See Advanced Topics.
We do not recommend hosting multiple databases from one web server (e.g., third-party hosted server, such as Amazon RDS) unless a capable IT in involved and they fully understand what is required during updates.
- In IIS, create a New Application on the desired web site.
- Copy all files from the Open Dental installation directory into the root of the new application.
- Edit the OpenDentalServerConfig.xml to point to a different location.
Updating with Multiple Middle Tiers
We do not recommend using one web server to host multiple databases because the update process is not automated. Thus, it is easy to have different versions of the Middle Tier hosted on one server.
Option 1
Multiple Open Dental Directories
- Stop all OpenDent services. (OpenDentalServices and OpenDentalEConnectors; actual service names may vary).
- Launch Open Dental as administrator from a directory that was not already updated.
- Connect to whichever database is linked to that folder. (i.e., If the folder is for Dr. X, connect to Dr. X's database).
- Select OK when UpdateFileCopier asks to update your version of Open Dental.
- Repeat steps 1-3 for each additional Open Dental Directory.
The UpdateFileCopier does not copy over the OpenDentalEConnector or OpenDentalService folders, so go through the steps for Multiple eConnector Folders below.
Multiple eConnector Folders
- Stop all OpenDent services. OpenDentalServices and OpenDentalEConnectors; actual service names may vary.
- Launch any Open Dental and follow the normal Update process. Make note of which Open Dental directory is being updated.
- Copy the contents (Except the OpenDentWebConfig.xml and Logger folder) of the OpenDentalEConnector folder from the default Open Dental directory.
(e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\Open Dental\OpenDentalEConnector).
- Browse to the OpenDentalEConnector folder in the new Open Dental Directory.
(e.g., C:\Program Files (x86)\Open Dental\OpenDentalEConnector_DrX\ or \Open Dental DrX\OpenDentalEConnector\).
- Make a copy of the config file (hold 'Ctrl' and drag it lower in the same folder) and rename it to prevent accidental loss of vital setup information.
(e.g., OpenDentalWebConfig_bak.xml).
- Paste the contents from the default eConnector folder into this one and allow it to replace the files when prompted.
- Uninstall (if applicable) then reinstall each Open Dental Service and eConnector. Make sure to use the same naming convention you took note of when you uninstalled all the eConnectors and Open Dental Services.
- Repeat these steps for the OpenDentalService(s) as well.
- Start all OpenDent services and all of the services that were stopped in Update all databases, Step 1.
Option 2
For advanced IT professionals only.
Multiple Open Dental Directories
- Check to make sure all services are stopped. You may need to disable the services if you have a Task Scheduler to start the service if stopped.
- Using 7zip, extract the opendental.msi from the Setup File or download the MSI directly from the Setup, Update, Download MSI.
- Use msiexec.exe in an elevated command line to install the MSI to a separate folder: msiexec /a C:\TempOD\opendental.msi /quiet /qn TARGETDIR="C:\TempOD\OD"
- Copy the entire contents from the C:\TempOD\OD\Program Files\Open Dental\ to each directory where Open Dental is currently installed.
Multiple eConnector Folders
- Check to make sure all Services are stopped. You may need to disable the services if you have a Task Scheduler to start the service if stopped.
- Using 7zip, extract the opendental.msi from the Setup File or download the MSI directly from the Setup, Update, Download MSI.
- Use msiexec.exe in an elevated command line to install the MSI to a separate folder: msiexec /a C:\TempOD\opendental.msi /quiet /qn TARGETDIR="C:\TempOD\OD"
- Copy the entire contents from the C:\TempOD\OD\Program Files\Open Dental\eConnector to each directory where the service program is installed.