Need to migrate from file server to web

[Alan Fisher]

I have several databases created using Access 2000 which
are all split and all BE's are on a file server. The
problem I have is that I need to make the BE's accessible
via the internet. My customer is the Air Force and I have
a Captain in charge of all IT issues who insists I can
just place the tables on a web sever and connect to them
using the existing front end's. I have tried to explain to
him that that is not possible. I need to explore the best
way to migrate my databases to be web accessible. I am
thinking a SQL backend using the existing front ends. I
know there will be a learning curve but I want other
opinions on which is the best route to take. I will
explain what the databases are used for to give you as
much info as possible.

Maintenance Database: Used to collect information on
several hundred items such as radars,generators, radio's
etc. All down time is reported in increments of 15 minutes
and a lot of analysis is reported back to the customer.
Tons of business rules are in place and I am in the
process of securing it now. About 40 users regularly
update data and about 20 users are read only. Data
imporancte is pretty high but it wouldn't be the end of
the world if BE was to get corrupt and not fixable. Just
use the previous days tape backup, a real pain to all
those that had to repost data.

Also there is an Operations database used to track all
operations and report effectiveness rates. As with the
Maintenance there are quite a few users updating data with
a few read only types. Lots of reports and analysis.

Quality Control database used to track training and
inspections on systems and personnel.


Any ideas will be very helpful. TIA!!

 

[Tim Ferguson]

I have several databases created using Access 2000 which
are all split and all BE's are on a file server. The
problem I have is that I need to make the BE's accessible
via the internet.

Possible, yes; advisable, definitely not. Jet is a file-sharing system, not
a client-server one.

Check out the cheap or free versions of SQL Server -- like SQL Express or
MSDE etc -- and consider using ADP's or ODBC to connect. An even braver
approach, if you are really stuck for cash, is a public-domain db engine
like MySQL. The best method is probably going to be a full blown www
browser application, using a local web server. IIS comes free on Win NT
servers and you can use ASP which is very like the VBA you already know.
Again, if the money is a problem, there are any number of free versions,
and free languages like perl, php, python etc that you would have to learn.

Hope that helps


Tim F