Wouldn't it be great if you could have access to your Genie data on your laptop every time you need to go offsite? With Genie Database Replication you can take your data with you to other locations to see patients, or simply to catch up on work at home.
Database replication is the process of synchronising the data from the Genie Server machine onto another computer, e.g. a laptop, for use without an active internet connection.
Before you begin
There are a number of factors to consider before utilising database replication.
- Genie v8.5.9 is the minimum Genie version required to use database replication, but you should ensure you're on the most recent version of Genie to ensure maximum stability when replicating the data.
- The person using database replication requires a password on their user account
- The computer to be used should have an Ethernet port for a wired internet connection (see the page on WiFi vs Ethernet for info on why).
- A database replication can be run when other users are logged into Genie.
- If multiple users would like to replicate the data, they will need to co-ordinate with each other as only one database replication can be performed at a time. Ensure each replication is complete before proceeding with the next one.
- The first database replication can take some time to complete, so you should ensure you have time to configure and run the replication process. This generally depends on the size of your data file, your internet/network connection, and the hardware in use.
- Reasonable space on the machine to be used; if you require the images to be copied, this can take a large amount of space on your computer and can drastically increase the time for the first replication to complete.
- Ensure the SQL Server has been set to launch on startup. This will ensure in the event of a Server restart/update, the SQL Server is launched automatically. This can be found in the Genie Server application under Edit > Database Settings > Structure Settings/User Settings > SQL Server tab, and will also need to be ticked under the User Settings for the Data File option in Database Settings.
To begin, you will need to ensure both Genie Client and Genie Solo have been installed on the laptop. To obtain an installer for your current version and OS, please see our Downloads page.
Once you have obtained an installer, please run this and proceed through the prompts. When asked to ‘Select Destination Location’ it should default to C:\Genie\ on Windows or Macintosh HD: Applications: Genie on Mac. You may change the destination if required.
In the select components window, install Genie Client, then run the installer a second time, and from Full Installation install Single User Application and Data File. You may then select the ‘Next’ button, review the install details, and select ‘Install’ to proceed with installing the relevant items.
Once Genie Client, Genie Solo and the blank data file have been installed, launch Genie Client and log in as your Administrator.
Once logged in, please navigate to File > Maintenance & Reports > Administrator. While holding the Alt/ Option key, click on Create Data Copy Script. In the window that appears select Enable Replication and allow the replication to be enabled and the SQL Server to be turned on. Once complete, Replication Enabled and SQL Server Enabled should be green.
If either of the green lights display as red, this indicates an issue with the replication settings. Please see the Troubleshooting section below for tips on resolving this.
If both options are green, you may select the ‘Export the Server Configuration’ button and will be prompted that the replication settings have been saved. You can select OK on this alert, then close the Replication Settings window, as well as the Maintenance & Reports window. Navigate to File > Quit to exit Genie Client.
Now that you have completed the initial configuration for Database Replication, you can launch Genie Solo. Because a blank data file was installed, you will initially be prompted to choose your practice type; your selection at this stage is not important, as it will shortly be overwritten. Choose a practice type, then select OK.
You will then be prompted “Would you like to synchronise your Solo database with the Server database?”. To proceed with replicating, select Yes, otherwise, select No.
Once you select Yes you will receive a Genie Database Replication window similar to below. Since you selected the option to Export the Server Configuration earlier, the Genie Server IP Address and SQL Port will be pre-populated, as well the Genie Username. As such, you will only need to enter the password for the specified user. To ensure these settings are correct, select the Test Server and Test Login options.
As this is the first replication, you will need to ensure that Full Replication is selected. If you require a copy of your images while offsite, set this to All. As mentioned earlier, this can add time to the initial replication.
After reviewing all settings, you can select the Start Replication button, and will receive the below alert. This alert means that the data file created earlier will be overwritten. As the original data file was a placeholder and not your live database, select Yes and the replication process will begin.
While the replication is running, you will see a window as below to reflect the progress of the process. This may take some time to complete as it is the initial replication.
Once the database replication is complete, you will receive the below alert. It is recommended that you select Restart to launch Genie Solo again and ensure that the database was successfully replicated.
After completing the Full Replication, future replications will only require your data to be updated to retrieve anything that has changed since the initial replication was completed. This time when presented with the Genie Database Replication window, select Synchronise the Local Database. As this only transfers changes to the data since the last replication was taken, the process will be quicker to run since there should not be as much data to transfer. You can additionally select the option for only copying New images. In short, synchronising the database fills in the gaps in your copy of the data.
Using Genie While Offsite
Please follow the below steps each time you wish to use offsite logging:
- When you are ready to begin Offsite Logging, launch Genie Solo on your laptop and log in.
- Depending on your user preferences, Genie may prompt you to begin Offsite Logging. This can be enabled by ticking the Remind me to start Offsite Logging option within File > User Preferences >General tab.
- Select Yes to begin Offsite Logging.
- Alternatively, you can enable Offsite Logging by browsing to File > Start Offsite Logging.
- Genie will alert you that Offsite Logging has begun successfully. You may now start using Genie.
- When you have finished Offsite Logging, simply close Genie Solo.
Important Note: If logging has not been started successfully, then Genie will be unable to track the changes you are making and you will then be unable to import them into your live database. Genie will tell you if it is logging using the following windows:
| Logging |  |
| No Logging for X Time |  |
| Not Logging |  |
Note: Certain features of Genie are unavailable or limited while using Genie in Offsite Logging mode. For a list of Offsite Logging’s features and limitations, please see the Genie online manual.
Importing Offsite Logs
- Upon returning to your usual consulting rooms, reconnect your laptop to the network.
- Launch Genie Client on your laptop and log in as normal.
3. Genie should prompt you to import your outstanding Offsite Logs. Click Yes.
4. Alternatively, you can manually import Offsite Logs by browsing to File > Import Offsite Log.
5. Allow Genie to synchronise the changes.
For a list of features and limitations when using Database Replication and Offsite Logging, please see our Offsite Logging Features & Limitations article.
Common issues and troubleshooting
The database replication process is one of Genie's more complex features, as it involves aspects of Genie Client, Genie Solo, and Genie Server in order to function. Because of this complexity, problems can occur from time to time; these issues are infrequent, but can be difficult to understand and resolve without some guidance.
Listed below are some of the more common issues we see cropping up when using Database Replication. Click through the links to the in-depth articles that will assist you with resolving this problems when they occur.
The prompt to synchronise the Solo database does not appear
When trying to replicate, you'll be relying on the below prompt to access the Database Replication Wizard.
If this prompt isn't appearing and you need to run your replication, this article will help you get things moving.
'Unable to connect to the Genie SQL Server' alert
If you receive the error below when trying to replicate, you'll be able to resolve any issues by reading through this article.
Fewer Records in Local Database Alert
On occasion, you may receive an alert that reads "The number of records in the local database is lower than the number of records in the Server database". For more information on this error, please refer to this article.