Connection Manager
The Connection Manager is an Alloy Navigator Express tool for managing connections to Alloy Navigator Express. A connection defines which Alloy Navigator Express database to connect and what technician account to use for this connection. You may need to use the Connection Manager to import the Database Access Key when logging in to Alloy Navigator Express apps for the first time. For details, see Importing the Database Access Key.
Typically, you use only one connection that is provided by your Alloy Navigator Express administrator, and you do not need the Connection Manager to manage it.
Run the Connection Manager only when you need to fine-tune your existing connection (for example, to specify the network address of the SQL Server where your database resides) or to create additional connections. Additional connections are required if you work with more than one Alloy Navigator Express database or when you need to log in to the Alloy Navigator Express under different accounts (for example, when testing the workflow). When you have more than one connection, the Log in to Alloy Navigator Express window shows the Connection drop-down list, and you can choose the desired one when logging in to Alloy Navigator Express.
To create a connection:
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In the Log in to Alloy Navigator Express window, click Manage Connections to bring up the Connection Manager window.
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In the left pane, click the Plus button
. To create a connection by copying an existing one, select the original connection and click the Copy button 
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In the Name field, specify the connection name. This name will help you identify this connection when logging in.
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Under Technician Account, provide the credentials of the Alloy Navigator Express account that will access the database using this connection.
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If the Access Key section is empty, click Import and import the Database Access Key using the Access Key Import window. This populates fields in the Access Key and Database Connection sections with the values from the imported key.
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Under Database Connection, fine-tune the database connection details, if needed.
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In the SQL Server field, enter the network address of the SQL Server, which may differ from the SQL Server name specified in the Database Access Key.
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To enable support for TLS 1.2, select the Enable TLS 1.2 support check box. When the box is selected, the app will use Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server (MSOLEDBSQL).
NOTE: Using the MSOLEDBSQL driver is required when your SQL Server administrator upgrades to TLS 1.2 on the SQL Server, as recommended by Microsoft. For details, see Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server is disabled or missing.
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- Click OK.
Connection Manager window
Use the Connection Manager window to create new connections, modify the existing connections, or to delete the connections that you do not need.
TIP: To access the Connection Manager window, click Manage Connections in the Log in to Alloy Navigator Express dialog box.
The left pane displays all the connections that are available on the local computer, and allows you to create, copy, and delete connections.
The right pane displays the details on the selected connection:
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Name - the connection name.
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The Access Key section displays the details about the Database Access Key imported to your computer. Your Alloy Navigator Express administrator may need this information to identify the key and verify it.
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The Database Connection section displays the details on the database connection, and lets you fine-tune and test the connection:
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SQL Server - the network address of the SQL Server hosting the Alloy Navigator Express database (for example,
sqlserver.example.com) that the connection will use to access the SQL server from your local computer.IMPORTANT: The network address may differ from the SQL Server name specified in the Database Access Key. If the SQL Server instance uses a non-standard port, include the port number after the SQL Server's name, such as:
sqlserver.example.com, 3487. -
Database - the database name. Typically, this is the database specified in the Database Access Key.
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Enable TLS 1.2 support - configures the app to use the MSOLEDBSQL driver for secure connections to the SQL Server. This driver is required when the SQL Server uses TLS 1.2 for secure communication, as recommended by Microsoft.
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Test Connection - verifies the connection.
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The Technician Account section displays the details on the Alloy Navigator Express account:
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Authentication - the authentication type (either Windows Authentication or Standard Authentication)
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Username - the Alloy Navigator Express user name. For Windows Authentication, it is your current Windows user name.
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Password - the Alloy Navigator Express password.
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Advanced Login Screen - shows additional controls in the Log in to Alloy Navigator Express window. In the Advanced mode you will be able to specify a different SQL Server, database, or authentication type, if this choice is supported by the Database Access Key. Please contact your Alloy Navigator Express administrator for information to be used.
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