I’ve searched the web and this site and have found out it’s possible to connect a MS Access front end to a mysql back end. I am interested in taking my current database which is already split and change it to an access FE/ mysql BE.

Since I already have a split database, I downloaded a program that will convert my access database (Tables) to mysql. Now I am confused to where I can actually host my mysql database and access it remotely. My current web hosting company, does not allow remote connections to mysql databases, and a few others I’ve researched do not allow it either.

If anyone knows of a hosting service that allows for remote connections (free or paid) I would be greatly appreciative. Currently I have not been able to able test this format out because I don’t know where I can host my mysql database and I have no server. I am interested in this setup (Access FE/ mysql BE) so that I can access the same data wherever the FE is installed and not just on a local network. Thanks!

Just so you are aware- you don't have to have an actual server - if the demand is small, you could get away using a computer somewhere in your company to run the MySQL locally. Just an option.

One possible hosting company I'd look at would be Rackspace.

Well, my partners and I travel a lot during the year and actually spend a lot of time away from our small office. The biggest problem is that our ISP does not have an option for us to purchase a static IP address, so using vpn will not work for us. Tha is why mysql looks like the best option, currently our back end is on a network attached storage device (that we use inplace of an actual server). We have also tried Hamachi I believe, and although it works it's pretty slow and we have to keep a computer on at all times.

If anyone knows of a better solution I'm more than open, until then I will check out rackspace

this may be a year late but justhost allows remote mysql connections you just need to specify the ip address.