FFI Database Setup

1
FFI Database Setup
2
FFI Database Setup Discussion
Organizational Hierarchy
Managed in Database Administration
Database
Administration unit
Project
Managed in FFI
Macroplots and Sample Events
Macroplot
Sample Event
Plot1 SampleEventDate1 SampleEventDate2 SampleEven
tDate3 Plot2 SampleEventDate1 SampleEventDate2 Sam
pleEventDate3
Projects
Administration Units
Plot1 SampleEventDate1 SampleEventDate2 SampleEven
tDate3 Plot2 SampleEventDate1 SampleEventDate2 Sam
pleEventDate3
Database
3
FFI Hierarchy
Database A database is an integrated collection
of logically related records or files
consolidated into a common pool that provides
data for one or more multiple uses. (from
Wikipedia)
Administration Unit In FFI an administration
unit is an area that is managed as an individual
entity, Although multiple administration units
can reside on a computer, there is no
communication between them.
4
FFI Hierarchy
Project Macroplots are assigned to projects
although they are not static assignments. One
macroplot can be assigned to one or more projects
and the assignments can be changed when you want.
Macroplot Area where the data is collected.
Sample Event Date of data collection.
5
FFI Database Setup Discussion
Common Questions
Which should I have?...

• Single vs. Multiple Administration Units
• Single vs. Multiple Databases
• Projects
• Data Collection
• Analysis

6
FFI Database Setup Discussion

• Single vs. Multiple Administration Units
• Are units administered by the same group of
  people?
• Do you need to analyze data from different units
  together?
• Do units have similar species lists?
• Can FFI users share a database over an intranet
  or on a
• single computer?
• If answer yes to most of above questions,
  probably best to have one administration unit.

7
FFI Database Setup Discussion

• Single vs. Multiple Databases
• (If considering multiple databases, you will have
  multiple administration units.)
• Do FFI users for the different administration
  units need to work offline when not connected to
  the intranet?

8
FFI Database Setup Discussion

• Single vs. Multiple Databases - continued
• Do FFI users for the different administration
  units wish to manage their own backup files?
• If answer to either of above questions is yes,
  then probably best to use separate databases.
• Note If DB size exceeds 4GB, then must have
  separate DBs
• (if using SQL Server Express)

9
FFI Database Setup Discussion
Projects Data Collection / Data Analysis

• Data Collection Projects
• Group macroplots when collecting data
• Prescribed fire, treatment, etc.
• Easy to maintain edit data when grouped by
  original
• project for data collection
• Analysis Projects
• Create new projects at a later time
• Assign existing macroplots to new project
• Can pool data from existing projects for
  analysis,
• stratify data by treatment type, etc.

10
FFI Database Setup Discussion

• Isolated Computers as Servers
• Computers are not connected over an intranet
• SQL Server is installed on each computer
• Each FFI database is created on only one computer
• Data is not shared or synchronized among computers

11
FFI Database Setup Discussion

• Desktop as server
• One desktop (or laptop) is usually office-bound
  and on the intranet.
• SQL Server is installed only on this machine
• FFI databases are created only on this computer
• Other computers login to the databases over the
  intranet and can work simultaneously.

12
FFI Database Setup Discussion

• Limited Access Server
• FFI is not installed on the server
• A database administrator is willing and able to
  backup and restore FFI databases
• SQL Server is installed only on the server
• FFI databases are created only on the server
• Other computers login to the databases over the
  intranet and can work simultaneously.

13
FFI Database Setup Discussion
SQL Server Express installation for FFI has been
challenging for some users. There are some guides
and Web addresses on the FFI Google Group that
might be helpful if you have problems installing
SQL Express.
14
If you have questions when you are working with
FFI
User guides are available in Web, HTML and PDF
versions on the FRAMES Website
Post a message to our FFI Google Discussion group.
Send Duncan an email or give him a call
15
On-line Support
FFI on FRAMES General information, training
announcements, software, manuals,
etc. http//frames.nbii.gov/ffi
Google Discussion Group http//groups.google.com/g
roup/ffiemu
For general technical support contact Duncan
Lutes [phone] dlutes_at_fs.fed.us