Virtual Network

[StephenElms]

We are a small business that has 2 people outworking for us. We want to allow them to access our database from their homes. We have tried a number of VNC programmes, some allow the remote worker to control our screens - this is not what we want as it stops us working from the office! Also just to make things difficult we do not have a large budget :-( 1 programme we evaluated cost $49 per month, not what we can pay. So can anyone suggest recommend software that will let the remote workers access the database - but not control the screen?

[JoeP517]

Please supply more information. What operating systems are being used? What database software? Is there a workgroup or domain? Is there a router or hardware firewall?

Joe

[StephenElms]

We run 3 pcs on the cabled network. The 2 "main" pcs run WXpHe, the 3rd W98SE (it is mainly used as a backup pc. The adsl modem/router is a Netgear DG834 - it has it's own firewall settings. The database is an Ms 2003 Access. There is 1 workgroup. I hope that this assists - and thanks for responding.

[JoeP517]

Upon which machine does the Access DB reside? What kind of access do they need (i.e. read only, update)? Are you expecting them to use Access to access the DB?

Joe

[StephenElms]

It's a beautiful morning....
The database is on our PC1, which is running WXpHeSp2. It has MS Office Professional 2003 installed on it too. We would want the remote worker to have write access to the database - can this happen if they don't have Access installed on their local pc?

[JoeP517]

Access is the easiest way. They could still have write access if they have a program that uses ODBC to access the DB.

Joe

[StephenElms]

What sort of programme would that then be please?

[JoeP517]

One that they may have written or something similar to r-Access - Remote Editor for Access Databases free download. r-Access is a free software that provides fast and convenient way to view/edit remote MS Access databases over the Internet. Browse your tables, edit/... (note that I've never used this software so can't vouch for it in any way) or see some of the links in this "Access 2003" remote database query - Google Search.

Joe

[jhelfer]

(Edited by HansV to make URL clickable - see <!help=19>Help 19<!/help>)

Hmm. Not sure if somethinlike this will help, but it' worth a look:

http://www.vpnlabs.com/

Next time around, you should really avoid the "home" editions of Windows. That will come back to bite you later.

[jscher2000]

It sounds as though the developer no longer offers r-access; support might not be available.

This other shareware site provides more info: r-access is (was?) designed to work in conjunction with a web server that hosts the MDB file, so it might require some additional configuration: http://www.devasp.net/net/search/review.asp?id=21867