Setting up the database environment
Before you create data and users, plan how you want to set up the database and the user accounts. The topics in this section provide information about planning your database.
Locales and languages
The locale of your computer is your local language and the geographical location of your computer. For example, the locales French (France) and French (Canada) are distinct. Your locale determines how certain elements are displayed on your computer, for example the date format used by programs on your computer is derived from your locale.
Configuring the Rational DOORS database
The configuration of the Rational® DOORS® database is controlled in the database properties. Use the database properties to change the database name, to set database-wide defaults, and to configure the login and password policy, access rights, email, discussions, and so on.
Options for managing users and groups
Rational DOORS users and groups can be managed locally or using the Rational Directory Server. If you use Rational Directory Server, you can only manage a limited amount of information using the Manage Users menu option in Rational DOORS.
Access rights
Access rights control who can do what to each item of data in your Rational DOORS database. Rational DOORS provides five access rights: read, modify, create, delete, and admin.
Configuring Rational DOORS for server security
Server security is an improvement on the current Rational DOORS security model. The regular Rational DOORS security model provides a secure connection (with certificates) and client side authorization/authentication. When enabled, server security replicates a set of security checks on the server.
Security standard compliance for Rational DOORS Web Access
You can configure Rational DOORS Web Access to comply with standards that are specified by the US Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and National Security Agency (NSA) to define security requirements for encryption.
Configuring Windows user authentication
You can configure Rational DOORS so that users can log on by using Windows user authentication, which was introduced in 9.3.0.1. With Windows user authentication, users can log on to both Windows and Rational DOORS.
Configuring the Rational Directory Server
The Rational Directory Server is designed for user authentication and administration for Rational Lifecycle Solution tools. It is based on LDAP 3. You use the directory server to configure all your user information in one place.
Configuring the spell checker
Rational DOORS has a number of language dictionaries for checking spelling in formal modules. You can configure the spell checker to select the language you want to check spelling in, and the checking options that you want to apply. You can add words to the client dictionary or the database dictionary.
Configuring the registry and using command-line switches for the Rational DOORS client
When you start Rational DOORS, the registry determines which configuration settings to use. If you start Rational DOORS from the command line or from a shortcut, you can use switches to override the registry settings. You can also use the switches to add functionality to Rational DOORS.
Data backups
Use standard file system backup tools to back up the disk.
Use IBM® Rational DOORS archives
to make a backup of a particular module or project to protect against
accidental data loss. For example, if a user deletes and purges a
project, you can restore the project from your archive.
Data partitions
Create partitions if you want to send data to users of a different Rational DOORS database to be viewed or edited and then returned to you. If you include data that will be edited by the users in the other database, the data is locked in your database until it is returned and rejoined, or recovered.
Exchanging requirements with other databases
You can exchange requirements data with other databases
using the standard Requirements Interchange Formats. Rational DOORS supports
two Requirements Interchange Formats: ReqIF and RIF.
Checking database integrity
Rational DOORS relies on the underlying integrity of the network to complete certain database operations. If contact between the client and the server is lost while Rational DOORS, the integrity of the database can be affected.
Using Rational DOORS to manage your testing
If your project has testing requirements that are not complex, you can manage testing in a Rational DOORS module. To perform this task you configure the module for test tracking.
Managing the Rational DOORS database server
You can set a password for the database server, start and stop the database server, check user connections, and use the command line to perform actions on the database server.
Log files
Use log files to troubleshoot issues with Rational DOORS and Rational DOORS Web Access.