ASA Database Administration Guide
The Database Server
The database server
Database server options
To prompt the user for the encryption key upon starting a strongly encrypted database.
{ dbsrv9 | dbeng9 } -ep ...
The -ep option instructs the database server to display a dialog box for the user to enter the encryption key. This server option provides an extra measure of security by never allowing the encryption key to be seen in clear text.
When used with supported tools, this option always prompts the user for the encryption key, even if a key is not necessary. If the dialog box prompt appears and you know that a key is not necessary, you can click Cancel to continue.
When used with the engine, this option prompts the user for the encryption key only if all of the following are true:
the -ep option is specified
the engine is either a Windows personal server, or the engine is just starting up
a key is required to start a database
the engine is either not a Windows service, or it is a Windows service with the interact with desktop option turned ON
the engine is not a daemon (UNIX)
dbsrv9 -ep -x tcpip myencrypted.db
Encryption connection parameter [ENC]
Encrypting client/server communications