Folder mapping from inside VFP

[VFP7]

Hi friends.

My application uses a lots of exe files for the sake of simplicity of easy and modular upgradation of the application. The presence of so many executables is the basic requirement of the application and I can not change it. I installs all such exes and some vcx files on all workstations and shared files including data files on my application's server. Finally I map the shared folder of server disk as a drive and let all terminals know about this so that each fo them can pick shared data from here.

a) Does this arrangement is ok? Or there is any other arrangement which is worth consedering ?
b) As I do all this installation from my own developed setup routine, I want to do mapping of shared folder from inside of the proram. Also I want that the shared folder be defined as shared resource from inside the application and no user intervention is required in this setting, except the disk letters, paths etc. which I will ask thru getdir() and alike functions.

Thanks in advance

 

[ramani]

Hi,

In a LAN environment, the arrangement is ok. But in a WAN environment, if the execute files are used by the user, then it will surely create a perfomance degrade.

One alternative could be to make all the executables which need to be loaded by the users.. as small as possible.. so that the degrading is dispersed.

I would suggest, you can always make a default directory in the local users drive so that the applications can be put there. In addition, you can also have the same applications in the application drive in a separate directory as well. The idea is that .. you can to look for the application first in the USERS drive and if not available then look into the shared network drive. Your path setting can also be in that order.. first the user drive and then the network drive. This will reduce the dependence on LAN/WAN.

If it is a huge application, then you may want to consider a DATA server rather than FILE server .. but this needs your application to be suitably modified for this purpose.

Hope this is of help to your designing. ramani :-9
(Subramanian.G)
FoxAcc
ramani_g@yahoo.com

 

[VFP7]

Thanks ramani, I got the details, I wanted to know. But what about part 2 of my problem. I wanted to know how to define a folder as shared from inside the program, also how to map a shared folder to a drive letter from inside the program.

 

[ramani]

1. In the server side, you have to set the from the OS. I dont think it is possible to set the OS feature from within VFP. But given the links these days.. it might be possible.
Being a one time setup.. i will ignore this.
2. To map a network drive.. the easiest .. assuming Win95/98/Me/W2000 as the client and NT or LinuxSamba or any Win OS as the server.. the following command can set the directory share....
NET USE S: \\MyServer\MySharedFolder /YES
where S: is the Drive Letter for the Server created...

But remember the programme setting the share has to be in the Clients desktop or else, the purpose is lost.. IS EGG FIRST OR THE CHICKEN FIRST !!!

I hope this is helpful to you ramani :-9
(Subramanian.G)
FoxAcc
ramani_g@yahoo.com

 

[jonscott8]

To define network shares, try researching ADSI (Active Directory Services). I believe Rick Strahl did an introductory white paper. Try exploring

http://www.west-wind.com.

Examples are far and few between, but you can try all the related links (specifically the developer resources) at:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/howitworks/activedirectory/adsilinks.asp

To map a local drive to a shared folder, see:
How to map a network drive
thread184-44201 Jon Hawkins