Help working across two sites?

[PaulSpell]

I have a project to work on that involves one database (albeit two copies) between two sites. Basically the users from both sites need access to current info throughout the day. I realise that replication is a possibility (though not ideal for this application), but can anyone suggest a viable alternative? I have a vague recollection that Access struggles across a WAN.

Any ideas?

 

[John.Woody]

Hi Paul

If both sites have ADSL you may find a WAN acceptable. Other options include pcanywhere if just one person needs to access the data from the remote site. Another option if the host site has Windows 2000 server would be to use the termminal services and let users log on using remote desktop opening a new session on the server. More complex to set up but more efficient if several people need to use the db at the same time. I don't know all of the specifics but the more bandwidth the faster, the amount of RAM and processer performance is relevent depending on the number of concurrent users...

HTH
John

 

[PaulSpell]

There are less than 10 users. Perhaps WAN would be an option, but it'll be a costly mistake if it doesn't work (particularly for me)!

How does terminal services work?

 

[John.Woody]

When you buy Windows server 2000 you buy client licenses for the number of users who will log on to the system. You would have to buy terminal licenses for the number of people who would log on in that manor. When someone logs on they would get the windows front screen with user name and password required, then they would open a new session on the server getting their own desktop, and programs that have been set up for them. The number of people who can use terminal services depends on the users being set up and the licenses. I think i'm right in saying that terminal services can be accessed via a modem connection, but the fastest and most efficiant way has got to be broadband. The host site would have to have a fixed IP and the remote site users could access the host site using remote desktop connection and specifying the host site's IP and would then get the log in screen. Remote desktop connection comes with Windows XP but you can download versions for 2K and 98 from Microsoft. You may find that it is no cheaper to set up and probably more if you do not have a server available at present.

 

[PaulSpell]

Sounds good. If we had a 2Mbps broadband connection this should be sufficent I think.

Currently we use peer-to-peer, is that a problem do you think?

 

[John.Woody]

If you use peer to peer you havn't got a dedicated server with Windows 2000 server. This you must have and it doesn't come cheap. I think you should speak to someone who can install and configure a W2K server for further info and quote, they will know the ins and outs, I'm afraid I don't.

 

[PaulSpell]

Thanks for the advice.