How much traffic can a FP2002/Access database handle?

People tell me not much and to go with PHP/MySQL

[DeValle]

I use Dreamweaver but I have a copy of FrontPage 2002. I've never used it. However, I noticed that you can create a database using a FP wizard and its Access capability. Sounds like a real easy way to whip out a database driven site.

Problem is, a friend who says he knows what he's talking about tells me that an Access database won't handle much traffic at all.

Is that true? Just how much traffic can it handle? How many different users at the same time?

And are there any other problems anybody has experienced using this functionality?

[Corey Bryant]

MS Access was never really built to handle a website. We have thrown a great number of concurrent users against an MS Access database without any problems. This might help you though:
[databasezone.com...]

-Corey

[DeValle]

Thanks, Corey.

I see from the table that the maximum concurrent users is listed as 255. That would be acceptable for a site built for a relatively small organization, such as I'm thinking about.

You said that you had thrown a lot of concurrent users at an Access db. You were talking about a web-based db, weren't you?

And the maximum concurent user limit brings up more questions:

a) What happens when the site gets overloaded? I don't know databases but I assume what we're talking about here is essentially a denial of service effect. Will the database just lock up or will the whole site crash?

b) If that site is a virtual host on a shared server, will that crash the other virtual hosts?

[Corey Bryant]

We had about 1,000 concurrent users at one time with no problems. I would not recommend this of course

The database wil typically stop responding. It might become corrupt. It might stop the server, depends on the server, etc.

Usually though, if your site is this busy, it does warrant SQL hosting

-Corey

[DeValle]

I think I'll give it a shot. As I say, for a fairly small trade association Access should handle it. And you can't beat the convenience, seamless and all that.

Thanks.

[Corey Bryant]

This is true. Plus it is very simple to upsize once it is done. Make sure tht you connection string is in one file just in case you are ready to upsize.

-Corey