How to make the default AutoDiscovery and Layout database portable in Visio 2000 and in Visio 2002 (308017)

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To make a database portable, you must first create a new database, quit and then restart the AutoDiscovery and Layout solution, select the new database, and then perform a network discovery. Typically, you cannot use a newly created database with an existing network diagram. You must create a new diagram. However, you can move a backup copy of an existing database and its associated network diagram to another computer on which Visio is installed.

To complete the replication of a backup copy of an AutoDiscovery database and associated network diagrams, copy the backup file name.mdf database file and the drawing files to the new computer or share, open the AutoDiscovery and Layout Solution, retrieve the database, and then open a new blank drawing. You can now close the solution and open the network diagrams that are associated with the retrieved (portable) AutoDiscovery database.

You cannot export and retrieve the default AutoDiscovery and Layout database if it is the only database that is created in Visio or if the database is in use by the Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE). You can back up the default AutoDiscovery and Layout database only if another database exists in Visio and is in use by MSDE. When you use multiple databases, each database must use a unique name.

NOTE: You must quit Visio to unload an AutoDiscovery database from MSDE or Microsoft SQL Server.

How to Make the Default AutoDiscovery and Layout Database Portable

To make the default AutoDiscovery and Layout database (Adl.mdf) portable, back up the database and any network diagrams that are associated with it. You can then retrieve the database and its network diagrams from another computer on which Visio is installed. To do this, use the following methods.

Back Up the AutoDiscovery and Layout Database

To back up the default AutoDiscovery and Layout database, follow these steps:

1. Start Visio.
2. On the File menu, point to New, point to Network in Visio 2002 (or Network Diagram in Visio 2000), and then click AutoDiscovery and Layout.
   
   The AutoDiscovery and Layout solution starts. Do one of the following, as appropriate to your situation:
   • If the Select Database dialog box is not displayed, the default AutoDiscovery and Layout database is the only database that exists, and it is currently in use. You must create a new database before you can back up the default AutoDiscovery and Layout database. To do this, follow these steps:
     1. On the AutoDiscovery menu, point to Configuration, and then click Manage Databases.
     2. In the Manage Databases dialog box, click Create.
     3. In the Name box, type a name for the new database, specify a location for the database in the Location box, click OK, and then click Close.
     4. On the File menu, click Close.
     5. On the File menu, point to New, point to Network in Visio 2002 (or Network Diagram in Visio 2000), and then click AutoDiscovery and Layout.
     -or-
     
     
   • If the Select Database dialog box is displayed, proceed to step 3.
3. In the Select Database box that appears, select any database except for the AutoDiscovery and Layout database, and then click OK.
4. On the AutoDiscovery menu, point to Configuration, and then click Manage Databases.
5. In the Manage Databases dialog box, click ADL, and then click Back up.
6. In the Backup Database dialog box, specify the location in which to back up the database, click OK, and then click Close.
7. Quit Visio.

Move the Backup Copy of the AutoDiscovery and Layout Database to the Destination Computer

Move the backup copy of the AutoDiscovery and Layout database files and associated network drawings to a new folder on the hard disk of the destination computer.

Retrieve the AutoDiscovery and Layout Database

On the computer from which you want to retrieve the database, follow these steps:

1. Start Visio.
2. On the File menu, point to New, point to Network in Visio 2002 (or Network Diagram in Visio 2000), and then click AutoDiscovery and Layout.
   
   The AutoDiscovery and Layout solution starts. You must first delete the default AutoDiscovery and Layout database before you can retrieve the backup AutoDiscovery and Layout database. To delete the default AutoDiscovery and Layout database, open the AutoDiscovery and Layout solution by using a database other than the default AutoDiscovery and Layout database.
3. In the Select Database box that appears, select any database except the AutoDiscovery and Layout database, and then click OK.
4. On the AutoDiscovery menu, point to Configuration, and then click Manage Databases.
5. In the Manage Databases dialog box, click ADL, and then click Delete.
6. Click Retrieve.
7. In the Retrieve database dialog box, specify the location of the backup copy of the AutoDiscovery and Layout database in the Source box.
8. In the Destination box, specify the location that you want for the retrieved database.
9. Click OK, and then click Close.

For additional information about how to use the AutoDiscovery and Layout solution in Visio 2000, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For additional information about how to use Visio, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: