Setting up access database to be used over the LAN

[Emmanuel]

I will like to setup an access database to be used over the same LAN so multiple users can all connect from different computers at a time.

Would be glad if someone could help me with the proper way to do that?

Initially, I was thinking of setting up the database on drive C which includes splitting the database.

Then I create copies of the front end to all computers connected to the LAN.



Will that work out?
If not, someone can should help me with a better suggestion.

Thank you.

[CJ_London]

split the db and put the BE on the server. A copy of the FE goes on each users machine. Not clear what your reference to drive C is about unless you don't have a server and are making use of an 'always on, always connected' computer.

[ssanfu]

You are correct - split the dB. The BE would/could be on a networked drive.
Each user would have a copy of the FE on their local computer. All computers should be connected by Ethernet cabel, NOT WiFi.



EDIT:
Drat!!Typed too slow again...

[Emmanuel]

Which is the network drive?
Where is it located?
That’s where I don’t get the understanding
Can that mean a shared folder on the LAN?

[CJ_London]

Which is the network drive?
Where is it located?

only you can answer these questions. Most LANs will have a server which is shared by all users (subject to any restrictions). Talk to your IT dept

[ssanfu]

Which is the network drive?
Where is it located?

A network drive is any drive that is discoverable/accessible on the LAN. Say you have 5 computers on a LAN and each computer has a "C" drive. Then you have 5 network drives. If two computers also have another drive (physical or logical), then you could have up to 7 network drives. Each user must have R/W privileges to drive that has the Access BE.

Can that mean a shared folder on the LAN?

As long as each used has R/W privileges to the drive the shared folder is on.


If you convert the BE to SQL Server (Express), you should have a dedicated server computer to host the BE.




How many simultaneous/concurrent users do you have?

[Blings]

This interested me as I have a database which has 8 concurrent users. I've configured it so that all frontend files are located on the SERVER folder as follows:

1. ARC CRM - Carmen
2. ARC CRM - David
3. ARC CRM - Despatch
4. ARC CRM - Greg
5. ARC CRM - Lucrezia
6. ARC CRM - Margaret
7. ARC CRM - Production
8. ARC CRM - Sarah

The backend files are:

1. RawData
2. RawDataSalesOrders
3. RawDataSuppliers

I didn't know that the frontend file should rather be on each users local machine. At the moment they each have a shortcut to their FE file on the server as I do weekly updates to the database, I update the master file "ARC CRM", delete their FE version after hours and replace their FE file with the update according to the naming structure as indicated above. How can I mitigate my current setup to easily roll updates out across the 8 computers?

[ssanfu]

OK, I never considered having 8 copies of the FE in one folder with each copy being opened by one user.
I've always had a copy of the FE on each user's computer or (in the cloud) on each user's VM (using RDP).

As long as there is only one user opening one FE, it should be OK.

How can I mitigate my current setup to easily roll updates out across the 8 computers?

Maybe have 8 folders on the server,
\dB_User\Carmen\ARC_CRM.accdb (I don't use spaces in names, hence the underscore)
\dB_User\David\ARC_CRM.accdb
\dB_User\Despatch\ARC_CRM.accdb
.
.
.
\dB_User\Sarah\ARC_CRM.accdb

Then copy the FE to each user's folder. The shortcut (on each user's computer?) would be linked to each FE in each user folder.
Then you wouldn't have to renamed the FE each time.

[ssanfu]

FYI,
@Blings, posting your question under Emmanuel's thread is known as "Hijacking a thread". It would be better to start your own thread and reference this thread and ask your question - more people will see your question.
Right now, your question is hidden in Emmanuel's thread.

[isladogs]

Agree with @ssanfu that this should be a separate thread.

However I did make this comment in post #14 of your previous thread: Can a database FE / BE be configured for licensing? (accessforums.net)

for best performance, the FE should be on the user's own hard drive, not the network.

[Blings]

FYI,
@Blings, posting your question under Emmanuel's thread is known as "Hijacking a thread". It would be better to start your own thread and reference this thread and ask your question - more people will see your question.
Right now, your question is hidden in Emmanuel's thread.

Roger that! Thanks for the tip above.

[CJ_London]

agree with Colin, you will get a performance hit with the FE being located on the network plus the potential of damage to the FE if there is a LAN failure which wouldn't happen if the FE was on the users machine. Not to mention the risk of someone opening the wrong file.