Installation for Windows

Before using ExpeDat software for the first time, verify that you have a working network path and that you have downloaded the correct package for your operating system.  Make sure that you "Extract" files from the package: do not attempt to browse or run files from within a Zip archive.

Server Installation

These instructions are for installation of the ExpeDat server software as a Windows Service.  If you do not have access to an administrative account or only wish to perform a quick test of the server software without installing it, see the Server Command Line section below.

If this is the first time servedat has been installed on this system, and you do not customize its configuration, it will run with the following defaults:

• Users will authenticate using the same username and password as they would for a desktop logon (System Authentication).
• The default Home Directory for each user will be their system profile folder.
• All users may access other folders by specifying an absolute path such as E:/Disk1 in the client.  Access is limited by system permissions the same as if they were logged into the server desktop.

If you wish to configure other modes of user authentication, see the Adding Users section.  If you wish to make other configuration changes, see the Configuration File section.  Most users use the defaults for their first time installing servedat.

To install servedat as a Windows service, without modifying its configuration, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the server as a local Administrator.  Avoid installing server software while logged into a domain account as this may cause registry conflicts.
2. Verify that there are no command-line instances running: only one servedat may run at a time.  Existing Windows Services instances (from prior installs) will be replaced automatically.
3. Extract the "expedat" distribution package and open the "Server Files" folder.
4. Right click on Install Servedat.bat and select "Run as administrator".
5. Confirm any security prompts.
6. If you are installing a free trial or upgrading an existing license, answer 'n' when prompted for a license code.  If you are installing a newly licensed server, or changing the license code, enter 'y' and type the license code when prompted.  Make sure the license code matches the host machine you are installing upon.
7. Check the installation output for any errors or warnings.  Open "Shortcut to servedat.log" in a text editor and scroll to the bottom to check for errors or warnings.

If you are running third-party anti-virus software, make sure to white-list servedat and configure the AV software to delay scanning new files until after they have finished writing.  See the Performance section for more details about AV software.

After successfully installing servedat, you may proceed to Client Installation to test that it is accessible.

Running Install Servedat.bat does not change any servedat.cf or svpasswd.txt files which may already be installed.  If you wish to replace those files with the ones in your "Server Files" folder, right click on Install Config.bat or Install AuthFile.bat and select "Run as administrator".  The best practice is to keep canonical copies of servedat.cf and svpasswd.txt someplace safe.  When you want to make changes, copy the modified files back into the "Server Files" folder and run Install Config.bat or Install AuthFile.bat to install them.

After installing changes to servedat.cf, you must either restart the ServeDat Windows Service, or reinstall servedat.  After installing changes to svpasswd.txt, servedat will automatically reload the file in about one minute, unless you have changed the AuthReload option in servedat.cf.

If you need help, select and copy the entire contents of any installation windows and the C:\ProgramData\DEI\servedat.log file, and email them to support@dataexpedition.com along with your questions.  Tech Note 0012 contains tips and troubleshooting advice for the most common problems.

Server Command Line

Alternatively, the server can be run directly from the command shell for scripting, embedding, or testing purposes.  From Windows explorer, drag servedat.exe to the folder you wish to serve and double click on it.  From a command shell or PowerShell, type "servedat.exe" followed by the path to the folder you wish to serve.

servedat only supports running one process at a time.  If you receive a "port already in use" error, then it is already running as either a service or another command-line instance.  Likewise, running servedat on the command-line will prevent the ServeDat service from launching.

When run as a non-admin user with no authentication options specified, clients will not be allowed to specify usernames and may access only the contents of a single folder.

Client Installation

ExpeDat Desktop, DropDat, and movedat are fully self-contained: no installer program is required.  Typically, you would copy ExpeDat Desktop and DropDat to your Start folder or desktop.  The first time you run a client under Windows 10, you may receive a warning from Windows Defender.  This is due to the embedded configuration features of ExpeDat Desktop and DropDat.  Click "More Info" and then "Run Anyway" to enable the clients.

The DropDat master may prompt you for a license code the first time you run a licensed copy of it.  Droplets and other clients do not normally ask for their license codes, but can do so under rare circumstances.

To install WebDat, simply double-click on the "Install WebDat" icon and affirm any security prompts.

Installation Components

Server related files are found in the "Server Files" folder of the distribution package.

servedat.exe	The server executable.
servedat.cf	This file is used to customize the server.  See the Configuration File section for step-by-step instructions.
svpasswd.txt	A sample user database file for private authentication, also known as an AuthFile.  See the Adding Users section for step-by-step instructions.
Install Servedat	Right-click and select "Run as Administrator" to install the ExpeDat server as a Windows Service.  For non-trial software, have your license code ready.
Install Config	Right-click and select "Run as Administrator" to copy the servedat.cf file into your %SYSTEMROOT% folder.  This is only necessary if you have modified servedat.cf.
Install AuthFile	Right-click and select "Run as Administrator" to copy the svpasswd.txt file into your %SYSTEMROOT% folder.  This is only necessary if you have modified svpasswd.txt.
UnInstall Servedat	Right-click and select "Run as Administrator" to shutdown and remove the server service.
mtping.exe	A diagnostic utility for testing and monitoring servedat.
mkpasswd.exe	A password hash generator for securely storing passwords in svpasswd.txt.
Shortcut to servedat.log.lnk	Right-click, select "Open with", and choose a text editor to view the server log.

Client related files are found in the "Client Files" folder of the distribution package.

ExpeDat Desktop.exe	The graphical client.  Copy to any convenient location, such as your desktop or start menu folder.  You must run "ExpeDat Desktop.exe" once after copying or moving it to enable Web Integration.
DropDat.exe	The configuration master for creating droplets and embedding settings in ExpeDat Desktop.  Copy to any convenient location, such as your desktop.
movedat.exe	The command line client.  You may copy movedat.exe to any location convenient for executables, preferably one in your %PATH%.
movedat.cf	A sample configuration file for movedat.  This may be useful for remembering frequently used options.
Install movedat Config	Right-click and select "Run as Administrator" to copy the movedat.cf file into the folder %APPDATA%\DEI.  This is only necessary if you have modified movedat.cf.