Sharing Split Database over WAN

[theperson]

Current scenario:



I have a split database that has the backend shared via a "server" computer (just a regular computer running windows 10 that has a shared file folder) that all computers on our LAN use.

We now have a computer on WAN that needs to access this shared backend database, and I'm unsure of the easiest way to do this.

I keep researching how to setup a VPN but I've been unsuccessful so far and I want to make sure this is the best route to take before I try to make this work.

Any ideas what I should do?

Thanks.

[John_G]

Can the WAN computer "see" or access the folder in the same way the LAN computers can? There may be permissions issues that have to be resolved, but beyond that, the WAN computer should be able to map to the local one.

If that doesn't work, will your organization let you put the BE database in a folder on one of your LAN servers? If so, then all you need to do is sort the permissions out and find out how to map to it. I use that arrangement here, with a BE database that is access from across the country, and there have been no problems.

[redbull]

Can the WAN computer "see" or access the folder in the same way the LAN computers can?

This is the million dollar question. If you can successfully map to the drive, it should be an easy link to create. If not, then You'll either have to find a solution for that or get creative.

Can the WAN pc see the shared drive? or folder? if so, how?

[pbaldy]

Many thoughts here:

http://www.kallal.ca/wan/wans.html

[theperson]

The WAN computer cannot see anything on the LAN computer right now. Really, this the only file it needs to see on the LAN computer and the only reason it needs to connect to this LAN computer at all.

I'm checking out that website right now.

[redbull]

Edit.

Maybe make a webapp of the front end?

[rpeare]

Just adding my 2 cents here. Even if you manage to map the local drive at the remote site, your database will likely not perform very well. I do several things by connecting to remote networks (backup up data files) but trying to do data entry type functions can be cumbersome. Does the remote user need to just look up data or are they going to be doing data entry that is of relevance to the local users? If it's just a lookup function you may be able to export a back end set of tables every day and just have the remote user link to the backed up data. It won't be live, but it will perform better.

[RuralGuy]

Many developers use a Remote Desktop product like LogMeIn or GoToPC or Citrix itself which can give you pretty acceptable performance.

[rpeare]

I've used both logmein and gotopc and tried windows remote desktop (after establishing a VPN), and google remote desktop, I find all of them to be not terribly responsive doing data entry (small delays in button clicking typing etc) which I find unacceptable but it's certainly worth a shot. Google remote desktop is free but it would require an unused PC at the 'local' side of the network, as would logmein and gotomypc (unless they have changed their setup since last I used them)

[RuralGuy]

I guess I'll just agree with Paul and Albert in Post #6 then.

[theperson]

It will have to be live as multiple people are doing data entry all day and it needs to stay updated. I've considered the virtual desktop apps but I thought maybe a VPN would suffice since they will have office and the front end of the database already on their local computer.

I suppose i'm not an expert at databases, but I keep seeing the option to host a 'mysql' type server and have the back end hosted that way. I have no idea how to link access and mysql though. Wouldn't that option just be a fancy VPN anyway?