Re-Link to backend data on network attached storage

[GraeagleBill]

I need to share a DB on my local network but the Access re-link option won't allow me to navigate to the desired file. Am I missing something or doesn't Access support data on network attached storage?

Not that it matters, bu I know I posted using the term "Re-Link" but I can't get linked even to begin with.

[RuralGuy]

You need to go through "Network Places".

[GraeagleBill]

That's exactly what I attempted but encountered somewhat of a strange behavior in the way the NAS is viewed via ACCESS Link Manager versus how the NAS is viewed by Explorer.

Via Link Manager:


Via Microsoft Explorer


I searched Google regarding LAN problems but found nothing that seemed to fit this situation. As you might have noticed in the Explorer screenshot that the NAS has been given a static IP address but that's never been a problem for Explorer. If Access uses a different method for displaying NAS folder structure then who knows?

[RuralGuy]

This may be a case where you will need to map the NAS drive. I would certainly give it a try.

[GraeagleBill]

Yes, I knew I could map the NAS but have always been reluctant to increase exposure to NAS files. The essentials of the back-end are fairly static so having only two copies within the LAN isn't a big deal in the case of the current app.

Thanks,
Bill

[ssanfu]

I don't have a NAS on my LAN, but I do have other computers that could possibly(?) act like a NAS.
So I ran a test to link to a table in an ACCDB on the other computer using the IP address. I was able to link to the table "TestTable" in "Database1.accdb".

After clicking on "External Data\Access", I entered "\\192.168.59.243\c\Users\Steve\Documents\Database1.accdb" in the FILE NAME box and
selected the radio button "Link to the ..." option.


Maybe try
\\192.168.1.147\Public\YourDBName.accdb

[GraeagleBill]

\\192.168.1.147\Public\YourDBName.accdb

Using the static IP address does work. I'm really reluctant to use that simply because any subsequent hardware changes on the LAN router will likely cause app failures. However, your thought led me to try to use network notation directly in the filename pane even though I can't navigate there via "normal" methods.

So, "this" works:

\\WDMyCloud\Public\kPics.mdb

Thanks,
Bill