Question Using access with Citrix

[XXD]

Hello acces experts.

I have a database created in MS Access 2007. I have saved the database as a mdb-file in a Citrix server to make many computers able to use the database.
The problem is that, the database can only be open at once, in one computer.
I'm able to connect to the server and see the database, but when I click on it twice to open it again, nothing happens. Not even an error message.
Does anyone know how I can get several computer to be able to work on the databse at the same time without splitting it? There is no risk for the server to lag because there are not going to be many users using the database at the same time, most likely 2-3 persons.

Thanks in advance
XXD

 

[pbaldy]

If it will have more than one concurrent user, it should be split. I'd argue it should be split anyway, so maintenance is easier.

I would also give each user an individual copy of the front end. I had twitchy problems with Terminal Server until I did that.

 

[XXD]

So there is another option to avoid my problem than splitting the database?

 

[pbaldy]

I don't know. Because I know how dangerous it is to have multiple users opening the same copy, I've never tried it. Why don't you want to split it?

 

[Banana]

I personally would want to split the database regardless of how it will be accessed, via Citrix, Terminal Service, locally, on a file server, or via carrier pigeons.

I'm pretty sure you can have your backend located on a network drive and have the front-end point to that network drive for split tables, and if you don't want to distribute the front end to each individual, at least have Citrix do a script to make a throwaway copy so each users has their own copy even in that instance.

 

[XXD]

Because the users are going to connect to the database with different computers thru Internet all the time. So how are they going to be able to use the form? Doesn't the form need to be on their computer and not on the server?

 

[pbaldy]

With Citrix, it resides on the Citrix server. That's going to be true whether it's split or not.

 

[XXD]

Ok seems that the best option (and only right) is to split the database. Where should I place my tables and forms, I'm not getting this. Citrix have a harddriver G: which can be accessed by all the users. Should I place the tables there and the forms on HH C:?

 

[pbaldy]

As Banana mentioned, it can pretty much be anywhere. It could be in the same directory on the Citrix server, on another server, etc. Personally, I'd probably put it somewhere else so users don't open the back end directly. By somewhere else I mean either a another server or at least a different directory on the Citrix server that users don't normally access.

 

[XXD]

Is there any built in function in Access 2007 that splits the database or do I have to do it manually like this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304932

 

[pbaldy]

According to my cheat-sheet, the database splitter is now:

Database Tools | Move Data | Access Back-End

 

[XXD]

Thank you, the database is now split. But If I open a form in my original mdb-file I get an error that the database is already open. The split mdb-file contains only tables.

 

[Banana]

Did you either make individual copy for each users or execute a script to copy the file and open only that file, with the same effect being that each user is opening their own copy of front-end?

 

[XXD]

Yes, thank you very much! It's working great