Quick and dirty connection to SQL for beginner

[TheGov]

Hi,

I am completly new to SQL server and Client/Server technology and I am in the process of converting an Access frontend/backend database to so that the old Access backend runs on SQL 2000 with the frontend still in Access.

I don't have any need for security, I just need a really quick and easy way to get users with the frontend on their PC to connect invisibly to the tables on the SQL backend, even if ODBC has not been pre-installed or congigured.

Access could do this just with OS file access rights, and Foxpro has a utility to create distribution discs. The main network OS is Novell, and the only reason to connect to the 2000 server is for SQL, so the users do not have a specific 2000 login. The whole project is 'in house', so I do not need to worry about sending discs out to customers.

Is there an easy way to do this?

Pete

 

[hurtfulpotato]

I'm actually in a remarkably similar situation - but I'm still working on it, so take my advice only after consideration.

You might find it easier to ditch Access entirely if you have that luxury. I convinced the company (I'm consulting) to switch over to a web frontend. Due to some fairly specific feature requirements, I went with a 3 part design - An SQL Server 2k database talked to a bridge program that talks to a web frontend. You could probably ditch the bridge and just have java talk to the database directly - there's good support for this. By doing it that way, I can control accounts more flexibly, administer kludges to SQL 2k easily, and completely avoid worrying about the users' desktops. And, of course, I don't have to leave my chair to distribute anything.

Is your environment strictly homogenous for OS & Access versions? Is the front end going to be the same for the forseeable future of the database?

Best of luck,
Charlie

 

[tlbroadbent]

One of the best resources to start with is the following Microsoft web page.

Microsoft Access and SQL Integration Resources

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnacc97/html/acsqlres.asp

Terry L. Broadbent - DBA
SQL Server Page:

http://tlbroadbent.home.attbi.com/sql/sql_articles.htm

If you want to get the best answer for your question read faq183-874.