Web services on Microsoft Internet Information Server 5.0

MS Access Database Support

Introduction

Two different database formats are currently supported in the Primus Microsoft hosting environment. These are Microsoft Access and Microsoft SQL Server 2000. In most cases access is the recommended choice but some high volume site will require Microsoft SQL Server 2000.

We do not support system DSN connections. The way we recommend connecting to an access database is via ADO. This can be done in two different ways. The first choice is to create the access database with Microsoft FrontPage, in which case FrontPage will handle all the connection strings. The other is to write the connection string by hand.

Access Database Support in FrontPage

This example will show how to set up a access database in FrontPage. It assumes that one has an existing database on ones workstation and is connected to the website live via FrontPage.

The first Step is to select Import from the File menu.

This will display the Import dialog, which will allow the selection of the database location.

After the file has been selected click on ok it will also ask for a connection name for the database.

FrontPage will then ask if it should put the file in the fpdb folder. This is recommended so an anonymous web user cannot download your database.

The database is now ready for use but the connection string can be further modified for values such as usernames and passwords by selecting Web Settings... from the Tools menu.

Then by selecting the Database tab all connection strings for the website should be visible as shown below.

This dialog will allow the verification of the database connection and modification of it.

The connection string for this database is stored in a file called gobal.asa in the root of your website and takes the following form.

--Project Data Connection
Application("mydatabase_ConnectionString") = "DRIVER={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};DBQ=URL=fpdb/test.mdb"
FrontPage_UrlVars(2) = "mydatabase_ConnectionString"
Application("mydatabase_ConnectionTimeout") = 15
Application("mydatabase_CommandTimeout") = 30
Application("mydatabase_CursorLocation") = 3
Application("mydatabase_RuntimeUserName") = ""
Application("mydatabase_RuntimePassword") = ""

Access Database support in Dreamweaver MX

This example goes through setting up an access database in Dreamweaver MX but assumes a few prerequisites such as the page from which one creates the database must include a server technology such as ASP.

The first step is to select Databases from the Windows menu. This will display the dialog as shown.

Then click on the Plus button as shown and select Custom Connection String.

Then enter a meaningful name for your connection and then enter the connection string. There are 2 properties of a “File Based” Database connection string that need to be defined:

• Driver= : This is the driver of the database format you want to use. In this example we are using MS ACCESS, or Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)
• DBQ= : This is the path to the database file. The path format is \\bc00201\vw00201\your.domain.name\your.database.folder\database.mdb, where your.domain.name is your domain name and your.database.folder is the folder on you website where.

The full connection string used in this example is:

Driver={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)}; DBQ=\\bc00201\vw00201\corptest.au.primusdc.net\mydatabase.mdb

After entering the connection string click on the test button to see if the details were entered correctly.

Note: You must now contact the Data Centre to make sure that the website is modified so that you database can't be downloaded. Your email should be sent to the following address support@primusdatacentre.com.au and include:

• Domain name
• Location of database on the website
• Name of database

MS SQL Support

This is available and is supported but is not part of the standard offering. Should you require this offering please feel free to contact us at support@primusdatacentre.com.au to obtain further details.