Configuring MSDE

The (MSDE) may be used as an alternative to SQL Server for DotNetNuke. This article aims to cover some of the points and information for setting up MSDE to operate with DotNetNuke.

How to test the MSDE installation

1. Select Start > Settings > Control Panel >Administrative Tools > Services and locate the MSSQLSERVER service. If its status is 'Running,' then SQL / MSDE is installed.
2. Select Start->Settings->Control Panel->ODBC Data Sources. Create a new data source using the 'SQL Server' driver. Specify the server name, username 'sa' and a blank password. Use 'master' as the default database. Click the 'Test Connection' button. If the test succeeds, then SQL / MSDE is running.

On my test machine I am using Microsoft SQL Web Data Administrator to configure MSDE, together with oSQL from the command prompt.

How to test whether the SA password is blank

Using oSQL the command is: osql -U sa

To test for the password on a named server: osql -U sa -S servername\instancename

When presented with the password prompt, press the Enter key.  If you receive the prompt 1> then no password was required and you have gained access.

References

• Microsoft SQL Web Data Administrator may be downloaded from here.
• MSDE may be downloaded from here.

NAT July 2005 (Revised)