Order of Completion - Workgroups then Splitting?

[pat_nospam]

In what order should I complete my database now that the design stage is over. Do I setup my workgroup security and then split the database or visa versa. Once the database is split, will the workgroup security remain intact?

Thanks for the guidance!

 

[theprez]

Why do you need to split the database?

 

[pat_nospam]

Large numbers of users need to access the system simultaneously. So, as per good form in a multi-user system, I'm going to put the backend on the network server and distribute front ends to the users.

Now, back to the topic at hand, which comes first, security or splitting? And does the security remain intact?

 

[pat_nospam]

bump - Anybody? I know this is probably a pretty straightforward answer. Help please

 

[Pat Hartman]

I don't know which is best. I avoid the use of Jet security so I don't have a lot of experience with it. You can experiment for your self. Create a db with one table and one form and see which way works best.

 

[ghudson]

I personally would add the security (test your security!) and then split the db. I always secure the front end and the back end [using the same workgroup file]. As always...make a backup copy of your db before you add workgroup security to it! Make another backup before you split it. Better to be safe than sorry!

HTH

 

[Pat Hartman]

In a PM, ghudson asked:

Out of curiosity... How do you secure your front end [installed on a users PC] so that the user can not access the db objects if you do not use Access workgroup security? An MDE would offer some protection but not completely.. Thanks!

The users get their own .mde copy of the fe. If they break it, they download a new copy from the server. They are warned not to bypass the menus. The db is in a secured network directory so only authorized people have access to the directory.

I've never run into a situation where I had malicious users and the inquisitive ones haven't done any damage. The data is theirs after all, not mine and I make sure that they understand that. I keep secure copies of the fe and the be is backed up twice daily.

In the situations where the data was sensitive and I couldn't have them opening the tables directly under any conditions, I had to secure the db with Jet.

 

[ghudson]

Thanks Pat!