---
title: "Introduction"
canonical: "https://servicedesk.maxgeo.com/space/LogChief/1275363329/Introduction"
format: markdown
---
**First Run**

The first time LogChief is run, the user is asked to specify a LogChiefSystem Database.

LogChief uses its own Microsoft SQL Server database to store Configurations and User settings. The LogChiefSystem Database is usually created during the LogChief installation process, on the instance of SQL Server on the local machine or whichever you specify.

If you created one from the LogChief 3.1 installer while installing the software, select it's Server (the SQL Server where it is located - this should be a local server) & Database name through the **'Select existing LogChiefSystem Database...'** option, otherwise you can deploy a new LogChiefSystem** **Database by clicking the **'Create new LogChiefSystem Database...'** at the bottom of the form.

Note - From LogChief 3.1.5, we have removed the option to create LogChiefSystem database.

Type of Authentication you choose here is very important as LogChief uses that authentication type 

- to connect to LogChiefSystem Database
- to create Configuration Database
- to connect to Configuration Database
- to access MDS Database server and link that server to server where Configuration Database located

When creating the LogChiefSystem Database, remember to make sure that it is created on a **local instance of SQL**. If the LogChiefSystem is not on a local server then you will not be able to export** **Configurations, or use LogChief if the machine loses connection with the server.

Either way, click **OK** to proceed with running LogChief.

By default, it is **"Windows Authentication"** and looks like the screen below.

![image](media://78b2d75f-5ee7-4047-89b7-cca87967a629)

If change is to "SQL Authentication", the screen looks like

![image](media://269c2b21-d31c-4d68-9242-4d154699e3ad)

You need to provide a Username and Password. **"Remember Password**" check box is very important. If you deselect this, LogChief will ask for the password every time you open it.

If you are using "SQL Authentication", please make sure that the same "User Login" exist on the server where MDS resides as LogChief uses the same log-on details to access both SQL Servers.

If you are upgrading from a **previous 3.1 build**, LogChief will upgrade your **LogChiefSystem Database** so that you can use all the latest functionalities.

Normally a user will only have one LogChiefSystem Database; however, If you have more than one,