Overview :: SAS/ACCESS(R) 9.3 Interface to PC Files: Reference

PC Files Server Application

PC Files Server is an application that receives client requests to access Microsoft Windows-specific data files, such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access. It runs on both 32- and 64-bit Windows as either a 32-bit or a 64-bit application.

To access PC data, SAS/ACCESS Interface to PC Files must be installed on the client. The server must be installed and running on the Windows PC where the PC data resides.

PC Files Server Interaction

PC Files Server Operating Modes

Starting with SAS/ACCESS 9.2, the server can run in two modes: Server Mode as a desktop application (available before SAS/ACCESS 9.2), and Service Mode as a Windows service. Only one instance of the server can be running on a single PC at any given time.

The behavior of the PC Files Server is determined during installation and configuration. Areas of operation that are configured include operation as either 32- or 64-bit, the port number used for TCP/IP server connections, and the parameters to start the PC Files Server as a Windows Service or a desktop application.

PC Files Server Installation

PC Files Server Application Modes (32-bit versus 64-bit)

The application mode is automatically determined by any existing ACE driver; otherwise, it defaults to 32-bit.

Starting in SAS 9.3, PC Files Server can be run as a 64-bit Windows application on 64-bit PCs. It is important to note that the associated ACE driver (the ODBC driver to access the supported PC file types) must be of the same “bitness” (32 or 64) as the PC Files Server. Starting with Microsoft Office 2010, the ACE driver is supplied in either 32- or 64-bit form. The “bitness” of the PC Files Server installed is determined by any existing ACE driver. If none is found, then the 32-bit ACE driver is automatically installed, along with 32-bit PC Files Server.

If you have a need to force the installation of a particular “bitness” of PC Files Server, ensure that you manually install the appropriate ACE driver first. Please note that only one version of the ACE driver can be installed on a given system. You cannot install both the 32- and the 64-bit ACE drivers. The same applies to PC Files Server.

Port Number Selection Dialog Box

Starting with PC Files Server 9.3, the default port number used for TCP/IP server connections has changed from 8621 to 9621 in order to avoid a conflict with another SAS product. LIBNAME and PROC IMPORT and PROC EXPORT commands default to PORT=9621 if the PORT option is omitted. PC Files Server must use the same port number that you expect the SAS/ACCESS commands to use. We suggest using the new default of 9621. Or, you can change it to suit your specific needs.

Windows Service Start-up Selection Dialog Box

Check this option to automatically run PC Files Server as a Windows Service in the background. This is the default and actually starts the service and sets the service start-up type to “automatic.” To run PC Files Server manually as a desktop application, ensure that this option is cleared. Please note that only one instance of PC Files Server can run at a given time. You cannot run PC Files Server as a Windows Service and a desktop application at the same time.