# Double-booting system behavior

Derby prevents two instances of itself from booting the same database by using a file called db.lck inside the database directory.

If a second instance of Derby attempts to boot an already running database, the following error messages appear:

    ERROR XJ040: Failed to start database 'firstdb', see the next exception
    for details.
    ERROR XSDB6: Another instance of Derby may have already booted the
    database /home/myself/DERBYTUTOR/firstdb.

In addition, a stack trace appears in the derby.log file.

If you need to access a single database from more than one Java Virtual Machine (JVM), you will need to put a server solution in place. You can allow applications from multiple JVMs that need to access that database to connect to the server. The Derby Network Server is provided as a server solution. For basic information on starting and using the Network Server, see Getting Started with Java DB. See the Java DB Server and Administration Guide for more information on the Network Server.

Parent topic: Derby system
Related concepts
Booting databases
derby.properties
Recommended practices
The database directory