Is it possible to add an Access database to a network

[wedd]

I've designed a database and would like to add it onto a network, so other users may have access to it. Is it possible to add an Access database to a network? If so, how can this be done?


Thanks for your contributions:friends:

[Movian]

To do this i would recommend setting up the DB with a front end, back-end solution.

This means that the data is stored in either an access db or SQL db on one machine. Then each user has another DB that connects to the back-end db. There are many reasons for this solution but corruption prevention and performance issues are just a few. I personally have switched to making all my back ends SQL based with my access front ends. This is again for a number of reasons to do with security and performance but that will be up to you.

[wedd]

Hi Movian, it's something I haven't done before...but based on your solution how can I allow other users to connect to my access database backend, so that they can use it? I'm not using an sql database because my workplace doesn't use it.


Cheers!

[Movian]

well i use SQL express 2008 R2 which is completely free but that may be a little much to jump into with no experience in front end / back end solutions. the easiest way to setup the front end back end solution is to move all of your tables to a separate DB. Then put that DB on your database server and make sure the folder is accessible to the network. Then take your DB with your queries forms and classes and add tables from your back-end DB as Linked tables.
If you google a little bit there are plenty of tutorials that will take you through the process based on your specific version of access (2003, 2007 etc) Hope it goes well.

Here is an example for 2007 of a tutorial i found after about 30 seconds of searching :)

http://www.techonthenet.com/access/tables/link_table2007.php

And here is SQL 2008 R2 Express incase you wish to investigate it in the future.

http://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/pd/SQLEXP08V2/enus/default.aspx

[HiTechCoach]

Also see: Splitting your Access database into application and data (http://www.hitechcoach.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35:split-your-access-database-into-application-anddata&catid=65:split-database)

[wedd]

Hi Movian and HiTechCoach, I just found out that the server I will be deploying the database to is server 2008

[Movian]

The server OS is of no major concern. As long as you setup the folder to be shared and put the back-end DB in there. You should be fine, just follow the instructions on our links, they walk you through using the built in database splitter.

[wedd]

Thanks