Remote users cannot see updated values

[Jean-Pierre]

I have a split db with tables on BE and forms/queries on FE. BE is on a
server (NAS). Users access server from local LAN or remotely through FTP.
When a local user updates a record, remote users cannot see the updated
values (they still see old values), unless they turn their computers off an
on.
Reversely, when a remote user updates a record, local users immediately see
the updated values.
Anyone with an explanation and how to fix it ?

 

[John W. Vinson]

I have a split db with tables on BE and forms/queries on FE. BE is on a
server (NAS). Users access server from local LAN or remotely through FTP.
When a local user updates a record, remote users cannot see the updated
values (they still see old values), unless they turn their computers off an
on.
Reversely, when a remote user updates a record, local users immediately see
the updated values.
Anyone with an explanation and how to fix it ?

Access is NOT suitable for use over a WAN (wide area network). It's too
sensitive to dropped packets and interruption; you'll get bad performance (as
you see here) and worse, a severe risk of corrupting the backend.

See http://members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/Wan/Wans.html for a discussion.

 

[Jean-Pierre]

Hello John,
You are right, I have experienced several episodes of database corruption. I
will reqd carefully the article by Albert Kallal. He recommends using
Sharepoint. I have two concerns: 1) I am not sure Sharepoint works with
Access 2003; 2) I am reluctant to store my data on a third party system
instead of on my private network drive.
Thanks for your help.

 

[John W. Vinson]

Hello John,
You are right, I have experienced several episodes of database corruption. I
will reqd carefully the article by Albert Kallal. He recommends using
Sharepoint. I have two concerns: 1) I am not sure Sharepoint works with
Access 2003; 2) I am reluctant to store my data on a third party system
instead of on my private network drive.
Thanks for your help.

You may also want to consider installing SQL/Server. With proper design,
Access can work well as a frontend to a remote SQL instance. SQL/Express is
available at a good price (free)...

 

[Armen Stein]

You may also want to consider installing SQL/Server. With proper design,
Access can work well as a frontend to a remote SQL instance. SQL/Express is
available at a good price (free)...

Also, how are your users accessing the NAS? Directly, or through a
Windows server? The reason I ask is that Access multi-user locking
requires Windows - it won't work correctly when the back-end is on a
Unix box, for example. So it probably won't work for multiple users
correctly if you're using it directly from a NAS.

If you use SQL Server, you can read my slideshow on techniques for
using Access as a client-server front-end to SQL Server databases.
It's called "Best of Both Worlds" at www.JStreetTech.com/Downloads. It
includes some thoughts on when to use SQL Server, performance and
security considerations, concurrency approaches, and techniques to
help everything run smoothly.

Another consideration is using Terminal Server to allow remote users
to log in and use your Access application that way.

Armen Stein
Microsoft Access MVP
www.JStreetTech.com

 

[Jean-Pierre]

Thank you Armen.
To answer your question, users access NAS by FTP under Windows. There is no
UNIX or other OS as far as I understand it.
Definitely, I have to consider using SQL Server on my NAS to lodge the
tables in it. This is totally new to me; can you suggest any Tutorial on the
subject? I read the article you mention which contains useful tips, but I
need to start at a lower level.
Thanks for your understanding !

 

[John W. Vinson]

Thank you Armen.
To answer your question, users access NAS by FTP under Windows. There is no
UNIX or other OS as far as I understand it.
Definitely, I have to consider using SQL Server on my NAS to lodge the
tables in it. This is totally new to me; can you suggest any Tutorial on the
subject? I read the article you mention which contains useful tips, but I
need to start at a lower level.
Thanks for your understanding !

Tony Toews has a discussion at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/sqlserverwhy.htm

 

[Armen Stein]

To answer your question, users access NAS by FTP under Windows. There is no
UNIX or other OS as far as I understand it.
Definitely, I have to consider using SQL Server on my NAS to lodge the
tables in it. This is totally new to me; can you suggest any Tutorial on the
subject? I read the article you mention which contains useful tips, but I
need to start at a lower level.

Hi Jean-Pierre,

No OS means no locking, which I imagine is why you're having
corruption issues. I'm actually surprised it would work at all, if I
understand what you're doing.

SQL Server must run on a Windows server. That Windows server could
possibly use a high-speed connection to a NAS for the actual storage,
but I'm not sure how that would work. I guess you would need to talk
to a networking support person about that.

Armen Stein
Microsoft Access MVP
www.JStreetTech.com