Geoff, I think there are only two possible solutions here: 1. Terminal Server/RDP 2. Conversion into client/Server app where only displayed data is shipped up/down the wire as opposed to full indexes etc. as when using native VFP tables. 3. Synchronise data between PC's
Obviously Terminal Server/RDP is the easiest solution and I would recommend the free Logmein (Logmein.com) version or Teamviewer (teamviewer.com). The drawback is that with the free Logmein you can't remote print or file transfer unless you pay and the app isn't expensive. With Teamviewer you can test it out with the free version and then purchase a commercial license. Logmein is a little slower but 100% robust and many others in the group will recommend it. The C/S solution will involve you in major code/design changes I guess and may well not be worth the time and effort. As for the table sync option, this would seem to be a recipe for disaster if the user isn't completely on the ball with regards to setting up FTP links etc. and I just wouldn't go there. In addition I guess you would also have to redesign your app considerable to allow the equivalent of batch mode programming. Oh, by the way, both the RDP solutions only need port 80 open so if the client can get internet access then you are sorted. The main cost implication on the Logmein side is that you need to dedicate local PC to control remotely but this is a one off cost and easy to install if you have an existing network. If you haven't got a network then the cost of a hub and/or router is negligible anyway and the additional workstation can be sold on as an enhancement anyway. The trade-off is software time/effort which may well be difficult to justify or hardware one/off cost with associated annual software licensing if required, but the client may well be able to justify costs for "tangible visible boxes" as opposed to your invisible programming effort! I know which solution I would choose anyway. Dave Crozier -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Geoff Sent: 20 August 2009 07:00 To: 'ProFox Email List' Subject: Synchronising data across a WAN I have a fairly small VFP9 app that uses local tables as it was only ever supposed to be used by one person on one machine. Now they want two people to use it but across a WAN with fairly small bandwidth. it works... sorta, but performance is dreadful and it freezes so often that it is virtually useless. Not really surprising since it is local files across net-connected drives in another state! Sso my job is to find a solution. I've already quoted on a rewrite into client server, but this is a large corporate so it means that decision making is glacial and so that decision will come about sometime afar off. in the meantime I am tasked with finding a workable solution with the existing app. So what I am looking for is some ideas and suggestions. I have thought of Remote Desktop running a copy of the app on the local server, but I cant see IT agreeing to that (and fair enough too). My other thought is for both users to have local data and a second mini-app to keep the data in sync. a bit messy but workable. Im just wondering if there are any other more elegant solutions that you geniuses can come up with that can be put into the existing app without a significant rewrite. Thanks in advance Geoff Flight [excessive quoting removed by server] _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/aecf245bb82b4a489a6d1bc8a7a7f...@develop ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
