| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Zendragon
Starting Member
USA
11 Posts |
 Posted - 17 May 2002 : 18:38:50
|
Greetings,
I am new to this whole forum thing and even newer to setting one up.
I am currently with Readyhosting.com, for those of you on readyhosting and using this forum, how does it work?
I assume that I have to get SQL 2000 and this is the message they post on their site:
ReadyHosting.com Control Panel v.2.0
Before you submit this form, you must have some working knowledge of SQL Server 2000. We will not provide you with Enterprise Manager or any other means to connect to your database. You must get this from Microsoft or have some knowledge of commands used to create tables and fields.
There is very limited support for SQL Server 2000. If you just want to use it because you heard it is better, please remain with Microsoft Access. SQL is much more powerful, but requires an advanced knowledge of database commands.
Initial SQL Database size is 50 Megabytes. If you require more space, this can be acquired at an additional cost of $25/year per additional 50MB.
Now I know nothing about SQL. Do I need Enterprise Manager or anything else?
It also ask for a DB name, username and password. Is there something specific that I should put into the DB name field?
Finally, does anyone have a set of instructions for setting this up with Readyhosting? I run Front Page and figure that I will need to use Cute FTP to upload the Board. Please advise. Thanks to everyone who responds.
Zen 
Visit www.adventurersplace.com |
|
|
ruirib
Snitz Forums Admin
Portugal
26364 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2002 : 20:30:17
|
I probably wouldn't go int SQL unless I was able to do at least a little management of the DB. Enterprise Manager is the tool to get for this, although Doug G has posted here at Snitz about using Access Data pages for SQL Server DB management. Truth be told, I never used Access Data Pages, so I don't know how you can use them to manage your SQL DB.
With Access you only have to care for a file. With SQL Server it's another ball game. Unless you are planning a big movement forum probably Access would be a good option to get you started. If the movement goes up you can upgrade to SQL Server anytime without losing any data at all.
Anyway this is your call. The SQL Server can have a bit of a heavy learning curve, but I guess it wouldn't be that difficult to setup a DB to be used with Snitz. You should make the choice, based on what I'm telling, on what other people will likely tell you here also, and your own personal experience with computer apps...
I know this doesn't help much, but I though I should post it anyway...
-------------------------------------------------
Installation Guide | Do's and Dont's | MODs |
 |
|
|
alex042
Average Member
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2002 : 21:21:08
|
My advise is to start your forums with Access and upgrade later if your forums become popular enough to demand an upgrade. If you use Access, you can run everything with just a file path or by using a DSN. To do use a file path, you would use the Access connection string for your config.asp file and fill in your path (i.e. d:\html\users\USERNAME\html\fpdb\snitz_forums_2000.mdb). If you want to use a DSN, you would ftp your Access file to your site putting it in the supplied database folder and then send in a DSN request with the file name and desired DSN name. If you use a DSN, you would use a DSN connection string instead of the path. The file path method wouldn't require Readyhosting interaction and your forums should go online instantly, but eventually, you may want to get the DSN.
Whatever you decide to do, you need to put your database in a folder that will have the appropriate rights which would be their ftp 'database' folder or the 'fpdb' folder supplied by FrontPage. Btw, FrontPage should create the fpdb folder and supply the directory rights if you use FrontPage to import the database.
Readyhosting should provide you with assistance also.
Edited by - alex042 on 17 May 2002 21:39:52 |
|
|
|
Zendragon
Starting Member
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2002 : 23:52:47
|
How many people can MS Access handle at a time? I wouldn't expect more than maybe 20 at any given time...
If I go the access route, can someone tell me about the DSN name? Thanks
Visit www.adventurersplace.com |
|
|
|
Nathan
Help Moderator
USA
7664 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2002 : 03:42:02
|
quote:
Readyhosting should provide you with assistance also.
Actually, I used to provide Snitz support at the readyhosting support forum before they shut it down.
I do not recomend using the DSN as they are slower and I have encounted several problems with them. (uspecified errors)
Use an Access 2000 Connection string -
strConnString = "Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=d:\html\users\<yourDomain>com\database\snitz_forums_2000.mdb" '## MS Access 2000
 Nathan Bales
Snitz Exchange | Do's and Dont's |
|
|
|
alex042
Average Member
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2002 : 13:01:54
|
quote:
I do not recomend using the DSN as they are slower and I have encounted several problems with them. (uspecified errors)
We encountered that error several times with the DSN on an Access database we had setup at work. Evidentally it was a load issue which we remedied by dividing the load between multiple DSN's to multiple replicated Access databases. We still occassionally have load problems and may get a resources exceeded error, but we've basically eliminated the unspecified error. My assumption was that the DSN would allow more concurrent connections than a file path which is why I have it set up that way at work.
|
|
|
|
Zendragon
Starting Member
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2002 : 13:06:18
|
Thanks,
Hmmm, options.
So about how many people can MS Access support at one time without making things really slow?
And Alex, could you provide me with a little info on the multiple DSN thing should I decide to go that way?
Thanks
Visit www.adventurersplace.com |
|
|
|
ruirib
Snitz Forums Admin
Portugal
26364 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2002 : 14:25:54
|
quote:
So about how many people can MS Access support at one time without making things really slow?
And Alex, could you provide me with a little info on the multiple DSN thing should I decide to go that way?
The question on how many users can access handle has been posted many times and there are no easy answers. I'd say Access could probably handle those 20 users you talked about, but that would depend on the server, really. If you have many other sites using Access on the server that could be a problem.
As I posted before you can always upgrade to SQL if and when the need arises.
Regarding the DSN thing I would advise against. DSN means using ODBC drivers. These drivers are less robust and are also slower that OLEDB drivers. If you are already concerned with speed, I don't see why you want to use DSNs. Just use a connection string like the one Nathan posted. It will be faster and more robust.
Really I don't think you should go the way suggested by Alex. Managing replicated Access databases is a task on itself. Unless you're familiar with the concept and know the issues associated with replication, I don't think you'll have a easy time doing it...
-------------------------------------------------
Installation Guide | Do's and Dont's | MODs |
|
|
|
Zendragon
Starting Member
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2002 : 22:46:50
|
Hey thanks,
So if I go the DSN-less route, when it request a DSN name do I leave it blank? THanks for the help guys...
Visit www.adventurersplace.com |
|
|
|
ruirib
Snitz Forums Admin
Portugal
26364 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2002 : 23:28:47
|
quote:
Hey thanks,
So if I go the DSN-less route, when it request a DSN name do I leave it blank? THanks for the help guys...
Visit www.adventurersplace.com
Why would you request a DSN name if you don't need it, since you'll go the DSN-less route?
-------------------------------------------------
www.aslickpage.com/snitz_help.html" target="_blank">Installation Guide | Do's and Dont's | MODs |
|
|
|
alex042
Average Member
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2002 : 01:22:31
|
quote:
Managing replicated Access databases is a task on itself. Unless you're familiar with the concept and know the issues associated with replication, I don't think you'll have a easy time doing it...
True. Replication can be a pain. I can manage it at work because I'm one of a handful of people entering data, but with multiple people entering data who'll expect instantaneous results, it can be a hassle. I didn't necessarily suggest that route, but left it merely as an option.
quote:
So if I go the DSN-less route, when it request a DSN name do I leave it blank?
The DSN-Less option would be the easiest and it wouldn't require you to register a DSN. You would just identify the path in your config.asp file and it's done.
|
|
|
|
Zendragon
Starting Member
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2002 : 18:04:35
|
When you request the Access DB with ReadyHosting, they have a field for DSN , I was wondering if I should just leave it blank...
Thanks.
Visit www.adventurersplace.com |
|
|
|
ruirib
Snitz Forums Admin
Portugal
26364 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2002 : 18:11:12
|
quote:
When you request the Access DB with ReadyHosting, they have a field for DSN , I was wondering if I should just leave it blank...
Thanks.
Visit www.adventurersplace.com
That's really not important. You can always ask for the DSN and then not use it. Or choose not to ask it at all...
-------------------------------------------------
www.aslickpage.com/snitz_help.html" target="_blank">Installation Guide | Do's and Dont's | MODs |
|
|
|
Nathan
Help Moderator
USA
7664 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2002 : 19:05:41
|
You dont have to register a DSN to use an Access database, nor do you need to request one.
Just upload the access database that came with snitz in the toos.zip
Nathan Bales
Snitz Exchange | Do's and Dont's |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
