What this test does
This two-minute test checks whether your computer can reach your program's Biotics 6 database over the network. Run it if your ODBC connection test fails, especially with the error "server closed the connection unexpectedly" or a timeout.
Anyone can run it. You don't need administrator rights, and the test doesn't use your password or change any settings. It only checks whether the network path to the database is open. It doesn't test your login.
Run the test on Windows
Use the same computer and network you use to connect to Biotics. If you normally use a VPN, turn it on first.
- Click the Start button, type PowerShell, and click Windows PowerShell. A blue or black window opens.
- Find your database server name. It's in the Server field of your ODBC data source setup and ends in -db.natureserve.org.
- Type the command below, replacing the server name with yours, then press Enter:
Test-NetConnection your-server-name-db.natureserve.org -Port 5432- Wait 10 to 30 seconds for the results to appear. A short wait with a progress bar is normal.
Read the results
Look for the last line, TcpTestSucceeded.
Result | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
TcpTestSucceeded : True | Your computer can reach the database. The network isn't the problem. | In your ODBC setup, set SSL Mode to require and test again. If it still fails, contact the Help Desk. |
TcpTestSucceeded : False | Something is blocking the connection before it reaches the database. | Check that your current IP address is on your program's Biotics 6 whitelist. If it is, ask your IT department to allow outbound connections to your server name on port 5432. |
Name resolution failed | The server name is mistyped. | Check the spelling against your ODBC setup and run the command again. |
The RemoteAddress line shows the database's IP address, and SourceAddress shows your computer's local address. Neither is the public IP address you give NatureServe for whitelisting.
Run the test on a Mac
- Open Terminal (press Command + Space, type Terminal, and press Return).
- Type the command below with your server name, then press Return:
nc -vz your-server-name-db.natureserve.org 5432A result containing succeeded means the connection is open, the same as True on Windows. A result that hangs, times out, or says refused means it's blocked, the same as False.
If you get stuck
Some organizations block PowerShell on staff computers. If it won't open or shows a policy error, ask your IT department to run the test for you, or send them this page.
When you contact the Help Desk, include:
- A screenshot of the full test result
- Your public IP address from radar.cloudflare.com/tools, checked on the same computer and network
- A screenshot of your ODBC setup screen and the exact error message
- Whether you were on a VPN or a different network than usual