Best way to run Access over a VPN?

[rmhrc]

Hi
Not sure if this is the right forum for this?

I am running 2 separate networks (1 is in a different town from the other) - what I will call the 1st network is where the main server is running at head office, which is where the database is stored. The 2nd network connects to the 1st network via a VPN to access files, email etc. So:

Our database was programmed in Visual Basic (something i'm not proficient in!), and was initally set up on our 1st network, with the client pc's having a copy of the database, which in turn points to the data and another copy of the database which is stored on the server.

The users on our 2nd network need to access the database, but I'm not sure what is the best way to run it? Should I put a copy on each of their pc's, then require them to VPN to the 1st networks server? Or should I make them VPN first, and access a copy of the database stored on the 1st networks server?

As I am not able to program the database, I wouldn't be able to make any changes to its setup.

I hope this is clear enough? I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks!

 

[jgoodman00]

Personally I would got for the following:
Head Office:
- Back end DB which is a replica design master. Contains all the actual data.
- Each user has a front-end application DB.

Remote Office:
- Back end DB which is a replica of the head office design master. Contains a replica set of the actual data.
- Each user has a front-end application DB.

This way you can choose when to replicate the data & users at both offices will not be subject to the performance of the WAN. You could look at automatically managing the replication using replication manager, or manually syncronise replicas using Access itself.



James Goodman MCSE, MCDBA

http://www.j.goodman.dsl.pipex.com

 

[rmhrc]

Thanks

Where can I find replication manager?

 

[jgoodman00]

Replication manager comes with the Office Developer Tools...

James Goodman MCSE, MCDBA

http://www.j.goodman.dsl.pipex.com