Hi SF Team,
As I have mention in the past, I am just a part-time VB.NET programmer. I am not on here very often, but when I need advice or REAL answers you guys are the ones I come to. That is why I love SF and renew my license every year to have access to this forum.
My scenario is this. I have written Win App obviously using SF. Each database only has to hold up to 500,000 records maximum so that is why I am using SQL Server Express databases. Currently, I have setup an VPN connection to enable 2 users to connect remotely to the databases within my client's network for running the win app. In addition, I have serveral small databases running on a single XP box using a single SQL Server Express instance. Depending on the client records they can connect to any one of the databases they choose. At the moment, everything is working great. However, he wants to setup up to 10 remote users. Therefore, it poses several questions in my mind that I am looking for some suggestions, advice or even How Tos. I think hosting this stuff on the internet would make my life easier in terms of supporting the remote users and updating changes to the databases, but being a part-timer I have NEVER done any of this before.
1. What is the simplest way to deploy updates to the remote users? Over internet?
2. If over the internet, would I host the updates on a ftp site that the remote users would download or have some way that the app automatically downloads the update?
3. Should I use a hosting site for the SQL Server Express databases so that I don't have to support 10 VPN connections?
4. If hosting the SQL Server Express databases on the internet is the way to go, do you have any suggestion on who I should use?
5. Also, if am going to host the databases on the internet, how do I make the connection using SF?
Sorry about all of the NEWBIE questions! But I want to do this the right way and I know you guys will give me the best advice.
Thank you and thanks again for this helpful forum and your great products.
Jeff