use vfp based application online

[Alok Mehta]

Hey guys,

I have a VFP based custom made application which I would like to use over internet instead of just private network. We have made 2 versions, main application where everything works on same machine and second application that accesses data from main application machine. (You can call it, one app on server and other app is for clients)

I would like to use my laptop as a server and use client application anywhere in the world.

Would like to know 2 things.
1. How to make my laptop into a server.
2. How to give path to these server dbf files to client based application.

Thanks
Alok

 

[GriffMG]

I think for that you need to be using Remote Desktop Services, any other route WILL result in corruption.

You could set it up on a laptop, but unless you only want couple of clients, it's not going to work.

I suggest you read this article to get a handle on how to set up a server, good luck

https://www.slashadmin.co.uk/how-to-setup-a-single-server-rds-deployment-using-server-2016/

Regards

Griff
Keep [Smile]ing

There are 10 kinds of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.

I'm trying to cut down on the use of shrieks (exclamation marks), I'm told they are !good for you. ​

 

[mjcmkrsr]

Hi,

You may want to consider using a NAS which you access over Internet("WebDav" protocol) and an app like "WebDrive" (costs probably > $500).

hth

MarK

 

[Tom Borgmann]

Hi Alok,

without adapting your application to i.e. FoxInCloud, RDP might be the only available solution.
RDP however strongly depends on your windows version. Remote access to a Win10 pc (no matter if desktop or notebook) requires Windows 10 Professional or Enterprise. Any other 'smaller' version can only access others.

For using RDP your 'little' Win10 workstation can be a thin client or full desktop or a tablet, whatever.

In the end, RDP means physically working on the remote workstation/server just as if you'd be sitting right in front of it and everything you do is displayed in a window on your local pc more or less like a video stream. This means: No direct access to local installed hardware and software.

By default RDP isn't activated on windows. You will have to do that on your own on every client and on your notebook, too.

The good side of this: Working with DBFs will be fine as app and database are on the same computer.

Whereby any remotely mapped drives would throw index and table errors on a regular basis due to oplock and smb problems. Those are already bad enough in a LAN but messing with them in a WAN will be a nightmare.

ADDED:

BTW, you will need a fix IP adress for being able to access your RDP Server. Cheapest way would be a DYNDNS provider.
And to get security into your connection you need something called VPN (virtual private network).
So, TWO miore things to look at and learn.


JM2C

-Tom

https://www.blogger.com/profile/08903165976787522012

 

[tomk3]

Hello,

just an adition to Tom's post (nice name )

There are other tools to access another PC online witout need for windows pro / vpn / fixedip/dyndnd ,
for example Teamviewer or Anydesk.

Basically you can
a) remote access another PC (your laptop) via teamviewer 7 Naydesk / RDP / TSPLUS , ...
b) share resources (NAS)
c) rewrite your app to work via internet (foxincloud, westwind webconnection)

If you only want to use your software installed on laptop from one other pc or you can share time with others I recomend a)

Best regards
Tom

 

[Steve Meyerson]

Hi Tom(s),

FYI I've used TeamViewer for a long time. It's free for personal use and it works great for a one-on-one host/remote control. For example you can even reboot the host & stay connected.

The pro version can handle simultaneous viewing/controlling multiple pc's, but it's not cheap. I think around US$700 per year.

Steve

 

[Tom Borgmann]

Hi Steve,

yes, Teamviewer is an option, as long as both sides (client and server) have someone sitting in front of them for establishing a secure connection.

However, AFAIK Teamviewer has some kind of unattended access. But it would still stay a 1:1 accessibility. The original question didn't seem to me, that this would be the case. But I might have understood that wrong.

RDP Servers allow access for multiple users within there own environments. I don't expect, that Teamviewer can offer that. For me it is a top product for remote access to a customer computer for educational purposes or finding and correction config and app errors.

JM2C

-Tom

https://www.blogger.com/profile/08903165976787522012

 

[Steve Meyerson]

Tom,

I think you're right. TVwr would allow multiple remotes but only one host so alll the remotes would have to be watching (or manipulating) the same (host) screen. That would probably not be practical to satisfy thed OP.

Steve