Implementing Elisoft Faktura on QNAP TS-251 with Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express

Hi, I have an idea but I don't know how to implement it. I use the ELISOFT FAKTURA invoicing program which uses Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express. Currently, all data is saved locally on my computer, I cannot use, for example, a laptop to issue invoices because I do not have a connection to the database on my desktop computer. My server on which the website is located does not have Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express.
I am a happy owner of the QNAP TS-251 recently. I came up with the idea to create a virtual machine on it, e.g. with Windows XP and install Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express, then create a database, copy data from a desktop computer and connect to the SQL database.
I read that Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express does not work on XP (I think) so what system do you recommend (as light as possible) for installation on QNAP and will it work at all?

nelik1987 wrote:

Currently, all data is saved locally on my computer, I cannot use, for example, a laptop to issue invoices because I do not have a connection to the database that is on my desktop computer

Connect the laptop to the base on your computer then.

OK, sure, what if I want to issue an invoice in the field at the customer? My goal is to store the invoice data on the server so that I can access it from the outside

Your own VPS server, put an OS on which you will install sql server, vpn server (e.g. openvpn) and you can connect to mysql wherever you want.

If you have a static IP and a good connection where sql server is now, you can also put a VPN server.

nelik1987 wrote:

OK, sure, what if I want to issue an invoice in the field at the customer? My goal is to store the invoice data on the server so that I can access it from the outside

Rather, on this QNAP it will fail. Although by some miracle you would install a Windows virtual machine under QNAP (under Linux, Unixes such things are possible, which does not mean that it will be easy), 1GB of ram and celeron j1800 will not allow MS SQL to work comfortably. VPS with Windows is not such a cheap thing, but also not very expensive.
I would leave the base on the stationary one, and connect the laptop to the corporate network via VPN, and when you are in this corporate network, connecting to the stationary MSSQL from your laptop should not be a problem.

bogiebog wrote:

... you can connect to mysql from anywhere.

Do not confuse MS SQL with mysql, because they are different systems, it could be easier with mysql.

djbpm wrote:

Do not confuse MS SQL with mysql, because they are different systems, it could be easier with mysql.

ms sql - single tcp port 1433, same as mysql, i have done this many times with mssql.

djbpm wrote:

I would leave the base on the stationary one, and connect the laptop to the corporate network via VPN, and when you are in this corporate network, connecting to the stationary MSSQL from your laptop should not be a problem.

I can just as well take my desktop computer to my car and fire it up at the client's ... after all, the point is that the desktop computer should not be turned on all the time.
The first thing I would do is to buy 1 GB of RAM because QNAP itself recommends 2 GB of RAM for VM and the original is 1 GB.
I'm just wondering what system to put, from what I've read, win XP is gone because there is currently no SQL Server 2012 Express with XP support, windows 7, 8 and 10 remain, or maybe something else? Is it possible to put the SQL Server 2012 Express server alone without Windows installed?

bogiebog wrote:

ms sql - single tcp port 1433, same as mysql, i have done this many times with mssql.

I mean, running mysql on QNAP will be easier than running MS SQL on QNAP because mysql is cross-platform.

nelik1987 wrote:

I can just as well take my desktop computer to my car and fire it up at the client's ... after all, the point is that the desktop computer should not be turned on all the time.

I did not know that leaving the computer turned on is as burdensome as unfastening it, taking it to the client, attaching it at the client's, then unfastening it, taking it to the company, attaching it, etc., but what do I know ... different, usually 20 - 150W, you can always wake on lan.

nelik1987 wrote:

The first thing I would do is to buy 1 GB of RAM because QNAP itself recommends 2 GB of RAM for VM and the original is 1 GB.

In fact, I read that QNAP supports VM, which is a bit of a shock to me. (But only the TS-251 + model) However, allocating less than 2GB of RAM to a VM with Windows and MS SQL is pointless, so buy more with 4GB, so that you can allocate with 3GB. I have already written about very low CPU performance, but you will be struggling with it and waiting for the base's response.

nelik1987 wrote:

Is it possible to put the SQL Server 2012 Express server alone without Windows installed?

There is MS SQL for Linux, but I don't know if it is stable, what is licensing etc. I had nothing to do with it. I think puki what, this is just a curiosity. Link . Whether you use Windows 7 or 8, 8.1 or 10 it will make almost no difference.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-vnext-including-Linux
+ Azure and the end of the topic.

Hi, I buried further in the topic and I was able to put MS SQL server on QNAP. I used a ready-made Docker + MS SQL set for this. So far it is stable, although I cannot open port 1433 to the world so that the database can be seen from the outside (via the internet). It works great in LAN.

nelik1987 wrote:

though I can't open port 1433 to the world

QNAP has the default gateway set correctly?

and here the stairs begin for me, virtual switches appear, etc. For QNAP I have 255.255.255.0 barma set, which is like in the router. I can get to the database via LAN, but only with MS SQL Manager. Unfortunately, not from the Invoice program.

OK, I was able to open the world after 1433 after changing the router to the one from UPC. Now everything works fine, although I have a problem because after setting up the server, login attempts with all possible usernames started immediately.

Is it possible to somehow protect against it?
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