This article applies only to the ADS version of AbacusLaw by CARET.

Use this procedure to recover AbacusLaw by CARET after a failure of a server. If you only want to migrate your data, please use this article instead.

It is assumed that you have a copy of your AbacusLaw by CARET data. If you do not have your AbacusLaw by CARET data, you can still install AbacusLaw by CARET, but you will have to use an empty database.

If you would like CARET to reinstall AbacusLaw by CARET, contact CARET Support.

On the New Server

1. Log in as an Administrator.
   
   
2. Ensure User Account Control is disabled.
   
   
   
   
3. Disable any antivirus, firewalls, or any other program that may impede the installation of the program.
   
   
4. If you have a backup of the entire Abacus directory, copy the entire folder onto the new server. If you do not, skip this step. Share the Abacus folder that you copied to the new server with full permissions for all users.
   
   
5. Download your version of AbacusLaw by CARET. When you run the installer, point to your current Abacus Directory or where you want the directory to be (for example, C:\Abacus, E:\data\Abacus).
   
   
6. After AbacusLaw by CARET is installed on the new server, open it.
   
   
7. If you are recovering from an AbacusLaw by CARET backup, follow the guide on restoring a backup and resume these steps once complete. If not, skip this step.
   
   
8. Click File > Register. The Registration for Abacus window opens. Enter your Customer ID and Firm name. Click Activate. If you get any registration errors, call Client Services at 1-800-726-3339.
   
   
9. If you installed the Advantage Database Server (Fortress), find the ads.ini file located in Abacus\v##\Programs (where ## = current version) and update the new server name and new server IP address if necessary. Open the ads.ini file in Notepad and make edits. 
   • Enter your server name in the brackets ( [ ] ).
   • Enter your server address for the LAN_IP setting.
   • For LAN_PORT, enter 6262 (LAN_PORT=6262).
     
     
     
     
10. Save and replace the ads.ini file.
    
    
11. Set the following firewall port exceptions if running the default Windows Firewall or any third-party firewalls:
    • 6262 UDP (Advantage Database Server)
    • 8006 and 8007 TCP (Abacus Update Service)

On Each Workstation:

1. Map the workstations to the new server. The mapped drive and path to the Abacus folder should be the same as the old server. If so, the program is ready to run. Otherwise, continue if the path has changed.
   
   
2. If the drive letter or path was changed, you will need to map a new network drive (to the new server name, NOT the new server's IP address) to that drive letter.
   
   
3. Navigate to the server Abacus\v##\Programs and run AbacusLaw WorkStation Standard Setup. The #’s represent the number of the version, for example, v23.
   
   
4. After the server migration is complete, check each workstation. Verify that all users can access the database and that all document links are still accessible.