Several sites, One database

How best to share data

[NorthernStudio]

I have a number of sites including mysiteA & mysiteB, that require data that is stored in an Access db on the server of mysiteA.com.

I would prefer to not have more than one copy of the DB floating around, for a number of practical reasons.

I retrieve data using ASP. I would like mysiteB to connect to the database but am not sure if it possible for an ASP page to connect to a database on another site/server. I could put a script on mysiteA where the DB is and use Include to display the results on mysite B but is would be easier, I think, if there were a connection string that would allow this.

Problem is I can't find the syntax for setting a path. Current mysiteA string is:
strDB=server.MapPath("\") & "\database\datastuff.mdb"

mysiteB needs to connect to that file at [mysiteA.com...]

Anyone know the proper path format? I don't believe Mappath is correct to use here. Can't find any examples.
Thanks,

Wayne

[ziggystardust]

Hello.

hmmm, when you say site/server, do you mean site or server? :) If website A and website B are both hosted on the same server, I believe this could be solved - the matter was discussed 3 weeks ago here [webmasterworld.com].

If you're using different servers, It's going to be more difficult. I think (but I'm not 100% sure) the only alternatives you have are to set up a webservice on site A and feed that to your other sites OR to switch to another database.

good luck
//ZS

edit: I checked out the able-consulting.com page and found
[able-consulting.com...]
They have a couple more solutions on how to connect to a remote Access database.

[NorthernStudio]

Thanks.
I missed that thread in my search. I meant the db is at a completely different domain on possibly a different server at the same host.

I looked briefly at the thread and checked out the page that you noted. Looks I might have to use ADO with a remote ASP page. I'm not clear yet on the connection string to use but I'll play with it until I get totally confused.
Thanks again.

Wayne

[macrost]

conn.Open("Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=(maybe)http*://www.domain.com/db/address_list.mdb;")

Not sure if this will work, it shouldn't 'cause of server security but give it a shot.

Mac

P.S. Don't forget to take out the maybe and the asterisk. ;)

[redzone]

AccessStudio,

Access has severe multi-thread issues being accessed from http requests and CGI processing.

My suggestion is to bite the bullet, and upgrade to MS-SQL, if you are going to use online CGI/ASP for a commercial website environment...

Access does ok for low volume multi threading, but once you hit a specific activity level, the .mdb can get corrupted if you have it set at anything more open, than "read only"..