Remote Connectivity Questions

WAN technology is often the cause of many failures with database applications because of the lack of understanding on how these private networks truly operate.  Connecting one computer network at one location to another computer network remotely, via a low bandwidth dedicated circuit, can offer great advantages in file access to many applications.  Such is the case with products like Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel.   These types of products only need to retrieve a single file at a time for working on a document or spreadsheet.  There is never the need to worry about other work stations wanting to retrieve or change information on the same document or spreadsheet at the same time.

However, software applications that use database storage techniques don't deal with data in the same manner.  Database applications store thousands of records (e.g. customer information, past invoice/payment history, etc.) within a single file structure on a network server.  This ultimately means that data retrieval is much more extensive and noticeable on networks with low bandwidth.  In most cases, database applications will cripple a network by stealing all available data-bandwidth when performing simple operations like a database lookup.

One must also understand that even client-server based applications can sometimes be a problem for WANs with small dedicated circuits and large number of users.  Certain processes, like running reports remotely, can be enough to severely slowdown all users working on the WAN. 

For this reason, we strongly recommend considering products like Citrix Metaframe or MS Terminal Services as a remote connectivity solution.  The advantages greatly outweigh the benefits of a WAN or VPN connection in performance, stability, deployment and price.  Instead of trying to maintain several small inter-connected networks, one only has to deal with one large network in one location.

A VPN is one or more WAN links over a shared public network, typically over the Internet or an IP backbone from a Network Service Provider (NSP), that simulates the behavior of dedicated WAN links over leased lines.

Using the true definition of a VPN, performance with database driven applications (like ManageMore) are typically poor when using low-bandwidth connections.  However, some remote session software packages and certain hardware devices that use VPN techniques to run applications remotely can work quite well with ManageMore.  Therefore, we must be careful when we discuss the viability of a VPN with ManageMore.  Unless your database administrator knows for a fact that your VPN infrastructure works well with database-type applications, we discourage the use of such technology with our products.

For more information on this subject, refer to the Q&A above on Wide Area Networks (WAN).

• Screen lag may be apparent on slower speed data connections
• Redirection of COM port devices is typically not possible with most remote communication software applications
• Monthly expense in phone lines or dedicated circuit for remote connection
• Additional computers and other hardware is typically involved