Overview

This article discusses for to initialize a new database or upgrade an existing database.



Prerequisites

  • A Forensic Tools installation
  • Either an MSSQL database installed as described in the Microsoft SQL Server 2016, 2017, & 2019 Install Guide, or a PostgreSQL database
  • The Exterro Self Host Service must be in a stopped state before attempting any of the steps below. Failure to adhere to this may result in data loss.

 

Procedure

Initialize a new database

  1. Launch the AccessData Database Configuration Tool, typically located at "C:\Program Files\AccessData\Forensic Tools\<version>\bin.DBConfig.exe", as Administrator.
    Note: If using MSSQL, DBConfig should be run by your service account, which should have the sysadmin role in MSSQL.
  2. Click Add Configuration
  3. Select the desired Database Type.

  4. Enter the Server Name and Port of your database, using a colon between the server/instance name and port. If your database is using the default port, you do not need to specify a port here.

  5. Do not change the Database Name / SID and Database Schema fields from their default values.

  6. If you'd like to set a custom password for Forensic Tools to use when communicating with the database, click the lock next to Internal Authentication Mode and select Database Authentication.
    Note: Using Database Authentication with MSSQL also allows you to select whether or not to Enforce the Password Policy for SQL Logins for Windows/domain.

  7. Check Create Database.

  8. If you are using PostgreSQL, do the following. Otherwise, set System Authentication Mode to Windows Authentication.

    1. Set System Authentication Mode to Database Authentication.
    2. Enter "postgres" in the System User field.
    3. Enter the PostgreSQL password in the System Password field.
  9. Check Install WordNet.
  10. Choose a username and password for your initial Forensic Tools administrator.
  11. Leave the Version dropdown set to its default value.
  12. Click Create.
  13. After database creation completes, check the Default box next to your database.
  14. Close DBConfig.


Upgrade an existing database

  1. Launch the AccessData Database Configuration Tool, typically located at "C:\Program Files\AccessData\Forensic Tools\<version>\bin.DBConfig.exe", as Administrator.
    Note: If using MSSQL, DBConfig should be run by your service account, which should have the sysadmin role in MSSQL.
  2. Highlight your database.
  3. Click Validate.
  4. Click Check Common Options.
  5. If you are using PostgreSQL, do the following. Otherwise, set Authentication Mode to Windows Authentication.
    1. Set Authentication Mode to Database Authentication.
    2. Enter "postgres" in the System User field.
    3. Enter the PostgreSQL password in the System Password field.
  6. Click Validate.
  7. Wait for the database validation to report successful completion.
  8. (Recommended) Create a full backup of all existing MSSQL databases.
  9. Highlight your database.
  10. Click Update Database.
  11. Select a Backup path. The specified path must be relative to the database server, and the account running the database service must have full access to that path.
    Note: If you've already created your own database backup, you can check No Backup Path.
  12. If you are using PostgreSQL, do the following. Otherwise, set Authentication Mode to Windows Authentication.
    1. Set Authentication Mode to Database Authentication.
    2. Enter "postgres" in the System User field.
    3. Enter the PostgreSQL password in the System Password field.
  13. Click Update.
  14. Wait for the database update to report successful completion.
  15. Close DBConfig.


Migrate AppDB Data (7.6 and newer, if coming from 7.5 and older)
Note: The AppDBs must be upgraded to 7.5.2 before using the Migrate Data function.

  1. Launch the AccessData Database Configuration Tool, typically located at "C:\Program Files\AccessData\Forensic Tools\<version>\bin.DBConfig.exe", as Administrator.
    Note: If using MSSQL, DBConfig should be run by your service account, which should have the sysadmin role in MSSQL.
  2. Highlight your database.
  3. Click Migrate Data.
    1. Set Authentication Mode to Windows Authentication.
    2. Click Start Data Migration.
    3. Wait for the migration to report successful completion.
  4. Close DBConfig.