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How to Start the QuickBooks Database Server Manager?

    • 2 posts
    February 27, 2023 10:53 PM PST

    QuickBooks Database Server Manager lets you share your company files with other computers over a network. It also helps you monitor your multi-user network. QuickBooks Database Server Manager is included with the QuickBooks desktop product.

     QuickBooks uses a location file, with the file name extension .ND, to keep track of where a QuickBooks company file is located for machines across the network. For every QuickBooks Company file, QuickBooks creates a companion file documenting the location of the QuickBooks company file. For example, a QuickBooks company file named “MyBiz.QBW” has a companion file named “MyBiz.ND”. The server manager helps to manage the creation and maintenance of these ND files.

    Note: The QuickBooks Database Server Manager replaces the QuickBooks Data File Scanning Utility that was used in earlier versions of QuickBooks.

    For more information on setting up a multi-user QuickBooks network, see articles Multi-User Installation Setup

    How to Start the QuickBooks Database Server Manager

    Completing a server-only installation of QuickBooks automatically launches the QuickBooks Database Manager Application. To manually launch the Server Manager, click the Start button on the Windows taskbar, point to Programs (or All Programs), then QuickBooks, and then click QuickBooks Database Server Manager.

    Note: This utility should always be running on the server while users are working with the hosted QuickBooks file. Make sure you restart the application when you restart the server (or add a shortcut for the server to the Windows Startup folder).

    The Server Manager window is composed of four tabs: Scan Folders, Monitored Drives, Database Server, and Updates.

    Scan Folders tab

    The Server Manager keeps track of company files with ND files. The Scan Folders tab lets you tell QuickBooks to scan a folder for company files and create appropriate ND files for them.

    To add a new folder to the list of folders to scan, click the Add Folders button. You can add or remove folders from the list as needed. When you’re ready to scan the folder, click the Scan button.

    Monitored Drives tab

    The Monitored Drives tab is where you tell QuickBooks which drives to monitor for new company files. While the Server Manager is running, if a company file is created or moved to a monitored drive, the Server Manager will detect the company file and create an ND file for it.

    In the Monitored Drives list, select the checkbox for each drive that you want to monitor. Clear the checkbox for drives that you no longer want to monitor.

    Tip: After you set up the monitored folders, you typically need update this list only if you add or delete drives or change the drive letters of existing drives.

    Database Server tab

    The Database Server tab displays reports on the status of the database server. It also indicates which release of the Database Engine is currently being used.

    Updates tab

    The Updates tab tells you which version of the Manager you are using and instructions on looking for and installing updates to the QuickBooks Database Server Manager.

    What is the QuickBooks Database Server Manager?: this issue or error code is a known issue in Quickbooks Online (QBO) and/or Quickbooks. Support for this issue is available either by self-service or paid support options. Experts are available to resolve your Quickbooks issue to ensure minimal downtime and continue running your business. First try to resolve the issue yourself by looking for a resolution described below. If it is a complex issue or you are unable to solve the issue, you may contact us by clicking here or by using other support options.

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