Multiple Users - Shared Folders

[dazza61]

Hi there,

This is probably easy for most but my knowledge of Networking and Access in a multiple-user environment is limited...

We currently have 7 Users utilising a split FE/BE Access application designed by myself. All machines are running Windows XP Professional. We don't have a dedicated server but simply put the BE on one PC and each user has a FE on each machine which links to the backend (as recommended from these forums)

All was fine until we recently added a new machine running Vista Home and we put the BE on this machine, re-linking everyone's FE's to the BE's new home.

I know XP/Vista home allows 5 simultaneous connections to a shared folder and the Pro versions allow 10. So whilst, we were all on Pro versions we didn't get any lock problems...but now we do whenever we exceed 5 users at the same time...(I know Access can support say 50 users +/- n (where n is arguable by experts!)

The solution is to put the BE back to Pro, but I see us overstepping this limit in 3-4 months time. We could be up to 15 users in 6 months.

So my question is what equipment do I need to allow more than 10 users to simultaneously access Access (no pun intended)?

Any info would be greatly appreciated (simple info as I'm no Einstein)

Many thanks in advance

dazza61

 

[odin1701]

You need an actual server. Windows Server 2003. You will also need enough CAL's for each system you have accessing the server. CAL's are Client Access Licenses.

It will not be cheap, but you can get a decent deal from somewhere like Dell. You can get a decent server system with 20 CAL's for about $2600.

Whatever you do, and whatever they try to sell you, DO NOT get 2003 (or any previous version) of Small Business Server.

 

[dazza61]

Thanks for the reply and info of what to get and what to avoid.

Actually that price converted to UK currency is pretty good. I can now present this to my bosses (and hopefully sound pretty knowledgeable in the process thanks to you LOL)

Take care

dazza61