Using MySQL BackEnd with Access FrontEnd for Multi-User Database

[sstiebinger]

If I want to distribute a front end to connect with a MySQL back end ... do I need to set up the system DSN on each workstation that will be using the front end?

[pbaldy]

I use SQL Server, but I assume you can do the same thing I do, which is to create a File DSN on the server and link using that. No setup is required on each workstation. Another option is DSN-less connections, which I personally haven't used yet but have heard work well.

[sstiebinger]

Even using File DSN (or DSN-Less for that matter) I would still need to ensure that the MySQL ODBC driver is installed on the workstation, yes? Or am I misunderstanding that?

[pbaldy]

That's a good point. I think the SQL Server driver is installed by default, though I've had to manually install the newer Native Client driver. You probably would have to install the driver on each computer.

[sstiebinger]

Well, since MySQL provides the driver as an MSI I can use GPO to install the driver for this particular app, but I'll have to keep this in mind if I'm developing outside of my controlled AD environment.