I was initially planning on writing up a review of the new Statspack support in Toad version 9.5 for my next blog, but I wanted to make sure all of our Toad users were aware of the new installation process first!
There are a few things you need to know before you go to upgrade your copy of Toad. Let’s go over them very quickly so you can start using the latest and greatest copy of your favorite software program.
Choices, choices, choices
You now have your choice of 6 different installers you can download from Quest. Let’s figure out which one is the best for you.
1. Commercial Installer
Download this one if you have Toad Xpert, Toad Professional, or if you have DBA Module. It also includes the .NET engine which is required for the Quest SQL Optimizer – not Toad.
2. Commercial Installer – w/o .NET
Same as choice #1, but does not include the .NET engine. If you already have the 2.0 version of this, you will be fine.
3. Development Suite
This bundle includes Toad Xpert plus Quest Code Tester for Oracle and Benchmark Factory for Databases.
4. Installer
Download this if you have Toad Standard.
5. Read Only Installer
Download this if you want to distribute a version of Toad that is HARD-CODED to only allow Read Only access to your Oracle databases.
6. Silent Installation Utility
If you want to push the Toad MSI silently across your organization, you need to download this utility to get the standalone Toad MSI out of choices 1-5.
First Time User, or Upgrading?
If you are installing Toad for the first time, then you can pretty much click through the screens and take the default options. Once you’re finished, you’ll need to start Toad and input your license key.
If you are upgrading, or if you are installing version 9.5 and you want to KEEP your older, existing version of Toad – PLEASE CONTINUE READING.
The MSI prompts you for a installation point (2nd step, “Install Location”) that will be used as a base install folder for all of the products included in the installer, which could be as many as this:
1. Toad® for Oracle*
2. Benchmark Factory® for Oracle
3. Knowledge Xpert for PL/SQL
4. Knowledge Xpert for Oracle Administration
5. Quest® Code Tester for Oracle
6. Quest SQL Optimizer for Oracle
* However, if you already have a copy of Toad installed on your machine, the MSI will detect it and automatically assign THAT FOLDER for the location for 9.5 when it is installed. If you want to keep your older copy of Toad and install version 9.5 into a new folder, please pay attention to the next step.
On the ‘Product Selection” step, make sure to click on the “Update” red hyperlinked text. This will show you the exact type of installation (Local, Network, Citrix) you are doing, AND it shows you the Installation Directory!
Since I already had version 9.1 installed, it by default will try to upgrade that copy of Toad. This is probably OK for most users, but it is something you should be aware of, especially since this COULD conflict with what you supplied for “Install Location” dialogue.
I generally like to keep a copy of every release of Toad ever put out, so this is important to me. For other users I generally recommend installing the new version of Toad beside their current version to evaluate it, and if they decide they like it, to then upgrade their older copy so they can keep their existing options and settings.
Don’t Forget to Read the Documentation!
How many of us techies read the instructions or user’s manuals for our new electronic toys or even our cars? I don’t. Well, I don’t until I run into something I can’t figure out. The Toad team puts SO MUCH into each version of Toad that you should really spend at least 5 minutes reading the Release Notes. This will show you what’s changed, what’s new, and what’s fixed for the latest version.
You’ll want to go to the Documentation section in Quest SupportLink to see all of the Toad documentation available. From here you can read a much more in-depth discussion of how to use the MSI, how to use the new Toad Policy Server, and get the product Getting Started and User’s Guides.