Advice Needed How to run windows based software over a network

[chris]

We have some windows based software we run on a desktop PC for our customer database, I now need to access this customer database software from 3 computers in our office so what is the best way of accessing this software from all computers ? All computers are connected to a 24 port switch to access the internet so could we connected a NAS drive to the switch and install the software on the NAS drive or is there a better solutions ?

 

[mickwig]

We have some windows based software we run on a desktop PC for our customer database, I now need to access this customer database software from 3 computers in our office so what is the best way of accessing this software from all computers ? All computers are connected to a 24 port switch to access the internet so could we connected a NAS drive to the switch and install the software on the NAS drive or is there a better solutions ?

Hi Chris,

in order to answer your questions you will need to clarify a few things:
1. What opreating system ifrunning on the computers? Especially the one with the database installed.
2. What software are you using (custom made, Excel, etc.)?
3. What database format is beeing used (SQL, Btrieve, FoxPro, Excel spread sheet, Access)?
4. Do you plan to access the

The NAS drive is only a kind of storage device with no real computer intelligence. If your database is just an excel file, the the opening one of your PC's for sharing over the network will be sufficient. If your database is actually a software, then you will need to find out if the program can be run in a multi-user environment and if so, the software probably needs to be installed on all PC's.

 

[Topper]

Agreed, more info is required, but based upon the assumption all four are using Doze of one flavour or another. First ensure all four belong to the same homegroup, setting up the database PC to share data with the others is probably best unless you really want to spend money. do a search of the network via one of the desktops looking for either computer name or full computer name of the database PC. When found right clicking will allow you to map that drive to the terminal and give it a drive letter and even then make a launch icon (assuming it is just a shared database not a special program). Repeat for other terminals.


As an alternative I do think you could set this up using a cloud base sharing option, but I have limited experience in this field, my son was sharing a spreadsheet database of things required for his home across numerous users, allocated by him

 

[chris]

Thanks for the reply the software is winsims (specific for the security industry) acasystems.co.uk.

The spec says it is written specifically to run on the 32-bit Windows platform
Uses industry-standard ODBC compliant data storage.

I would like the Database to be stored centrally near the switch and router and accessed from the PCs around the office that's what I thought I NAS drive ?

 

[Topper]

How many user licenses do you own Chris?

 

[mickwig]

ODBC is good because you will be able to access the database simultaneously from several PC's, its like a SQL database, no matter what the vendor. First you will need to change the location of hte database on the PC running your software in the moment:

1. Make sure the PC which is currently running the software has access to your NAS (ping).
2. Create a share on the NAS with full access.
3. Copy the database to the NAS share. You will either have to map a drive (e.g. F:\ or you a network path like \\name of NAS\share)
4. Change your ODBC settings (read software manual) with the path to your new location. You find the ODBC in "data sources".
5. Test your software with the new settings.

After that the new PC's have to be set up to use the software:

1. Make sure that the other PC's can access the NAS (ping).
2. Install the software.
3. When asked for the location of the database give the NAS location.
4. Finish installation without creating a new database.

One thing to look out for before doing all the installation.

Aks the vendor if the software is licensend per client. If so, you will need to aquire new licenses to run the software on more than one workstation.

 

[chris]

Thanks for your help.

The software is licensed and extra licenses can be brought for £350 per user so that is fine.

Next question please recommend a NAS drive? I had been looking at this one, But would have liked one that can bolt in to our server cabinet maybe 1u or 2u if possible.

 

[mickwig]

Hi Chris,

the NAS is rather weak on the redundancy side. Seeing that you are in the security business plus professional environment I would opt for a NAS with at least 2 drives. At least 2 drives with RAID1 setup which means 1 drive and 1 mirror. Should one of the drive fail, the other one will take over and your data is not lost. Better even RAID10, which means 2 RAID0 (stripeset) which is mirrored onto another RAID0.

This setup will read the data a lot faster with a high degree of redundancy. Obviously it is more expensive, but if you ever experienced data loss you know that the loss costs a lot more than any setup you might choose. For the drives used I would opt for Pro drives which have a lot longer running time. Cheap SATA drives are measured with 8 hours a day, pro drives with 24 hours a day. The manufacturer does not really make much of a difference.

Still, I would back up the data to an external drive of some kind just in case.

 

[chris]

Thanks can you recommend any units with 2 drives and with RAID1 ?

 

[Terryl]

If you want better security on the system then I recommend useing a server (or PC) with server software on it, (windows server 2012) this way all PC's (with separate passwords) can access the data base from anywhere on the internal LAN system. (or externally if setup right)

You don't need to go out a buy a server, any PC will do, just set it up with a windows based server software package, setup your security and data base and your done, this way the other PC's can't (or can) access the others data base files.

 

[mickwig]

I am using 2 makes of NAS - Synology and Lenovo EMC for Server backup. But any other make will do. Quite pricy though. Still cheaper than legal MS Server software and a lot easier to work with, if you have never done that kind of thing before

If you have no experience with networking, most manufacturers will supply setup software with the drive.

You have to choose a housing and then just your drives from the compatability list. Or go to your local hardware dealer and ask what he recommends.

Here are some links:
DS215j - Products - Synology - Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Compatibility - Synology - Network Attached Storage (NAS)

Lenovo seems to have stopped their NAS line or I cannot find it in the moment.

But remember: 2 x 2TB with RAID1 = 2TB

Any other manufacturer will do. Most use a specialized Linux to run the machines. But everything is done via GUI. You can use these boxes for all sorts like music server or surveillance servers with cameras attached.

If performance is very important, then the server option is the better choice though.

 

[battenfan]

Not sure if a home nas is good enough for your need. I believe Dell makes affordable rack servers with Intel processors that runs MS server 2012, otherwise I would go for hp.

 

[Analoguesat]

Whichever route you go make sure you invest in a small UPS if you havent already got one - you can lose one or both drives if you get a flaky shutdown thanks to a dirty power outage.

Been there got the tshirt - twice! The enclosures survived and are still in use - the drives didnt

 

[chris]

Confused

Just looking on ebuyer at servers, Cant tell what the difference is between apart from £200 -

HP ProLiant Gen8 G1610T MicroServer - Ebuyer
HP ProLiant Gen8 G1610T MicroServer - Ebuyer

I'm assuming I would then need to buy Windows Server 2012 - Foundation Edition (HP ROK)
Windows Server 2012 - Foundation Edition (HP ROK) - Ebuyer

How easy is this going to be to setup for me with no experience ? how much configuring is required and is it really worth it to run database software on 2 or 3 PCs ?

 

[Analoguesat]

A full blown server just for a database file seems a bit overkill to me. Those microservers look like a rather nice half way house between a home nas and a full server.

A shed load of info here:

ProLiant MicroServer Gen8 Links - MS Gen 8

From the questions on the amazon reviews of them yes you need an operating system - some folks go for basic linux nas distros & others go for the latest win server software. No doubt you could just stick win7 on it as well

 

[Analoguesat]

Next question please recommend a NAS drive? I had been looking at this one, But would have liked one that can bolt in to our server cabinet maybe 1u or 2u if possible.

Avoid that Buffalo one - its only got one drive bay so if the drive fails you lose your data. Have a look on the edugeek forum - the lads & lasses there have vast experience of nas boxes and have some salient tips about the good ones and the ones to avoid.

 

[Channel Hopper]

I've got a couple of - not too old - servers (1u) here doing nothing but collect dust.

Will check specification and get back to you, though I do recall one having a RedHat thingy when powered up.

 

[battenfan]

I do own a 215j myself and I'm not totally disappointed with it and maybe it's fast enough for only three clients. I just don't know how reliable it is, that tiny 12V external power supply doesn't leave a serious impression Here's another option to mull over:

http://wss.thecus.com/product_W2000.php

Edit: What the hell is 'Windows Server Client Access License'? You need to pay extra to access the server? That's the most stupid thing I've ever heard. I would ask Acasystems if Linux/xxsql would work.

 

[mickwig]

Edit: What the hell is 'Windows Server Client Access License'? You need to pay extra to access the server? That's the most stupid thing I've ever heard. I would ask Acasystems if Linux/xxsql would work.

Yes, you need to buy the operating system and a CAL for every user or device (there are User and machine CALs) that wants to access the system. But MS has not implemented this feature like e.g. Solaris or Novell does, because you can just turn the license monitor off and everything will just work fine. Even with the monitor on you just get a line in your system protocol. The same goes for most other MS product that need to be licesed individually (e.g. Exchange)

With most other systems the users wont be able to access the system without a proper license. In Netware times the whole network would stop if you have 2 servers with the same S/N in the same network (e.g. you buy a new machine and want to move data from old to new).