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One of the differences between Pendragon Forms 5 and previous versions of the software is that Pendragon SyncServer is now built into Version 5. Pendragon SyncServer is the component of Pendragon Forms 5 that allows users to synchronize forms across a TCP/IP network.

When you choose a Typical desktop install in Pendragon Forms 5.1, Pendragon SyncServer will run as a Windows application on the user's desktop. The SyncServer starts when the user logs into the PC. In this condition, the SyncServer has the same network rights as the Windows user.

When you choose a Network Server desktop installation, Pendragon SyncServer is installed as a Windows service. The Windows service logs into the server operating system as the Local System Account as soon as the server boots up. It runs and continued to run even when no one is logged-in to the server. The advantage of this configuration is that the server can handle synchronization connections at any time, from any remote workstation, without anyone needing to be logged-in at the server.

However, if your Pendragon SyncServer is called upon to synchronize with an Access database on another machine, the Windows service may not have the same permission as the users to the Access database file. This is because the Local System Account does not have access to any network files so you will not be able to synchronize to the database.

What version of SyncServer comes with Pendragon Forms 5.0?

The free version of Pendragon SyncServer built into Pendragon Forms 5.0 allows one user to synchronize to the Pendragon Forms Manager database at a time (one concurrent user).

If you have multiple Forms licenses, you can still use the free version of SyncServer as long as only one user synchronizes at a time.

If multiple users need to synchronize simultaneously, you will need a SyncServer license. For more information, please see Pendragon SyncServer.

If this is the case, your HotSync log may have messages that look like this:

HotSync Log Excerpt:

ADO exception: 'D:\oncology\floor3\Forms3\FORMS32K.MDB' is not a valid path.

Make sure that the path name is spelled correctly and that you are connected to the server on which the file resides.

If you are experiencing these problems, there are two solutions.

You can specify a SyncServer logon with database directory rights.
You can also switch to the Windows Process version of SyncServer, which inherits the currently logged in user's rights instead of using the Local System Account by default.

Running SyncServer as a Windows Process instead of a Windows NT Service

The benefit of Pendragon SyncServer running as system service, the default installation for Windows NT, Windows XP or Windows 2000 machines, is that users do not need to log onto the server before they synchronize. Also, only users with Admin access can switch off the system service, reducing the likelihood of accidental shutdown.

You can switch from running SyncServer as a system service to running SyncServer as a Windows process instead.

Run SyncServer Tools. Click the Windows Start button ... Programs... Pendragon Forms 5.1... Pendragon SyncServer Tools

Click the Advanced tab

Click the Service Settings button.

Click the Uninstall/Install Service tab.

Here you'll see the two radio buttons, one for Windows Service, and another for Windows Process. Select Windows Process and click OK.

After a few seconds, you will be moved back one screen and you can exit the Tools.

Reboot your PC and try another synchronization after the reboot.

Changing the Login

You can change the login account that SyncServer uses.

Go to Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services.
In the list of services running on the machine, find Pendragon SyncServer 5.1 listed and right-click.
Select Properties
You will see a tab for Logon As. This is where you can set a different account name for the service to use when it logs in.

For more information:

See Appendix D: Pendragon SyncServer in the Pendragon Forms 5.1 Reference Guide.