Before you can use PAtools to create tests, you must set up a database to store your tests.

Restoring a Database Backup

To set up a database on a SQL Server, use PAexpress to restore a database backup.

You can restore the database backup that you were given. If you want to build an application, PAtools includes a database that you can use. The PAtools base application provides modules and templates to help you start building an application. If you want to use the base application, enable the Base Application option when installing PAtools. If installed, the database for the base application is in the PAtools application folder.

If you want to use the battery application, enable the PAtools Battery Software Suite option when installing PAtools.

Before restoring a database backup, set up the SQL server. Refer to Setting up the SQL Server for more information.
Note Ensure that the machine running PAexpress has network access rights to update and backup databases on the SQL server. Check with your IT department if you are unsure about access rights on your machine.
Note You can only use PAexpress if the SQL server is running on Windows or a Windows server. If you cannot get network access, you can restore the database using SQL Server Management Studio. You can also use the SQL Server Management Studio to restore the database if the SQL server is set up in a cloud server.
  1. Copy the database backup file to the machine where you installed the SQL server.
    • If you are using the database for the base application, copy P17206_06_BASE_<version>.zip from C:\Program Files (x86)\National Instruments\PAtools <version>\Base Application
    • If you are using the database for the battery application, copy P17223_01_BATT_<version>.zip from C:\Program Files (x86)\National Instruments\PAtools <version>\Battery Application
  2. Open PAexpress.
  3. Click the folder icon next to the Server field.
    A Connecting to SQL Server window appears.
    Note If you cannot connect to the database, verify with your IT department that you have access rights to connect and restore the database.
  4. In the Connecting to SQL Server window, enter or select your Database server.
  5. Click OK.
    Note To restore a database backup, you must have access rights. If you cannot connect to the SQL server using PAexpress, verify with your IT department that you have the required access rights.
    The SQL Server appears in the left pane of PAexpress.
  6. Click Restore database.
  7. In the Select backup file field, click ... next to the Filename field.
  8. Select the database backup file that you copied to the machine with the SQL Server.
    The Restore options section automatically populates with information about the database.
  9. Optional: In the Database name field, rename the restored database.
  10. Click Restore.
    A popup confirms successful restoration of the database.
  11. Use PAconfigurator to ensure the appropriate PAtools users have administrator rights for the database.
    Refer to Manage Users for more information.
You can validate the new database by refreshing the SQL server in the SQL Server Management Studio.

Importing a Database Module

Use PAconfigurator to import database modules.

If you were given a database module that you want to import to PAtools, complete the following steps:
  1. Open PAconfigurator.
  2. Click Development.
  3. Right-click the location where you want to import a database module and select Import.
    For example, import a database module to Application Components.
  4. Select the database module that you want to import.