Link tables from web server to desktop

[Jay]

Is there a way to link my Access tables from my web server to my desktop
application? I've tried putting in the http path but it gives me a "Not a
valid file name." error.

Any suggestions?

- J

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

You can do this, but you need to first be able to browse to a directory on
the server. This means the server must expose the directory. You can use a
VPN to do this.

However, there is some serious reliability problems when you do that.
Regardless, you need to be able to "see" the actaull files to link to, just
like any shared directory.


You can check out my thoughts on using vpn with ms-access at:

http://www.attcanada.net/~kallal.msn/Wan/Wans.html

 

[Jay]

Albert,

All I really need it to do is display information for my reports. It's not
the long-term solution but just a short-term unil we finish our reports.
Would we need a VPN to do that?

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

Yes, you would to setup a VPN. You *must* be able to simply browse to the
mdb file like any other document on that server (word, excel etc). If you
can't browse to the dir and view the file, then you can't link to it...can
you?

If you have a web server, then perhaps those reports could be changed to a
few asp web pages, and then you don't need to link, or even need ms-access
on your local pc.

As mentioned, you did read my notes, and took important note of the
performance issues also...right? It is going to be very very slow. At the
end of my notes, I do give some solutions to the performance problems.

Check out:

http://www.attcanada.net/~kallal.msn/Wan/Wans.html

 

[Jay]

Yes, you would to setup a VPN. You *must* be able to simply browse to the
mdb file like any other document on that server (word, excel etc). If you
can't browse to the dir and view the file, then you can't link to it...can
you?

Perhaps I should've been more specific...

We are not linking to a mdb file. We want to link to a MSSQL database table
from a local machine running Access. Does that follow the same rule?

If you have a web server, then perhaps those reports could be changed to a
few asp web pages, and then you don't need to link, or even need ms-access
on your local pc.

As stated earlier, this is a temporary solution. The ASP reports (ASP.NET)
will be developed soon.

- J

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

Perhaps I should've been more specific...

We are not linking to a mdb file. We want to link to a MSSQL database table
from a local machine running Access. Does that follow the same rule?

No, linking to sql server is a different issue. You can certainly link to
the sql server database. (assuming that the sql server is exposed to the
web...which for security reasons likely is not). However, if the sql server
is exposed to the web, then you can link for sure (check with your admin.
You will need to be given permissions to do this).

Depending on your network setup, the odbc link might not resolve the
www.YouWebAddress.com correctly. Try setting up a DSN (use the ODBC 32
manager in the control panel). In place of the www adress, use the raw IP
addresss. You can then try and create a new linked table, and select ODBC to
link.

 

[Jay]

Thanks Albert!!!

I'll look into this.

- J

No, linking to sql server is a different issue. You can certainly link to
the sql server database. (assuming that the sql server is exposed to the
web...which for security reasons likely is not). However, if the sql server
is exposed to the web, then you can link for sure (check with your admin.
You will need to be given permissions to do this).

Depending on your network setup, the odbc link might not resolve the
www.YouWebAddress.com correctly. Try setting up a DSN (use the ODBC 32
manager in the control panel). In place of the www adress, use the raw IP
addresss. You can then try and create a new linked table, and select ODBC to
link.


--
Albert D. Kallal (MVP)
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.attcanada.net/~kallal.msn