How to update data on production via backend

[malibu65k]

We have a ColdFusion web application that uses an MS Access database. Once in a while when I open the database to fix data, which shouldn't need to be done but the way it was written it's currently the only way, the website will go down. I've had it open for hours removing profiles that are years old and nothing happens but ever so often the site goes down. What is the alternative to doing this? The IT Manager said to move the database to the Desktop to make the changes then copy it back over to Production. But I said that this will then overwrite all the inputs made to the Production db during that time. The use of the database is 24 hrs a day. Is Replication something I could consider?

 

[dhookom]

You should be able to use ColdFusion to modify the data. That's what CF is good at.

Duane
Hook'D on Access
MS Access MVP

 

[malibu65k]

That's the problem. I'm not authorized to make modifications to the ColdFusion app to update/change the data. I'm a programmer but contract issues don't allow me to code. This problem would be so easy to fix if I could.

 

[dhookom]

I seem to recall many years ago, the ability to create a DSN to the data file on the server. I'm not sure if that is an option for you.


Duane
Hook'D on Access
MS Access MVP

 

[malibu65k]

I created a DSN but I don't know how to link it from within ColdFusion administrator. But I may try that again and research on how to link to it as well. But I am using Access 2007 so I wonder if that makes a difference in being able to use a DSN.

 

[dhookom]

The DSN would have nothing to do with CF. I don't even know if it's possible.

With one of my websites, I have a SQL Server database and tools to manage the data.

Duane
Hook'D on Access
MS Access MVP

 

[malibu65k]

Government budget constraints won't allow an upgrade to an sql server. Although it would be smart, we have about 2500 users in a table of which more than have no longer work for the program and the half are active users but only about 20-50 active users in a day. I have no means of updating data for some areas of the program other than opening the backend database to update records. Not sure if this would be crashing the server causing the website to go down, althought the website often goes down without the backend even being open or the server could be going down because of the many active users on the database despite me having it open as well. Records are continuosly being written to the table while I have it open but we are afraid of corruption if I open the backend and work. Would replication be an option or it still possible to corrupt the data and/or take the site down either way I work with the backend?
IT suggested I make a copy to my desktop, make the changes and then copy the database back to the production server. I don't feel this is the right answer being the records entered by the users will be overwritten.

 

[dhookom]

SQL Server Express is free.

I don't know much about replication but I expect it would require taking the database off line for a period of time to create the master and other files.

Duane
Hook'D on Access
MS Access MVP