Access DB is reaching limit...upgrade to what?

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Our company currently distributes a database which uses Access 2000 runtime as the front-end/back-end. This database is used by single users on desktop machines to retrieve scientific data. However we are near reaching the 2GB data limit. The database is also noticeably slow (one table contains 8 million records).

My question is this: what database should we consider upgrading to? I was thinking SQL Server Desktop Engine (MSDE) and use the current Access front-end code. Unfortunately MSDE also has a 2GB limit. But could we link multiple databases together in MSDE? We are actually doing this in Access 2000 but it is quite slow. What other desktop databases would anyone recommend?

 

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converge:

One of my peer's is running a SQL Server 2000 database much larger than 2-gigs. He won't tell me how large (classified info), but it's millions of records. He's happy with the performance.

If you want to spend the big bucks you can try Oracle, Informix, or DB2. Any of these should do the job. Informix is now owned by IBM.

I make my living using Informix so I'm prejudiced, but it is a very stable product.

Oracle is so prevalent, you'll never get fired for choosing it. I need to warn you that dealing with a typical Oracle Sales or Support Engineer is a chore.

Their "in your face" arrogant attitude is hard to take, plus they tend to spread FUD - Fear, Uncertainty, and Dread.

Regards,


Ed