Loading Report Files

Crystal Report (.rpt) files must first be placed in a folder designated as the Report Directory for the RAS. The RAS interacts only with reports in this folder and its subfolders. An "access denied" error results from attempting to access reports outside of this folder.

The RAS Configuration Manager sets the Report Directory. In a default installation, the Report Directory points to the location of the sample reports folder.

After setting the report directory, there are several ways to designate a report file.

For example, the ras prefix can be used:

ras://D:directory
eportname.rpt

The location on the RAS machine of reportname.rpt is given by this string.

It is not necessary to always key in the ras prefix because it is assumed by default; for example, c: eportname.rpt is assumed to be a path on the RAS machine.

The rassdk prefix also can be used like this:

rassdk://c:directory
eportname.rpt

Where RAS SDK is running on the machine, generally the Web application server, this string gives the location of reportname.rpt.

Because reports must be serialized and sent to the RAS for processing each time they are accessed, reports stored outside the RAS slow down performance. Therefore, to improve performance it is highly recommended that a local folder is used on the RAS machine for the Report Directory.