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Shadow Db

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    Shadow Db

    I have a program that I have previously deployed in version 8 on a server with the ten user runtime license. My clients have several systems on which I installed the runtime and made a shadow copy. That has worked well up to now.
    I have now purchased version 9 platinum, made some upgrades to the database and am planning on upgrading the client's server and client systems. I was told by tech support that I dont' need to have the runtime installed on the server, just locate all the files on the server and install the runtime on the client machines, connecting to the server. The problem I foresee with this is that I would then have to run an update on every single system whenever I make a change, instead of having the shadow copy detect the newer version number and run and update with each new startup,, if needed.
    So my question is this. Am I correct about this? And if so, will I have any licensing issues if I install the runtime on the server and each of the clients?

    Another question (probably suited for a completely different thread) is... should I encrypt the files if I need to ensure security? I'm concerned about issues with encryption that I may run into down the road.

    Thanks,
    Joe

    #2
    Re: Shadow Db

    Originally posted by jgodfrey View Post
    I have a program that I have previously deployed in version 8 on a server with the ten user runtime license. My clients have several systems on which I installed the runtime and made a shadow copy. That has worked well up to now.
    I have now purchased version 9 platinum, made some upgrades to the database and am planning on upgrading the client's server and client systems. I was told by tech support that I dont' need to have the runtime installed on the server, just locate all the files on the server and install the runtime on the client machines, connecting to the server. The problem I foresee with this is that I would then have to run an update on every single system whenever I make a change, instead of having the shadow copy detect the newer version number and run and update with each new startup,, if needed.
    So my question is this. Am I correct about this? And if so, will I have any licensing issues if I install the runtime on the server and each of the clients?
    You are NOT correct. Any updates you make are to the database on server--no version of Alpha Five needs to be on the server at all. Let's say you make changes to a report in the Db and transfer those changes to the DB on the server (copy over a new .DDD file) and upped the version number by also transferring a new .ADB (and maybe .ALM and .ALB) file (or just upping the number remotely IF you had the full version on the server). Your workstation based runtime Shadow DB's detect that change and automatically update, presuming you have things set to do this.

    Where you would run into the kind of issue you raise is with runtime patch updates. They have to run on each workstation, but this is not a big deal unless you, like some others, want to make it a big deal. Users can download the patch either from your web site or from Alpha's and just run it.

    Originally posted by jgodfrey View Post
    Another question (probably suited for a completely different thread) is... should I encrypt the files if I need to ensure security? I'm concerned about issues with encryption that I may run into down the road.
    I suppose encryption depends on the nature of your application and what it is you might be worried about. I have never found encryption necessary but your case may be different. Are you worried about data or just program code? There are ways to setup some security for your program code (see Help file or search this forum). As for data files, gee, just be sure it is really necessary as it probably has overhead and possibly other negatives--I don't really know. Again, searching this forum for "encryption" might help.

    Raymond Lyons

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Shadow Db

      Hi Raymond:
      Sorry to budge in .... but I have a related question:
      Originally posted by Raymond Lyons View Post
      ..and upped the version number ...Your workstation based runtime Shadow DB's detect that change and automatically update, presuming you have things set to do this.
      Is it possible to get A5 to automatically update the shadow DB on startup without having to increase the version number each time you modify the master DB on the server? Thanks

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Shadow Db

        Gaby,

        Well, the shadow has to have some way of knowing that changes have been made. Alpha's way is to up the application version number in the .ADB file (or one of those .A** files). I suppose you could have a detection scheme work some other way. For example, I guess you could create a text file with version numbers in it, up that and transfer that file with your other changes to the server DB. Then in the autoexec check that text file or maybe just check to see if the text file has changed (date modified) and if so put code in the autoexec that refreshes the shadow "automatically" on startup. I suppose there are other ways also. But obviously there has to be some way for the shadow to know it needs to refresh. And yes, there can be problems with have to transfer .ADB files, especially if using the built-in secuity/logon sysem, but there are also ways to deal with that too.

        Raymond Lyons

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Shadow Db

          Thanks Raymond - I'll make easy on myself, increase the version# and let A5 do the rest.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Shadow Db

            Thank you Raymond. That's good to hear. So I kind of get it now. As long as the version number changes (and that is reflected in the adb file) then the shadow db's will detect that and update.

            And I think I'll stay away from the encryption for now. I worry that anyone with access to the server could copy and use the dbf files. The data that is being stored is very confidential and would be a violation of HIPPA regs if it were to be compromised. But I suppose if my client has strong secutity set up for the server I'd be okay.

            Thanks again,
            Joe

            Comment

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