Attach a database

There are three ways to attach a database to use in Touchstone.

As a Touchstone user, you may periodically receive a database to attach for various business reasons. You may receive an exposure database, a results database, or a CEDE database. You can attach databases via the Data Source Manager in Touchstone, via APIs that we provide, or via a script that we provide.

The APIs enable you to automate the process of attaching databases. For technical SQL users, we provide scripts that can be used to attach databases. Documentation about the scripts is available on our Client Portal. The scripts enable you to create, register, attach, unregister, detach, and upgrade databases. For assistance with APIs or scripts, contact our technical support team.

Touchstone databases include two files, an .MDF and an .LDF. Copy the files into the default Database folder on your SQL Server. After the files are copied, you can use the Data Source Manager to attach the database. The status of the databases will be "ONLINE".

Note:

To find the location of the database folder, open SQL Server Management Studio, right-click on the server name, select Properties, and then select Database Settings in the left panel. The Data field in the Database default locations area specifies the MDF folder path and the Log field specifies the LDF folder path. If you only have an MDF file (no LDF file), you can only attach the database through SQL Server Management Studio; after attaching it, you can register the database through Data Source Manager. The attached database is available for registration by default. If you receive an "Access Denied" message, you may have to fix inherit permissions on the file. If you are unsure, contact Technical Support because they can add inheritance to folder permissions to resolve the access issue.

Procedure

To attach a database via Data Source Manager:

  1. Launch Touchstone.
  2. Access the Data Source ManagerManaging data sources.
  3. Click in the Database Name field of the blank row with the white Add icon.

    The field becomes editable.

  4. Enter a database name.
  5. Select the database type (RES for Result or EXP for Exposure).
  6. Click in the MDF Path field, click the Browse for File or Browse for Folder icon, and then navigate to the database server that contains the database that you want to attach.
  7. Select the MDF file and then click Open.
  8. On the ribbon, click Attach and then press Enter.

    The database you attached moves to the next row.

  9. Click Refresh.