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Error: "Unable to connect to server: server name. The server cannot be found"

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Summary

When starting Sage 100 Advanced or Premium, you may see this error. Your server name will appear in the place of "server name."

Description



Cause

  • Incorrect Server Name, IP Address, or Port
  • Network DNS issues
  • Firewall Security
  • "Session.pvk" is corrupted (does not apply to Sage 100 ERP Standard edition)

Resolution

CAUTION: This solution requires advanced knowledge of Windows security and network settings. Sage isn't responsible for any issues that may arise from changes to these settings. Back up all system and application databases needed for a complete restoration. Consider contacting a certified consultant or your system administrator for assistance.


Verify that the correct IP address or server name was entered during workstation setup.

  1. Browse to the "..\MAS90\Launcher" folder on the workstation.
  2. Open the Sota.ini file.
  3. Locate the [Servers] section. The IP address or server name is listed after the following text: "1="

    Example: 1=ServerName;10000;APS=SAGE;APPLICATION=Sage 100 ERP;Path=\\ServerName\ShareName\MAS90
  4. If the IP address or server name is incorrect, Enter the correct Server Name or IP address or uninstall and then reinstall Workstation Setup.
  5. Verify the port is open (not blocked by a firewall).
  6. Verify the IP address or server name and port were entered correctly in the icon properties
    1. Right Click Sage 100 ERP workstation client icon and select properties
    2. In the Target confirm the server name or IP address and port are correct
      Example: "..\MAS90\Home\pvxwin32.exe ../launcher/sota.ini *Client -ARG "ServerName or IP address" "Port" "Sage 100 ERP"
      ("..\MAS90\Home\pvxwin32.exe ../launcher/sota.ini *Client -ARG "MyServer" "10000" "Sage 100 ERP")
      ("..\MAS90\Home\pvxwin32.exe ../launcher/sota.ini *Client -ARG "192.168.1.1" "10000" "Sage 100 ERP")

If Port, ServerName, or IP Address have been verified correct in the above steps, this message can occur if an Inbound Rule and Outbound Rule has not been created for the Sage 100 (formerly Sage 100 ERP) port on the Windows 2008 or 2012 Server, under Windows Firewall Advanced Security.

  1. Open Administrative Tools, Windows Firewall with Advanced Security console
  2. In the left pane of the console, select Inbound Rules
  3. Right-click select New Rule
  4. Select Program on Rule Type screen
  5. Click Next
  6. In the Program dialog box, select 'This program path.' Click the Browse button and browse to your '\...\MAS90\Home\' folder (i.e. C:\Sage\Sage 100 Advanced\Mas90\Home\)
  7. Double-click 'pvxwin32.exe'
  8. Click Next twice
  9. On the Profile screen, select the desired Network Profile(s) to apply settings (Domain, Private, Public)
  10. Click Next
  11. Enter Name and Description for Rule (i.e. 'Sage 100 (10000)')
  12. Click Finish
  13. Create an OutBound Rule following steps above.

Replace the "Locate.pvk" and "Sessions.pvk"files (for Sage 100 Advanced or Premium editions only):

  1. Have all users exit Sage 100 ERP Advanced or Premium
  2. Stop the Application or Service running Sage 100 ERP
  3. On the Sage 100 Advanced server, rename the "Locate.pvk" and "Sessions.pvk" files found within "..\MAS90\Home\ Lib\_Appserv", folder where Sage 100 ERP is installed by adding "-Old" to the end of the filename.
  4. Open Application Server Configuration from the Windows Start Menu
  5. New "Locate.pvk" and "Sessions.pvk" files are automatically recreated and the original grid restored
  6. If Sage 100 ERP is run as:
    • an Application, log back into Sage 100 ERP
    • Stop the Application, Start the Service, and log back into Sage 100 ERP


Additional information:

Note: if server name is used on workstation shortcut and in the SOTA.INI file, it is possible to change this to the IP address (if there are DNS issues resolving Server name) or if IP address is changed, use the Server name instead.

See section referring to confirming the IP address/Server name but change the values instead between ServerName/IP address in the SOTA.INI and Sage 100 workstation shortcut properties.

(it is also possible to uninstall/reinstall the Sage 100 workstation with the changed value but this would require using UNC path with the new Server Name or IP address to be used).


DocLink: How to uninstall Workstation Setup for Sage 100
DocLink: How to install Workstation Setup for Sage 100

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