SQL for beginners

[Freshman]

Hi all,

I was looking for a Sticky or something explaining the basic steps to hosting an Access db on the internet but maybe I missed it, so here goes:

I have a typical FE/BE Access 2003 database that I now need to share over the net.

I need some pointers on this please as I am clueless with all the termanology out there: From SQL to SQL-Lite to SQL-Express to MySQL to ODBC and whatever else that I've missed.

Then there are tools like Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant 2005 for Access and Upsize Wizard and ADP Projects to confuse me even more.

Thing is - I don't want to start off on the wrong path and find out later that I used the wrong method.

Then some questions:

1. I also noticed that my current ISP hosting my website is providing a package that includes: 1 MySQL DB's and 5 MS Access/ODBC at a fair price. Do I need to upgrade to this package and if so which product do I use - the MySQL or the MS Access/ODBC option.

2. Would dumping my existing Access BE on a VPN server be too slow?

I am willing to spend money to buy the correct products but I need to know what to buy.

Can someone suggest a good Access/SQL for Dummies site or provide some guidance here please?

Thanks a lot!

 

[JamesMcS]

Sounds like you've got your option there - your ISP is able to host an Access database, they'll have their own ways and rules around connecting to it. MySQL is a different database platform but you can interface it with Access. Have a read up about it on their website: www.mysql.com

 

[Freshman]

Thanks for that James - I will ask them before I do anything then.

 

[Galaxiom]

Generally ISP hosted databases are used with ASP or php generated dynamic web pages rather than as a backend of an Access application. Unfortunately this configuration involves recreating the entire project as a web application and requires a lot of knowledge.

Making an Access backend available on the VPN is not recommended because this configuration is highly susceptible to interuption of the connection.

The simplest and most reliable way to use Access via the Internet is with Remote Desktop (Terminal Services) across a VPN.