Improve VPN performance, XP & Vista

[Gary Dolliver]

Hi all,
I have a MS Access front end (.mde file) tied into a MySQL db. Within the
internal (LAN) network, all users operate fine (7+), however, I have two
users that connect via VPN, one on XP Pro, the other on Vista Ultiimate (they
also are usually connected when everyone else is not). They each are
experiencing a slow down in performance (one connects through cable, the
other DSL), and the one with Windows XP (DSL) is much more dramatic,
sometimes 20-30 seconds to open a form - however, all other programs that
this user runs operate normally - only Access is slowing down. The Vista
user experiences about a 2-5 second delay in performance. Any thoughts on
what I can do to improve their performance? Any help, tips or suggestions
would be appreciated, thanks!
-gary

 

[Dennis]

If they're not already doing so, place a copy of the front-end on their local
HD's. You should see a performance boost from doing so.

 

[Gary Dolliver]

Thanks Dennis, I forgot to mention that this is what they are doing. The
front end is local, accessing the MySQL data from the server through the VPN.
-gary

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

How much slower is the vpn then the LAN?

(don't need a complex number involving bits, bytes and networking crap).

Just a plain Jane simple answer. The answer that a six year old could
understand.

Something like:

The vpn is 2 times slower, Or the vpn is 100 times slower. Remember, keep
the answer super simple, super easy, super simple.

The answer you need is:

it is X times slower.

if your network is 1000 times slower, then a 2 second delay will become 2000
seconds (33 minutes).

So, do give that super simple answer. Remember, I do NOT want a bits, bytes,
mega this, or mega that answer.

I want a SUPER simple answer. how many times slower is the vpn? it is X
times slower. It is a VERY simple question, and
you should have that simple answer handy.

You should ask that question, and have the answer. It could shed huge light
on how much slower of a network you having to deal with.

The usual solution is to ensure that your application doe snot transfer data
when not needed. for example, NEVER open form without a where clause to
restrict records loaded from the table. If you have any forms like
this...you need to add "where" clauses to restrict records.

I speak of the ms-access speed on a vpn here:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal//Wan/Wans.html

I give some ideas about promting a user for criteria for a form here:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/Search/index.html

In most cases, not only is the above approach more user friendly, but also
more bandwidth friendly..

 

[Gary Dolliver]

Hi Albert,
Thanks for the reply and sorry for the delay in getting back to you. The
Vista VPN is about 5 times slower than the LAN, and the XP VPN is about 2
times slower.
I have been experimenting with the Control(Record) Source and moving
information to the OnLoad event. I noticed this makes a dramatic increase in
opening either a form or report in design mode. Also, the optimizing of the
MySQL tables helped. After reading through your links, I noticed lots of
great information as well and have been able to create some different onLoad
conditions to help speed things up.
Again, I appreciate your response, resources, and overall help (this has not
been the first time!)
-gary