User's Guide Part III. Using SQL Anywhere Chapter 29. Running Programs as ServicesAlthough SQL Anywhere applications such as the network server and database engine can be run like any other Windows NT executable, there are limitations to running them in this manner, particularly for the SQL Anywhere network server.
When you run a program, it runs under your NT login session: if you then log off the computer, the program terminates. As only one person can be logged on to Windows NT on any one computer at one time, this restricts the use of the computer if you wish to keep a program running much of the time, as is commonly the case with database servers. You must stay logged in to the computer running SQL Anywhere in order for the program to keep running. In addition to the inconvenience, this arrangement can present a security risk, as the NT computer must be left in a logged on state.
Installing an application as an service enables it to run even when you log off. For a full description of services and how to use them, see your Windows NT documentation. Several SQL Anywhere executables can be run as Services.
The following SQL Anywhere programs can be run as a service:
Not all these applications are supplied in all editions of SQL Anywhere.
When you start a service, it logs on using a special system account called LocalSystem (or using another account you specify). The service is not tied to the user ID of the person starting it, and is not stopped when that person logs off. A service can also be configured to start automatically whenever the NT computer is started, before any user even logs on.
Although you can control most aspects of services from the Services option in the Windows NT Control Panel, Sybase Central provides a more convenient and comprehensive way of managing SQL Anywhere services.