DB-Switch

A console-based database switching utility for managing and mounting multiple Komax HMI databases using symbolic junctions.

Overview

DB-Switch simplifies the process of switching between different database versions by:

• Managing multiple database instances in a compressed format
• Creating and removing Windows junction points to mount databases
• Providing an interactive fuzzy-search interface
• Cloning and creating new database instances

First-Time Configuration

On first startup, DB-Switch will prompt you to configure the following settings:

Required Settings

1. BasePath: The base path where the Komax HMI installation is located

   • Example: C:\Program Files\Komax
   • The database will be mounted at: {BasePath}\Data\KomaxHMI\Database

2. DatabasesPath: The directory where all database versions are stored

   • Example: C:\Databases\AllDatabases
   • This folder should contain subdirectories for each database version

These settings are saved to appsettings.json and can be manually edited later.

Example appsettings.json

{ 
"UserSettings": { 
  "BasePath": "C:\Program Files\Komax", 
  "DatabasesPath": "C:\Databases\AllDatabases" 
  } 
}

Features & Usage

Basic Navigation

• Type to filter: Start typing to fuzzy-match database names or enter an index number
• Enter: Select the database when only one match remains, or select by exact index
• Tab: Apply current filter and narrow down the database list
• Escape: Reset filter and show all databases

Function Keys

Key	Function	Description
F1	Edit Mode	Toggle advanced edit mode for additional operations
F2	Create DB	Create a new empty database

Edit Mode Operations (F1)

When edit mode is activated, you can choose from the following actions for any database:

1. Select: Mount the selected database (same as normal selection)
2. Clone: Create a copy of the database with a new name
   • Prompts for a new database name
   • Creates a complete copy in the DatabasesPath
   • If cloning the currently mounted database, the HMI application will be closed

Create Empty Database (F2)

Creates a new empty database directory:

• Prompts for a database name
• Creates the directory structure in DatabasesPath
• Adds it to the available databases list

How It Works

Database Mounting Process

1. Unmount Current: Kills any running HMI processes and removes the current junction
2. Compress: Packs the current database into a .zip file for storage
3. Decompress: Unpacks the selected database (if compressed)
4. Mount: Creates a Windows junction point to the selected database directory
5. Ready: Database is now active and ready for use

Database Storage

• Databases are stored compressed (as .zip files) when not in use
• Only the mounted database is decompressed
• This saves disk space when managing multiple database versions

Display Information

The main interface shows:

• Currently Mounted Database: Displayed in red at the top
• Database List: All available databases with their index numbers
• MOUNTED indicator: Shows which database (if any) is currently active
• Highlighted Matches: Fuzzy-matched characters are highlighted in yellow

Requirements

• Windows OS (uses mklink command for junctions)
• Administrator privileges (required for creating symbolic links)
• .NET 8 Runtime

Notes

• The application automatically terminates the Komax.Program.KomaxHMI process when switching databases
• Database operations show progress indicators for compression/decompression
• Press any key to exit after a database is successfully mounted

Troubleshooting

Database not mounting: Ensure the application is run with administrator privileges

HMI process not found: The application will continue without error if the HMI process isn't running

Directory already exists: When creating or cloning, ensure the new database name is unique