Connection over network link

[Guest]

Hi all
I am running a Database with about 20 users. The database is split into
front and back ends and runs fine. (All users using either Office 2000 or
2003) One of the users connects to the database over a couple of switches and
about 100m of cable, so a far distance phyically. When I use the database
(not over the switches etc) I have no troubles using it. When I use the
computer over the switches cable etc the database falls over in a particular
field.
The question I have, is Access sensitive with the time taken to connect with
certain forms?
Thanks

 

[Evan Camilleri]

Yes remmeber that the engine is at the front end, only the physical file is
at the back end. Ideally move to SQL Server, where the engine and data are
at the backend and you only transfer the actual data that you need.... or at
least try to do some booster in the middle of the connection.

 

[aaron.kempf]

Access MDB doesn't work properly across _ANY_ networks
I fully agree-- move to SQL Server.. Access Data Projects are a great
solution

but you should look to make sure you're using SWITCHES and not HUBS..
and you should also make sure that one of your switches isnt' stuck to
10mbit

-Aaron

 

[Tony Toews [MVP]]

I am running a Database with about 20 users. The database is split into
front and back ends and runs fine. (All users using either Office 2000 or
2003) One of the users connects to the database over a couple of switches and
about 100m of cable, so a far distance phyically. When I use the database
(not over the switches etc) I have no troubles using it. When I use the
computer over the switches cable etc the database falls over in a particular
field.

What's the error message or the symptom? Is the user getting any
"Disk or Network Errors"?

The question I have, is Access sensitive with the time taken to connect with
certain forms?

The time that the signal takes to travel down the wire is immaterial
at 100m and several switches. However if there is a slightly flaky
connection somewhere in the middle then that would be a problem. Or,
for example, there is flaky power and the switches don't have a UPS.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply,
I checked the power etc, there is no problem with that. I also ran the
database from the same network switch (behind the 100m of cable and another
network switch) but with a newer computer and it ran OK. Then tried it on a
very old machine and it also fell over, so I am guessing it has to do with a
combination of network time and processing power?
Also is there any way to determine which data loads first on the form, the
form fills with some data before dying.

Thanks for any help

 

[storrboy]

The time that the signal takes to travel down the wire is immaterial
at 100m and several switches. However if there is a slightly flaky
connection somewhere in the middle then that would be a problem. Or,
for example, there is flaky power and the switches don't have a UPS.

I think that over a hundred meters, it has more to do with signal
power than time. The guys that handle our network wiring are adamant
that the distance between boosters or switches is not more than 150
feet (approx 50 meters).

I'm not familiar with these settings, but would changing the refresh
and retry intervals in Tools>Options help to any degree?

 

[Tony Toews [MVP]]

I checked the power etc, there is no problem with that. I also ran the
database from the same network switch (behind the 100m of cable and another
network switch) but with a newer computer and it ran OK. Then tried it on a
very old machine and it also fell over, so I am guessing it has to do with a
combination of network time and processing power?

I still don't think the problem is network time or distance from
server. What happens when you take that very old machine and move it
so it's much closer?

Also is there any way to determine which data loads first on the form,
No.

the
form fills with some data before dying.

This is an interesting problem. <image of Tony getting a coffee and
rolling up his sleeves>

Does the old computer die with any particular error message? Is it up
to date with the Access and Jet Service Packs and patches? What
version of Access and Windows on that old computer?

If you have a lot of combo boxes you can see Access displaying the
fields one by one as Access fills the combo boxes with data.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm

 

[Guest]

Tony, I will go get the machine and plug it in as close to the server as
possible (the server is where the backend is being stored)

Murray

 

[aaron.kempf]

is there a way to decide which data loads first?

yeah-- a where clause.. an order by clause.. select top 100; etc

Access Data Projects; you don't need to spend the first month dealing
with MDB crap

-Aaron

 

[Tony Toews [MVP]]

I think that over a hundred meters, it has more to do with signal
power than time. The guys that handle our network wiring are adamant
that the distance between boosters or switches is not more than 150
feet (approx 50 meters).

Agreed but I wasn't worried about that in this situation. Although
you have a point in that if one run is 100 m the switch might be
having troubles dealing with that. Or, now that I think about it, the
older slower computers network card might have trouble putting out
enough power or something like that .

A client had a 200 m run of cable from the wireless dish antenna at
one end of the building to the office at the other end. And yes that
was indeed too long. So he had a switched mounted 40' up on the top
of the wall halfway between the two points.

Well, a year later he is told that the network connection to the main
LAN isn't working. He checks things out at either end and takes a
look at that switch. Turns out it was spring and they had a mild
water leak into the building. And that water leak was exactly right
on the switch. So he replaced it and had them build a small metal
flashing to direct the water around the switch.

I'm not familiar with these settings, but would changing the refresh
and retry intervals in Tools>Options help to any degree?

No idea.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm

 

[storrboy]

No idea.

Guess I'll have to try it sometime.
I have about a 180' span between our office and the closest warehouse.
Can sometimes be intermittent.

 

[PFC Sadr]

don't listen to these mother ****ing idiots

it's not a networking problem. it's a MDB problem

SQL Server works FINE over any network. WAN, VPN, WIRELESS or the
Public Internet.

MDB doesn't work over 50 feet of cat 5?

ROFL

Tony needs to STFU and learn how to spell SQL

Lose the training wheels; kids

JET IS DEAD MS ADMITS THAT IS HAS BEEN DEAD FOR 6 YEARS!