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Multi-User Access to Alpha

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    Multi-User Access to Alpha

    We recently upgraded to Alpha 5 v4 when we switched to Windows 2000 (with separate copy for each PC. The problem now is that only 1 person can access Alpha at a time. Software is on each PC, database is on the network. Under Win 98, Alpha 5 v1, we were all able to access Alpha simultaneously.
    Our technical people don't seem to be able to solve this problem. Any ideas?

    #2
    RE: Multi-User Access to Alpha

    Patricia, tell us what error messages you're seeing.

    Also, have you verified that each work station has full read / write privileges to the shared folder on the server?

    -- tom

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Multi-User Access to Alpha

      Patricia,

      Have you networked optimized? If not, you should. In the control panle, click File and then Network Optimize.

      Also, I found this from Tom Cone. It may help as well.

      In the typical setup, your database would reside in a single folder on a machine in your LAN which you designate as the server. It may or not be an actual server, but most folks get best results if it's a machine which is not used for other purposes during the course of each work day.

      Alpha Five may be installed on the 'server' but is not required.

      Instead, Alpha Five (or the runtime engine) should be installed on each of the other workstations, all of which need read/write access to the database folder on the server. I find that things work best if the server folder is mapped as a local disk drive, and that the same disk drive designation is used on all workstations.

      (......)

      In the typical arrangement there is no local data on the workstation at all. Instead, after cranking up Alpha Five the user should 'open' the database on the server, reaching out across the network to do so. Changes will then be written back to that same location, on the server, and will be visible to others who 'open' the database on the server from their own separate workstations.

      There's one drawback to doing it this way. Performance suffers because the bandwidth of the typical connection is too small to easily permit the entire database, all field rules, layout definitions, and the other visual components of the application to be easily and quicly sent to the workstation from the server. To overcome this Alpha Software offers 'network optimization'.

      To network optimize one must start A5 on the local workstation; then open the database on the server; then navigate to the A5 control panel, and select File, then Network Optimize. If you accept the defaults the network optimize process will transfer key portions of your database to the local workstation, storing them in a shadow folder. I recommend you accept the defaults. If you don't there's a danger here that you might accidentally save the shadow copies of the database back to the server, thereby accidentally, and permanently, erasing all of your real data. So my personal rule is accept the default path and folder settings that alpha Five suggests.

      When this is completed shadow 'copies' of the database are created locally at the same time. Thereafter, if you crank up A5 (on the local workstation) and open the database residing in the local shadow folder on the same machine, Alpha Five will transparently and automatically connect with the actual data on the server. This should be your goal.

      -- tom

      kenn
      TYVM :) kenn

      Knowing what you can achieve will not become reality until you imagine and explore.

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Multi-User Access to Alpha

        Change your technical people. OK I'll be serious but what you want to do should be simple.

        I understand you to be saying:
        -each station has a copy of A5V4
        -the data is on the server.

        When you say only one person can access Alpha do you mean that only one person can access the same database. Do you get a licence count exceeded message. If so, perhaps the same reg number has been used for all stations so Alpha thinks you have a single license although you have more.

        Perhaps there is some W2000 issue.

        Detail the error message(s) and someone will figure this out because you definitely can do it.

        Bill
        Bill Hanigsberg

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          #5
          RE: Multi-User Access to Alpha

          Your statement about licenses is not clear. Do you have, say, 5 A5 licenses for 5 work stations? And even if you do, could it be as simple as one license number was used to install on all five work stations? If so, this would result in exactly the problem you are having.

          Ray Lyons

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            #6
            RE: Multi-User Access to Alpha

            Tom:
            I forward the suggestion re: read/write privileges to our tech guy and he will check this out as soon as he can get to it.
            Thanks,
            Pat

            Comment


              #7
              RE: Multi-User Access to Alpha

              Ray:
              Thanks for responding. We have each one installed with its own license, so that's not the problem.
              Pat

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Multi-User Access to Alpha

                Ken:
                All your suggestions have been forwarded to our tech guy and he will get back to me as soon as he has a chance to go through everything.
                thanks,
                Pat

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: Multi-User Access to Alpha

                  Have everyone exit A5. Open an explorer window and do a file search on *.muf files. Delete them. Then try your A5 system again. This may not help, but it's worth a shot.

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