Uni centa opos data transfer guide

Copyright uniCenta 2010 – 2018 ©
Database Transfer
Version 4.5.1
Jack Gerrard
January 2018

Foreward
The focus of this document is the data transfer from a previous version database to the current
uniCenta oPOS 4.5 database schema format.
Any uniCenta oPOS Beta version should not be used in a live production environment

Date Version Author Comment
June 2016 Beta1 Jack Gerrard Draft
July 2016 Beta2 Jack Gerrard Update
August 2016 Beta3 Jack Gerrard Update & Final
September 2016 Beta4 Jack Gerrard Update & Final
October 2016 4.2 Jack Gerrard Final
February 2017 4.2 Jack Gerrard Update & Final
May 2017 4.3.1 Jack Gerrard Update & Final
September 2017 4.4.2 Jack Gerrard Update
January 2018 4.5.1 Jack Gerrard Update & Final

Useful things
Editor Toolbar
You will see this toolbar is used throughout uniCenta oPOS so here’s a quick overview of what the
buttons do. The Editor Toolbar appears in all record management forms.
Tooltips
Lots of things in uniCenta oPOS use pop-up Tooltips.
All you have to do is hover your mouse pointer over a component for a second and it will give you
a brief description of what it does. Tooltips are constantly being added or revised as uniCenta
oPOS development progresses.
Current record
& Total records
Previous record
Next record
Refresh
Sort
Delete record
First record
Undo changes
Last record
Find
Add record
Save record

TRANSFERS
In versions prior to v4 upgrading uniCenta oPOS it was a matter of stepping through each new
release. So, for example if you were a user of v3.70 and wanted to move to 3.91.3 you had to
download and install 3.8, then 3.9, 3.91.1, 3.91.2 and finally 3.91.3
uniCenta oPOS 4 changed all that by including new functionality to transfer data from Apache
Derby Embedded, MySQL and PostgreSQL databases to the latest uniCenta oPOS version.
From version 4.5 we are gradually changing the way upgrades happen. In the past uniCenta oPOS
releases used what is called the dot sequence and went something like this; major-release.feature-
set.bug-fixes (4.4, 4.4.1, 4.4.2) where each iteration required a new full installer.
In the future users will only need to apply an update containing .bug-fixes which are applied to the
major-release.feature-set and not require the full installer.
Example:
Currently using v4.4.2 – use the Database Transfer tool
Currently using v4.5 – uses auto-Update
You do not have to use the Database Transfer tool to upgrade from v4.5 to v4.51(unless you
choose to) Importantly
The Database Transfer tool does not make any changes whatsoever to your existing database; it
just reads it.
It “imports” data from the source (your previous version) into its new database schema rather than
making changes to the existing source schema. The original database source data is preserved,
remains unaffected.
OLD WAY
NEW WAY
3.70 3.80 3.90 3.91 3.91.1 3.91.2 3.91.3
Derby to
MySQL
Upgrade
to 4.1
4.5
3.7x
3.8x 3.9x
4.x

OVERVIEW
STEPS:
CREATE A NEW DATABASE SCHEMA
Create a new MySQL database (schema) – unicentaopos is used as an example
throughout this guide - and any User Permissions if required.
If you already have a database schema named unicentaopos choose another name for example:
unicentaopos45
Refer to the MySQL manuals or use a tool like MySQL Workbench how to create a database
schema. Make a note of the name. You need this in the next step along with the MySQL Username
and Password. See our video page and watch the Workbench video
INSTALL 4.5 & CONFIGURE UNICENTA OPOS
After installing start uniCenta oPOS 4.5 and go to System>Configuration>Database Setup.
SWITCH TO NEW DATABASE SCHEMA
On the Database Setup tab: Test the connection to the MySQL server and select the
database schema (unicentaopos) you created in Step-1 from the dropdown list.
SAVE, EXIT & RESTART
On restart you will receive a pop-up message to create a new database.
Answer Yes
Log in as Administrator – the Database Transfer option should only be run by the
Administrator
Select and run the Utilities>Tools>Database Transfer

PREPARATION
The key to a successful transfer is to run it on a sufficiently capable machine. Running the Database
Transfer tool on a low-specification machine is not recommended.
Data transfer can be a computer intensive process and you need to make sure your machine has
the capability to do this.
Please take a look at the TEST SCHEDULE section at the end of this document. It provides a useful
guide to help you prepare for a successful database schema transfer.
MySQL’s default packet setting is 4MB which is fine for a text only database transfer but it will
quickly run out of steam where there are a significant number of images and or the accumulated
size exceeds that limit.
It is essential you make a MySQL setting change to the max_allowed_packet – see below how to
change – if you have used Product images.
Do not attempt to run the Database Transfer tool on a database if it is hosted remotely such as with
a web hosting company. You should only run on a locally hosted database or on your own internal
network machine.
If your database is remotely hosted; Make a copy (mysqldump) using a database admin tool such
as MySQL Workbench (Export) and run the Database Transfer locally. Once complete, copy back
to the remote host and Import into your hosted server.
If you are running uniCenta oPOS on several terminals which connects to a central database server
run the Database Transfer tool from a capable machine first and then upgrade uniCenta oPOS on
each of the other machines. You do not need to run the Database Transfer tool again.
IMPORTANT:
As always it is sensible to take a Backup of
uniCenta oPOS does not support MariaDB.
The following source database tables are not transferred during the Database Transfer process:
1. CSVImport – as this is transient data it is omitted
2. Resources – changes to scripts like i.e.: Printer.Tickets will need to be redone
3. Roles – new Permissions have been added
4. Any user modified, non-standard table or table column – these will likely cause error
messages and prevent the transfer FROM completing

If you receive an error message - similar to the snippet below - or the transfer process appears to
‘freeze’ for a long period the transfer has very likely to have failed and you will need to restart from
Step #1 after following the How to fix section below.
com.mysql.jdbc.PacketTooBigException:
Packet for query is too large (5098311 > 4194304). You can change this value
on the server by setting the max_allowed_packet variable.
How to fix:
Follow the uniCenta oPOS Database Transfer Guide and create a new schema using a DB
Admin tool – like Workbench – and immediately run this command against the new schema;
SET GLOBAL max_allowed_packet=50*1024*1024
The 50 value is just an example and you may have to experiment to get the right value as it
depends on the content of the database to transfer FROM.
Start uniCenta oPOS and run the Database Transfer tool against the new schema.
You can, of course, set this as a MySQL default in your my.cnf (Linux and Mac) or my.ini
(Windows). Please refer to the MySQL documentation how to do this.
If your MySQL database is located with a web hosting company you may need to discuss with
them how to set the MySQL configuration.
An online “How To” video is available https://unicenta.com/pages/upgrade-unicenta-opos/

DATABASE TRANSFER
The Database Transfer option is accessed from the pop-out main menu under
Utilities>Tools>Database Transfer

TRANSFER
The transfer process is a simple 1-2-3 step process
1 – Connect to the database source server
2 – Select the database to transfer FROM
3 – Start the transfer
1 – Connect to the database source server
Currently connected to :
Uses the current session’s database ‘unicentaopos’ As specified in PREPARATION : Step 1
PROGRESS
Activity list of each process
Database Type
Choose the database type to transfer FROM. Options available are Apache Derby, MySQL,
PostgreSQL
Default : MySQL
Driver Library
Automatically filled when selecting Database Type. No need to change unless absolutely
necessary.
Default : C:Program Files (x86)unicentaopos-4.5.libmysql-connector-java-5.1.39.jar

Driver Class
Automatically filled when selecting DatabaseType. No need to change unless absolutely
necessary.
Default : com.mysql.jdbc.Driver
Type
The database connection type
Default : jdbc:mysql:// ( must end with // )
ServerName:Port
The Server or IP address
Default : localhost:3306/ ( must end with / )
Options:If using Linux or Mac you will likely need to change localhost to 127.0.0.1
User
The User name to access the source database. It is recommended you use a MySQL User
which has full permissions for example: root
Generally Apache Derby Embedded databases are set without the need for a Username.
MySQL and PostgreSQL require a User name.
Password
The password for the User specified above.
Generally Apache Derby Embedded databases are set without the need for a password.
MySQL and PostgreSQL require a Password.
With all the above completed press the 1 CONNECT button to connect the Server
You can reset the form to its default settings by clicking the button.

On successful connection to the Server; a pop up message will appear. You’re Connected!
A lower panel will appear and you can now CHOOSE THE DATABASE TO TRANSFER FROM
POSSIBLE ERROR MESSAGES
The ServerName:Port is incorrect Incorrect User and/or password Database doesn’t exist

2 SET the database to transfer FROM
From Source DB
The dropdown list displays all the database schema available on the connected Server.
Choose the database you created earlier.
Parameters
You can specify additional MySQL connection options as required.
Default: ?zeroDateTimeBehavior=convertToNull
Having chosen the database schema to transfer FROM press the 2SET button.
Information from the source database is displayed:
DB Version - The version of the From Source DB
DB Size - The size in MB of the From Source DB
At this point is strongly recommended you compare the DB Size value and the capability of your
machine – see TEST SCHEDULE and the COMMAND LINE pages at the end of this document.
You can safely exit the Database Transfer tool at this point if required.
To clear any changes to the form’s lower panel; click the button to restore its default settings.

3 Start the TRANSFER
During the transfer process you will receive dynamic feedback from:
The PROGRESS List
Dynamically updated list of process events as they happen
The Memory State Bar
An animated RAM state bar updated every second.
Hover mouse over the bar to show Allocated, Max and Current RAM usage
The Progress Bar
Shows four main processing steps:
1. Starting - Getting things ready…
2. Running - Transferring your data…
3. Foreign Keys - As it says...adding foreign keys & etc…
4. Finished - Steps 1 – 3 completed successfully
You have the choice to continue with the database transfer or not.

DATA TRANSFER IN PROCESS
The Progress Bar may pause from time-to-time for several reasons for example; whilst the machine’s
hard disk writes the transfer data.
If it stops for an undue length of time; check the Memory Bar. If it is mostly blue then your machine
has possibly reached the JVM’s Maximum RAM settings and you will have to restart the Database
Transfer from Step-1
DATA TRANSFER COMPLETED

INDEX DATA PROCESS
When the transfer is complete the newly transferred data is immediately available and ready for
use, but it is recommended you restart uniCenta oPOS
Note: If the source database is very large – see the Memory State – it may have consumed a high
percentage of available (JVM) memory during the transfer process.
If it is beyond 50% it is recommended you restart uniCenta oPOS else performance may be
affected.
After restarting uniCenta oPOS it is advisable to check that everything is OK and all the data
transferred successfully.

TEST SCHEDULE
RIG
Machine HP Compaq 8100 Elite SFF
OS Windows 10 Pro
Type x64
Processor Intel Core i7 @2.80GHz
RAM 12GB
Disk 450GB SSD
uniCenta oPOS DATABASE TRANSFER TEST SCHEDULE
Source DB
Source
Vers. DB DB Size
RAM
Used Start Hr End Hr Elapsed Suggested min. JVM
*Openbravo 2.3.0 MySQL 984.71MB 7.1GB 12:53:00 14:06:00 01:13:00 -Xms256m -Xmx10248m
uniCenta 4.3.2 MySQL 302.21MB 4.12GB 14:30:00 14:39:02 00:09:02 -Xms128m -Xmx5124m
uniCenta 3.91.3 Derby 92.00MB 1.18GB 15:47:45 15:48:17 00:00:32 -Xms128m -Xmx2048m
uniCenta 4.3.2 MySQL 74.10MB 506MB 15:27:00 15:27:15 00:00:15 -Xms128m -Xmx1024m
NOTES:
All databases tested are from real uniCenta customers and live sites
Processing times will vary depending on machine TYPE and PROCESSOR specifications
SSD Disks are generally a lot quicker than mechanical disks
MySQL PROCESSING latency - WRITING to disk will continue for some minutes after the Database
Transfer completes. Check your machine’s HDD activity indicator. Write speed is dependent on the
combination of MySQL settings & Disk capability.
EXTRACT:
* Source DB Openbravo – 10 tables from a total of 37
TABLES RECORDS
categories 27
closedcash 9255
payments 221564
products 912
products_cat 453
receipts 221350
stockdiary 453037
taxlines 250845
tickets 221319
ticketlines 516801
1,644,718 records out of 1,864,226 total

COMMAND LINE
Windows
uniCenta oPOS is launched using a batch file named start.bat - it contains commands which are
fine for standard use, but you may need to change before running the Database Transfer tool
depending on the size of your database.
You can run uniCenta oPOS from the Command line and adjust memory allocation settings by
changing the JVM -Xms and -Xmx values.
The standard uniCenta Opos start.bat
start /B javaw -Xms512m -Xmx1024m -cp %CP% -
Djava.library.path="%DIRNAME%lib/Windows/i368-mingw32" -Ddirname.path="%DIRNAME%./" -
splash:unicenta_splash_dark.png com.openbravo.pos.forms.StartPOS %1
A Windows Command line example where the database to transfer FROM size is just under 1GB on
a machine which has 12GB of RAM:
java -jar -Xms256m -Xmx10248m unicentaopos.jar
Your settings should always allow 1MB spare for your Operating System if you change the -Xm
settings.
Linux / Mac OS X
The standard uniCenta Opos start.sh
java -cp $CP -Xms512m -Xmx1024m -splash:unicenta_splash_dark.png -
Djava.library.path=$DIRNAME$LIBRARYPATH -Ddirname.path=$DIRNAME/
com.openbravo.pos.forms.StartPOS

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