Can winform desktop app connect to remote server (Access database)?

I'm a psychology professor (database newbie). To collect data for my research I've written somedesktop apps (vb.net) and need to save data to an access database on my remote server (discountasp.net). I can't seem to connect to the database, however. I always get an "invalid file name" error when I try to connect from within a winform.

For completeness, I CAN connect to the database using a webform (.aspx), but I much prefer to use winform because of the richer user interface and stability of desktop apps. Is this a security issue such that only webforms can directly connect?

Here's the connection string that works in the webform, but not in winform:
Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=e:\web\pezzolaborg\htdocs\_database\AB.mdb

If it is a security issue, what are my options?

Thanks!

 

Hi,
This sounds like a cool project, good use of Access.
I don't have an example for this but it does raise some concerns.
First of all it may be a good idea to contact Support and ask if DiscountASP.NET allows these connections.
As you can imagine with an Access DB you do not want remote connections.

I do however think it is possible with ODBC and VB.NET using a valid IP address.
Without an IP address I don't think VB.NET will accept the connection but I'm not sure about that.

Something that I do know will work is the Link option in Access.
But that would require you to merge/update the records outside of your Form application.

Sorry for not offering a solution but I didn't want this to go unanswered.
Salute,
Mark

 

Thank you for responding. I think I've found two possible solutions. One is that I can simply send an email with the data to my google account from the app using some vb.net script I found. That's not ideal, but it'll suffice to get me started.


Concerning your one suggestion, I am using the IIS 7version, which I'm pretty sure does not allow ODBC connections,so that option is out.


I am not familiar with the Linkoption. What do you mean "outside" my form?I'm game, I'm just not sure what it involves.


A different possibility that I've started reading about isto use SOAP and webservices.At first it seemed a tad complicated, but I think since I'm using Visual Studio it could do much of the work for me. Can anyone out there confirm this or provide other suggestions?


Thanks!

 

Hi,
I don't do Access developmentbut have seen how Access DBes can Link to each other.
They can include HTTP references to other Access DBes apparently.

This Access community has a lot of ads that can be annoying but you can find a lot of Devs to help:
http://msaccesshintsandtips.ning.com/

I've registered there in the past and they have never spammed me so it seems safe outisde of all the ads.
Salute,
Mark