Security - 2 Applications/2 mdws

[PurpleUnicorn]

I have 2 Access applications. The data resides on the server and the applications reside on the local user pcs. If I implement security – separate workgroup files for each mdb (actually mde), do I need to have a copy of the mdw on each pc? Can it reside on the server? Is there a better way to do this?

It seems that there is no way around using shortcuts with multiple workgroup files (my client does not use shortcuts currently) - is this correct?

Thanks in advance

 

[mp9]

Answers:

1. Yes, you can have the MDW on a networked server. There are advantages and disadvantages to this. Advantage: only one copy of the MDW to update and maintain. Disadvantage: slower performance from user's perspective, due to network traffic.

2. Shortcuts can be created to allow for networked MDW's. Let's say you have the following file locations:

Access executable: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\msaccess.exe

Database: C:\My databases\db1\db1.mdb

MDW on a server: M:\My databases\db1\system.mdw

MDW username: mylogin1

Then you should create a shortcut with the following form of target:

[Access locataion] [Database location] /wrkgrp [MDW location] /user [Username]

i.e.

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\msaccess.exe" "C:\My databases\db1\db1.mdb" /wrkgrp "M:\My databases\db1\system.mdw" /user mylogin1

Note: the quotation marks are required.

Hope this helps.

http://www22.brinkster.com/accessory/

 

[PurpleUnicorn]

Thank you so much for the fast reply. I thought performance would be affected if I put the mdw on the server.

If I have 2 mdbs and 2 mdws do I have to use shortcuts? Is there any other way to associate the mdw files with the appropriate mdb without a shortcut. I know this can be done if there is only one workfile for all mdbs.

Thanks again.

 

[JeremyNYC]

You could use a batch file instead of a shortcut, but it's the same thing. Your client will have to get used to the change.

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Jeremy Wallace
METRIX Project Coordinator
Fund for the City of New York