PHDwin Version 3 Installation Guide and IT Resources

A single-user unlock license file allows a single individual to access PHDwin V3 on a single machine. Access to the software is limited to the computer on which the software is installed.

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**.MSI does not include SQL Server Express or any of the PHDwin V3 dependencies.**

1. V3 .exe (Executable File): A V3 .exe file is an executable file that contains all the necessary installation files and instructions within a single executable file. When you run a V3 .exe file, it launches a setup wizard that guides you through the installation process. This type of file is commonly used for standalone installations, where the installation process and required files are contained within the .exe file itself.
2. V3 .msi (Microsoft Installer): A V3 .msi file is a Windows Installer Package file. It is specifically designed for use with the Windows Installer technology, which provides a standardized and consistent way to install, configure, and remove software applications on Windows operating systems. An .msi file contains a package that includes all the necessary files, resources, and instructions for the installation process.

Compared to a .exe file, an .msi file provides additional capabilities, such as the ability to customize the installation process, perform administrative installations, and support features like repair and uninstallation through the Windows Installer service. In summary, the key difference between V3 .exe and V3 .msi lies in the installation method and the capabilities provided by the respective file formats. A .exe file is a standalone executable that guides you through the installation, while an .msi file is designed for use with the Windows Installer technology, allowing for more advanced installation and management options.

System administrators can use the V3 .msi file to perform silent installations, which means the installation process runs without any user interaction or prompts. This is useful when deploying software to a large number of computers simultaneously, as it allows for automated and unattended installations.

Additionally, the .msi format supports customization options, allowing administrators to modify the installation behavior, set default configuration settings, and apply specific policies during the installation process. It also provides features like repair and uninstallation, making it easier to maintain and manage software installations across multiple machines.

Overall, the V3 .msi file is intended for use by IT professionals who are responsible for software deployment and management in enterprise environments or large-scale deployments.

System administrators can use the V3 .msi file to perform silent installations, which means the installation process runs without any user interaction or prompts. This is useful when deploying software to a large number of computers simultaneously, as it allows for automated and unattended installations.

Additionally, the .msi format supports customization options, allowing administrators to modify the installation behavior, set default configuration settings, and apply specific policies during the installation process. It also provides features like repair and uninstallation, making it easier to maintain and manage software installations across multiple machines.

Overall, the V3 .msi file is intended for use by IT professionals who are responsible for software deployment and management in enterprise environments or large-scale deployments.

The PHDwin License Server is a component of the PHDwin software that manages the licensing and usage of PHDwin within an organization. It acts as a central server where licenses are stored and distributed to users who want to run PHDwin.

In the context of the PHDwin License Server, licenses refer to unlock codes that are associated with a specific software license owned by an organization. These unlock codes are unique codes or keys that enable the organization to use PHDwin software.

When an organization purchases a license for PHDwin, they receive unlock codes that correspond to the specific license agreement they have. These unlock codes are then stored in the PHDwin License Server. Each unlock code is linked to a single license, allowing the organization to activate and use the software on the specified number of machines or for the agreed-upon number of concurrent users.

The PHDwin License Server acts as a repository for these unlock codes. When a user wants to use PHDwin, they connect to the license server and request a license. The license server checks the availability of licenses and, if a license is available, grants permission to the user to access and use the software.

In this way, the unlock codes, which are essentially licenses, are managed by the PHDwin License Server to control and regulate the usage of PHDwin within the organization. The license server keeps track of the number of available licenses, the number of users currently logged in, and any licenses that have been checked out or reserved, ensuring that the organization complies with the terms and conditions of their license agreement.

So, in summary, licenses in the context of the PHDwin License Server are represented by unlock codes that are associated with a specific license owned by an organization, and the license server manages the distribution and usage of these licenses.

When a software application like PHDwin V3 is installed using the .msi (Microsoft Installer) package, there are certain external components or dependencies that the application relies on to function properly. These dependencies may include other software packages, drivers, or frameworks that are necessary for the application to run.

In the case of PHDwin V3, the following items are listed as dependencies:

1. Earlier versions of SQL (2016 or later): PHDwin V3 requires a specific version of SQL (Structured Query Language), and the users need to install it manually. The link provided  directs users to the Microsoft website where they can download and install SQL 2019 (scroll up for download links).

2. msodbcsql13 driver: This is the Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server. ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) is a standard interface that allows applications to connect to various database systems. Users need to manually install the msodbcsql13 driver, and the provided link directs them to the Microsoft download page for this driver.

3. .NET Framework 4.8.1: The .NET Framework is a software framework developed by Microsoft that provides a large library of pre-coded solutions to common programming problems and manages the execution of programs written specifically for the framework. In this case, users need to install version 4.8.1 of the .NET Framework, and the provided link leads to the official download page.

4. C++ 2015 Redistributable: This refers to the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015. It is a set of runtime components required to run applications developed with Visual C++ on a computer that does not have Visual C++ 2015 installed. Users need to manually install this redistributable, and the provided link directs them to the Microsoft documentation page where they can find the download.

The reason these items are listed as manual installations is that the .msi installer for PHDwin V3 does not have the capability to automatically check for or install these dependencies. Therefore, users are instructed to download and install these components separately before or after installing PHDwin V3 to ensure that the application functions correctly.