Using MSDE over a network

[sjn78]

I have a small network setup at home (3 computers) and wondering if I setup MSDE on one of the pc's can I use it as a server?

I only ask this because isn't MSDE just to run on your own pc?

I would like to be able to have it running so any of the pc's can use the one database from the so called server.

 

[chrissie1]

yep, msde can be setup as a server, but you will have to install it on all the other pc's aswell. the name of the server will then be the name of the computer you want to act as the server. then run the sql-server manager, set it up to run at startup,doubleclick on the systray-icon and set the sql-server service to run on the computer that you want to act as server, dont forget to setup the clients to use tcp-ip as protocol in msde otherwise try using named pipes.

Christiaan Baes
Belgium
"What a wonderfull world" - Louis armstrong

 

[BuGlen]

The way I understood it, MSDE could be set up as a server for a small workgroup (around 10 users or so) and you could connect the same as you would to any other MS SQL server. This is the first time I've heard that you also need MSDE on the client PC as well.

Do you have reference to any online articles at MS that explain this requirement? I'm also considering MSDE as a workgroup solution, and I'd like to fully understand the requirements.


Glen Appleton

VB.Net student.

 

[theoxyde]

You do not need to set up MSDE on all machines. It only needs to be installed on machine that will be the server.

You can then use your average SQL Server connection string to connect to it.

 

[chrissie1]

let me rephrase that you don't need it on every client machine, but i have noticed that it sometimes gives problems if you dont have it, especially on nt4.0 and windows 98 machines, because they dont have the right dll's, wich are installed if you install msde



Christiaan Baes
Belgium
"What a wonderfull world" - Louis armstrong

 

[theoxyde]

That sounds more like the 98/NT4 machines aren't running the correct version of MDAC (MS Data Access Components).

 

[chiph]

MSDE supports up to 5 client processes (active connections), and databases up to 2gb in size. So if you write your application so the client program doesn't maintain a connection to the database, you can have quite a few users on it. But... you'd have to write the app to handle any refused connections.

Chip H.


If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ222-2244 first

 

[BuGlen]

Actually, I think it's 5 concurrent batch processes, not connections. It will support more processes, but the governer kicks in and slows each process down by a few milliseconds per extra load. But from what I've read you are quite correct that if you use disconnected recordsets and batch updates you can support quite a few more people than the recommended 10 with little impact on performance.


Glen Appleton

VB.Net student.

 

[sjn78]

I have set up msde and a database on another machine and then using my laptop I tried connecting to the database using the sql drivers with no luck.

And yes, I have all permissions set right and I can access the other machine through the laptop without any hassles.

Has anyone done it and if so, could I have some assistance if possible. I know this sort of thing may be hard to explain online, but it may be worth a try.

Thanks

Steve

 

[BuGlen]

Hi Steve,

Are you getting an error message? This could be any number of potential issues between the client and the server boxes. Post some information on your configuration and MSDE install parameters and that might help shed some light on the issue.


Glen Appleton

VB.Net student.