Move MultiUser Access Database onto Terminal Services

[David Robinson]

Can anyone tell me if there are any inherant problems running a multiuser (max 15 at one time) Access Database over terminal services? I'm worried this may give file lock issues, but by using terminal services it would revolutionise the access to the system.

Currently the database is split into a front and back end and sat on a shared network. All users have the mde for the front end on their hard drives and this accesses the backend data on the server via the linked tables.

Any help on whether terminal services would work would be much appreciated!!

Dave
Systems Developer

 

[Chris Mills]

There was an MSKB or TechNet article for Access2000 "Terminal Services
Application Compatibility Notes", but they've shifted it without a
satisfactory forwarding URL!!!
-this may be it, as it mentions a required transform file (search for
"transform")
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/win2kts/deploy/compat/tsapp.mspx

Apart from that, I have many customers running satisfactorily on Terminal
Server or Citrix Metaframe, though I'm only peripherally involved.

I believe the FE should be installed separately in each user's work area,
though like any network it is possible to share an FE if the FE allows it (for
instance, provided you don't get users with conflicting printer settings,
whatever).

I don't recall any file lock issues, any more than other networked
environments. I would also say, Terminal Server or Citrix Metaframe appears to
have been much more stable/few problems, than I could ever have imagined,
apart from some transform required to install A2k. It's so stable I haven't
needed to know much about it!!!

Chris

Can anyone tell me if there are any inherant problems running a multiuser

(max 15 at one time) Access Database over terminal services? I'm worried this
may give file lock issues, but by using terminal services it would
revolutionise the access to the system.

Currently the database is split into a front and back end and sat on a

shared network. All users have the mde for the front end on their hard drives
and this accesses the backend data on the server via the linked tables.

 

[Van T. Dinh]

I am running an Access Front-End using ODBC-linked SQLServer Tables as well
as Jet-linked Tables using Citrix MetaFrame with more than 50 users but
averaging about 10-12 users on-line at any given time. The only problem I
found is printing, especially InkJet printers using USB connection going
over slow links.

Each user can also have a separate Front-End mde on the Term. Service Server
/ Citrix also. See Tony Toews' AutoFEUpdater:

http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/autofe.htm

--
HTH
Van T. Dinh
MVP (Access)

Can anyone tell me if there are any inherant problems running a multiuser

(max 15 at one time) Access Database over terminal services? I'm worried
this may give file lock issues, but by using terminal services it would
revolutionise the access to the system.

Currently the database is split into a front and back end and sat on a

shared network. All users have the mde for the front end on their hard
drives and this accesses the backend data on the server via the linked
tables.

 

[Tony Toews]

Can anyone tell me if there are any inherant problems running a multiuser (max 15 at one time) Access Database over terminal services? I'm worried this may give file lock issues, but by using terminal services it would revolutionise the access to the system.

Currently the database is split into a front and back end and sat on a shared network. All users have the mde for the front end on their hard drives and this accesses the backend data on the server via the linked tables.

Any help on whether terminal services would work would be much appreciated!!

Works well. Chris and Van have posted almost everything I was going
to say too. But also see my random thoughts on Microsoft Access,
Terminal Server and/or Citrix
http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/terminalserver.htm

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm

 

[Chris Mills]

The only problem I found is printing, especially InkJet printers

Hmmm...I discourage inkjet printers, in fact the client is on their own if
they use one.

This has nothing to do with terminal services, nor even windows, it's
because...The Water-Based Ink Smudges!
(admittedly, my app prints signable official forms)
(admittedly, some printers or paper don't)(I've sat with a client and spat on
them -the paper that is- to demonstrate, my theories promptly crashed when it
didn't smudge!/I knew I should have practised first)

But the techo thing, is that there are so many printer-drivers with bugs in
them, even HP ones, that most or all laser printers can at least run another
driver, such as a standard HP Laserjet PCL driver. I always get a customer to
install an HP Laserjet 4 Plus (supplied with Windows not earlier LJ4 crap), or
a LaserJet III, if they have printing garbage. A printer can be driven by
different drivers at the same time, for instance a special one just for my
app.

 

[david epsom dot com dot au]

This 'shared file' problem lists a June 2003 hotfix, so no idea if has been
fixed in a service pack or is still a problem:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=818528

We don't use shared files: but we do notice a major difference in skill
levels between different clients. /They/ need to know how to set up local
printers for Citrix clients, 'cause /we/ are just database developers.

(david)

Can anyone tell me if there are any inherant problems running a multiuser

(max 15 at one time) Access Database over terminal services? I'm worried
this may give file lock issues, but by using terminal services it would
revolutionise the access to the system.

Currently the database is split into a front and back end and sat on a

shared network. All users have the mde for the front end on their hard
drives and this accesses the backend data on the server via the linked
tables.

 

[David Robinson]

Firstly thanks for the post, it is most helpful. The only part that has me stumped is the requirement for a separate FE per user. Being a 'software developer' and not a network expert (never used terminal services), how do you get it to use a separate front end per user over TS?

 

[David Robinson]

Firstly thanks for your response, most helpful and reassuring. Not sure exactly I'm supposed to get a separate front end per user over terminal services though? Could you clarify some more possibly? (sorry i've never used terminal services and have little networking knowledge as just a lowly Developer).

 

[David Robinson]

Firstly thanks for your response, most helpful and reassuring. Not sure exactly I'm supposed to get a separate front end per user over terminal services though? Could you clarify some more possibly? (sorry i've never used terminal services and have little networking knowledge as just a lowly Developer).

 

[David Robinson]

Firstly thanks for your response, most helpful and reassuring. Not sure exactly I'm supposed to get a separate front end per user over terminal services though? Could you clarify some more possibly? (sorry i've never used terminal services and have little networking knowledge as just a lowly Developer).

 

[David Robinson]

Firstly thanks for your response, most helpful and reassuring. Not sure exactly I'm supposed to get a separate front end per user over terminal services though? Could you clarify some more possibly? (sorry i've never used terminal services and have little networking knowledge as just a lowly Developer).

 

[David Robinson]

Firstly thanks for your response, most helpful and reassuring. Not sure exactly I'm supposed to get a separate front end per user over terminal services though? Could you clarify some more possibly? (sorry i've never used terminal services and have little networking knowledge as just a lowly Developer).

 

[Van T. Dinh]

Did you check the link I posted???

--
HTH
Van T. Dinh
MVP (Access)

Firstly thanks for your response, most helpful and reassuring. Not sure

exactly I'm supposed to get a separate front end per user over terminal
services though? Could you clarify some more possibly? (sorry i've never
used terminal services and have little networking knowledge as just a lowly
Developer).