Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

[adcooke]

I am trying to figure out the best way to operate A5v11 over two sites - my home and my office which are 20 kilometers apart. Simplest way I can think of is to use a memory stick to carry between both & update each via backup & restore each time. But I guess networking over the web is better, so thinking about jumping into some dreaded network solution so things stay more synchronised. But I know nothing about networks, and all the extra complications and permutations that would likely go with it, and thus greater risk of problems. I believe in the KISS principle well and truly.

I already have two separate full developer licensed copies of A5ver11 operating on two computers, but one is a laptop with Win7 Prof on it, and other is desktop with WinXP, so maybe a big problem right there. I don’t really want to upgrade the latter from XP though for many reasons to numerous to go into here.

I want the desktop at the office so its harder to steal (we had breaking recently & stuff stolen, so don’t want to leave laptop there), and laptop at home. I imagine I’d use the laptop though as “server” and desktop as “slave”.

I may want to introduce a 3rd computer for a secretary to operate a booking system later on, but for now its only me between the two sites/offices, but I guess another reason to network if I'm honest !!

I noticed one previous post talked about using "Windows Terminal Services" which fast and did not use a browser. Is that a way to go???

So any suggestions and cautions on what might be the best way to work & organise all this would be greatly appreciated, before I start with anything and getting myself into a fix.

Many thanks
adcooke

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

I noticed one previous post talked about using "Windows Terminal Services" which fast and did not use a browser. Is that a way to go???

Yes.

[user10]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

Use Remote Desktop Connection in windows XP and above

Remote Desktop Connection is a technology that allows you to sit at a computer (sometimes called the client computer) and connect to a remote computer (sometimes called the host computer) in a different location. For example, you can connect to your work computer from your home computer and have access to all of your programs, files, and network resources as though you were in front of your computer at work. You can leave programs running at work and then, when you get home, you can see your work computer's desktop displayed on your home computer, with the same programs running.

[GGAllen]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

I don’t really want to upgrade the latter from XP though for many reasons to numerous to go into here.

I have used Laplink PCMover to migrate over 100 client's computers to new computers with a different operating system complete with programs, licences, and all data. It is not necessarily foolproof but any problems have been minor and easily fixed. It leaves the original system untouched and the changes to the new machine can be undone with one click so it is a relatively safe experiment. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Garry

[Tom Cone Jr]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

I like the idea of using remote desktop for one remote station to drive another. Won't work for two remotes at same time. Won't be easy to use if the machine being driven has a dynamic IP address. LogMeIn is a reasonable choice if the machine being driven has an IP address that might change from time to time. Adcooke, does your office machine have a static IP address ?

[preston2]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

If you are not going to be using both sites at the same time then the simplest solution is to put the db on google drive. I have done it this way before and it works great. If you are going to be working on the db from both location at the same time then this in not the ideal solution due to the slight lag time each computer will have syncing across google drive. This poses no problem if you are working on it at the office and then later working on it from home.

Just install google drive on both machines, put the work-space files in the google drive fold and you are good to go.

[Mike Wilson]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

For single users, pier-to-pier connections, the Remote Desktop Connection is a possiblity as John Smith suggested but the IP address issue exists as Tom pointed out. I'd still try this first. The best one-computer-to-another link up I have found is TeamViewer. I work with a partner 5 states away regularly using TeamViewer. We used to use LogMeIn but TV is better, easier and faster. But expensive. Try it for free -www.teamviewer.com. Very easy to download, install and use. I tried the Google Drive method. It works, but there are lags. Also, believe it or not, the Google Server with Drive is clogged and not available on occassions. We moved away from this as a solution. Now, when you add a second person to the mix, theses solutions don't work. Which is where the current folks I am working with are... multi-users-multi-site. So we switch to a terminal server. Costly and not easy to set up, and requires a static IP address on the server side. But now that it's set up... great!! But the one thing I don't understand.... if it is just yourself and you have a laptop...why are you not just working through your laptop? Is it you don't want to transport it?

[adcooke]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

Thank you Stan - message #2
Arthur

[adcooke]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

Sounds good, and like just what I need. Thank you John, message #3, I'll look into it.
Arthur

[adcooke]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

Thanks you Gary - message #4. I used to use Brooklyn Bridge many moon ago, the Laplink. Works well as you say. I'll look into it pending a network like solution.
Arthur

[adcooke]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

Thank you Tom - message #5 for the info, and I'll check out LogMein.

Re static address - Yes I think so, but because my web feed at the office comes via the landlords system, I'll need to double check.

Arthur

[adcooke]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

Wow, that sound great, and for now that is the way I'd be working !! Thank you Preston - message #6 - I'll look into it.

Will have to go network though if I get a secretary into the act, because then both would be needing access at the same time.

Many thanks Preston
Arthur

[adcooke]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

Thanks very much for your input Mike - message #7, and I'll check out what each package costs here in Australia - far more the USA normally - eg Windows Terminal Services licences were quoted at between $800 to $1000 - bit much for where I'm at, even if it is a nice solution as most have now said.

"....why are you not just working through your laptop? Is it you don't want to transport it? " Basically yes, I'm getting old and would just like the greater ease and convenience if its not too much to achieve. Lugging that plus a heavy case of files is getting a bit much !!! Call me lazy ... but I'm ok with it !

Arthur

[adcooke]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

Thank you all for your input, much appreciated. Obviously networking is a complex business, and I am thankful for these in-principle directions and suggestions; naturally not looking for or expecting detailed instructions.

Arthur

[Ted Giles]

Re: Best way to SIMPLY Network A5 ver11 over 2 or 3 sites

Have a look at Synology NAS products.
You can get your own server running off your router and access it from anywhere.
I am using one to distribute software and moving on to hosting web apps soon.
Not expensive and under your control.