ASP access to Data on Remote devices

[p byers]

Good Morning Folks

I have a LAN
Among the several connections to it are the following four devices:
A MAXSTOR network Storage Device
A PC running Microsoft Windows 2000 Server 5.0.2195 (SP4)
A PC running Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 (SP2)
A PC running Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 (SP2)

All of the PCs are running IIS

The 'Public Internet' is connected via a Broadband connection from the
LAN

On the MAXSTOR is a folder called 'CENTRALDATA'
In that folder are a number of Access dotMDB files.

The Access files can be opened on all of the PCs by double clicking on
them in Windows Explorer.

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====
QUESTION ONE

Can the access files on the MAXTOR be accessed from dotASP pages on the
three PCs ??

If so, how ??

If so, are there any simple tutorial pages that explain in simple
language how to do it ??


=============== =============== =============== =============== ====
I have a similar 'CENTRALDATA' folder on a "Public Internet Server" that
I own

QUESTION TWO

Can the access files on the "Public Internet Server" be accessed from
dotASP pages on the three PCs ??

If so, how ??

If so, are there any simple tutorial pages that explain in simple
language how to do it ??


=============== =============== =============== =============== ====
I have a similar 'CENTRALDATA' folder on a "Public Internet Server" that
I own

QUESTION THREE

Can the access files on the "Public Internet Server" be accessed from
dotASP pages on other "Public Internet Server" servers ??

If so, how ??

If so, are there any simple tutorial pages that explain in simple
language how to do it ??


=============== =============== =============== =============== ====
By the way, I tried to create Virtual Folders using IIS Admin on the
three PCs on the LAN, but it will not allow it for 'Remote' folders.

I await your replies with interest
Thank You in Advance

Pete (Northolt UK)

[Anthony Jones]

"p byers" <[e-mail] in message
news:48******** *******@sst-ltd.co.uk...

Good Morning Folks

Whether it is morning depends on a) when the reader reads the message and b)
what timezone they are in.
I read this this morning and I'm UK based to so good morning back. But its
afternoon now, or is it?

>
I have a LAN
Among the several connections to it are the following four devices:
A MAXSTOR network Storage Device
A PC running Microsoft Windows 2000 Server 5.0.2195 (SP4)
A PC running Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 (SP2)
A PC running Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 (SP2)

All of the PCs are running IIS

The 'Public Internet' is connected via a Broadband connection from the
LAN

On the MAXSTOR is a folder called 'CENTRALDATA'
In that folder are a number of Access dotMDB files.

The Access files can be opened on all of the PCs by double clicking on
them in Windows Explorer.

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====
QUESTION ONE

Can the access files on the MAXTOR be accessed from dotASP pages on the
three PCs ??

If so, how ??

If so, are there any simple tutorial pages that explain in simple
language how to do it ??

You haven't stated whether you are expecting users to access the site
anonymously or not.

If all access is to be from users who have domain accounts on your network
then turn off anonymous access on the IIS site and turn on windows
intergrated security. Now grant access for those users to the file share
and folders containing the MDBs as would if the were accessing them via the
file system.

If you need anonymous access you will need more work. By default IIS
creates an IUSR_<machinena memachine guest account which it used to access
files. This account has not access to the network. Therefore you need to
create a new account in the domain and change the anonymous access on the
IIS to use this new domain account. Grant this account file access as
above.

>
=============== =============== =============== =============== ====
I have a similar 'CENTRALDATA' folder on a "Public Internet Server" that
I own

QUESTION TWO

Can the access files on the "Public Internet Server" be accessed from
dotASP pages on the three PCs ??

If so, how ??

If so, are there any simple tutorial pages that explain in simple
language how to do it ??

I guess that depends on what you mean by 'access'. If you mean can you use
JET queries against a copy of an MDB held on a public server I would say
thats probably not a good idea.
What is it you want to do? Download it? Do you need to upload it as well.

>
=============== =============== =============== =============== ====
I have a similar 'CENTRALDATA' folder on a "Public Internet Server" that
I own

QUESTION THREE

Seems identical to second.

>
=============== =============== =============== =============== ====
By the way, I tried to create Virtual Folders using IIS Admin on the
three PCs on the LAN, but it will not allow it for 'Remote' folders.

Creating virtual folders for a UNC path is possible, you must specific a
user name and password that IIS will use to access the folder. That however
would not help with DB queries against MDBs on remote server.


--
Anthony Jones - MVP ASP/ASP.NET

[p byers]

Anthony
Thank you for your reply.

I tried so hard not to 'screw-up' my request and to give all of the relevant
information !!

Such irony to slip-up on the 'Salutation' - lol

The access to the ASPages (both on the PCs on the Local LAN and on the 'Public
Internet') will be anonymous.

The access to the Databases is Jet Queries only - not uploading or downloading.

In simple language, I would like several servers running IIS (LAN and 'Public
Internet') to serve ASPages to be able to use the a Common (the same) Database -
not individual copies.

-AND-

to do it simply by quoting the appropriate Shared Folder in the DataSource of
the 'Open' statements.

-BUT-

I am too dim to be able to do it, I have Searched, Read and Struggled for ages -
and FAILed so far.

-HENCE-

My simple plea for simple help from clever folks

Thank you
Pete (Northolt UK)

Anthony Jones wrote:

"p byers" <[e-mail] in message
news:48******** *******@sst-ltd.co.uk...

Good Morning Folks

Whether it is morning depends on a) when the reader reads the message and b)
what timezone they are in.
I read this this morning and I'm UK based to so good morning back. But its
afternoon now, or is it?

I have a LAN
Among the several connections to it are the following four devices:
A MAXSTOR network Storage Device
A PC running Microsoft Windows 2000 Server 5.0.2195 (SP4)
A PC running Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 (SP2)
A PC running Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 (SP2)

All of the PCs are running IIS

The 'Public Internet' is connected via a Broadband connection from the
LAN

On the MAXSTOR is a folder called 'CENTRALDATA'
In that folder are a number of Access dotMDB files.

The Access files can be opened on all of the PCs by double clicking on
them in Windows Explorer.

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====
QUESTION ONE

Can the access files on the MAXTOR be accessed from dotASP pages on the
three PCs ??

If so, how ??

If so, are there any simple tutorial pages that explain in simple
language how to do it ??

You haven't stated whether you are expecting users to access the site
anonymously or not.

If all access is to be from users who have domain accounts on your network
then turn off anonymous access on the IIS site and turn on windows
intergrated security. Now grant access for those users to the file share
and folders containing the MDBs as would if the were accessing them via the
file system.

If you need anonymous access you will need more work. By default IIS
creates an IUSR_<machinena memachine guest account which it used to access
files. This account has not access to the network. Therefore you need to
create a new account in the domain and change the anonymous access on the
IIS to use this new domain account. Grant this account file access as
above.

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====
I have a similar 'CENTRALDATA' folder on a "Public Internet Server" that
I own

QUESTION TWO

Can the access files on the "Public Internet Server" be accessed from
dotASP pages on the three PCs ??

If so, how ??

If so, are there any simple tutorial pages that explain in simple
language how to do it ??

I guess that depends on what you mean by 'access'. If you mean can you use
JET queries against a copy of an MDB held on a public server I would say
thats probably not a good idea.

What is it you want to do? Download it? Do you need to upload it as well.

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====
I have a similar 'CENTRALDATA' folder on a "Public Internet Server" that
I own

QUESTION THREE

Seems identical to second.

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====
By the way, I tried to create Virtual Folders using IIS Admin on the
three PCs on the LAN, but it will not allow it for 'Remote' folders.

Creating virtual folders for a UNC path is possible, you must specific a
user name and password that IIS will use to access the folder. That however
would not help with DB queries against MDBs on remote server.

--
Anthony Jones - MVP ASP/ASP.NET

[Bob Milutinovic]

"p byers" <[e-mail] in message
news:48******** ******@sst-ltd.co.uk...

>
In simple language, I would like several servers running IIS (LAN and
'Public
Internet') to serve ASPages to be able to use the a Common (the same)
Database -
not individual copies.

<snip>

There's an oft-abused acronym of "UNC" which'd help you greatly here.

Have a read of the URL below; hopefully that'll be enough to set you in the
right direction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_(c...ing_Convention

- Bob.

[p byers]

Bob

Thank you for your advice.

The "Computer Name" of my MAXTOR storage device is: MSS-0135F8
On the PC on which I am testing, it is Mapped as the 'S:' drive

I created a tiny test ASPage which is shown below.

There are three "dataBaseRo ot" values

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====

The first is to prove the Script by using a Local Database table - it works OK

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====

The second uses the Mapped drive name - it fails as below

Error Type:
Microsoft JET Database Engine (0x80004005)
's:\atest\ReCon stituted_wwwroo t\Data\common\d ata\org_data.md b' is not a valid
path. Make sure that the path name is spelled correctly and that you are
connected to the server on which the file resides.
/test/testshare.asp, line 14

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====

The third is my attempt to use a UNC string - it fails as below

Error Type:
Microsoft JET Database Engine (0x80004005)
'\\MSS-0135F8\atest\Re Constituted_www root\Data\commo n\data\org_data .mdb' is not
a valid path. Make sure that the path name is spelled correctly and that you
are connected to the server on which the file resides.
/test/testshare.asp, line 14

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====

Where do I go next ??

Pete (Northolt UK)

<%

dataBaseRoot = "c:\inetpub\www root\Data\commo n\"

''dataBaseRoot = "s:\atest\ReCon stituted_wwwroo t\Data\common\"

''dataBaseRoot = "\\MSS-0135F8\atest\Re Constituted_www root\Data\commo n\"

DBCon = "Provider=Micro soft.Jet.OLEDB. 4.0; Data Source=" & dataBaseRoot &
"data\org_data. mdb"
''Response.Writ e("<P>" & DBCon)
''Response.end

set my_conn = Server.CreateOb ject("ADODB.Con nection")
my_Conn.Open DBCon

%>

Bob Milutinovic wrote:

>
There's an oft-abused acronym of "UNC" which'd help you greatly here.

Have a read of the URL below; hopefully that'll be enough to set you in the
right direction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_(c...ing_Convention

- Bob.

[Anthony Jones]

"p byers" <[e-mail] in message
news:48******** ******@sst-ltd.co.uk...

Anthony
Thank you for your reply.

I tried so hard not to 'screw-up' my request and to give all of the

relevant

information !!

Such irony to slip-up on the 'Salutation' - lol

The access to the ASPages (both on the PCs on the Local LAN and on the

'Public

Internet') will be anonymous.

The access to the Databases is Jet Queries only - not uploading or

downloading.

>
In simple language, I would like several servers running IIS (LAN and

'Public

Internet') to serve ASPages to be able to use the a Common (the same)

Database -

not individual copies.

-AND-

to do it simply by quoting the appropriate Shared Folder in the DataSource

of

the 'Open' statements.

-BUT-

I am too dim to be able to do it, I have Searched, Read and Struggled for

ages -

and FAILed so far.

-HENCE-

My simple plea for simple help from clever folks

I'm gonna guess that what you mean by public server is a server you run on
your network which is accessible to the public.

Add a new user to your domain (lets call it IUSR but you call it what you
like) and make it a part of the GUESTS group. Set its password never to
expire.

On the File server (MAXTOR?) grant IUSR read/write access to the file share
that contains the mdbs. Similarly grant the IUSR access to the folder that
is being shared.

The 2000 server will have a website or application folder which needs access
to an mdb on the file server. Open the site or applications properties in
IIS manager. Go to directory security, click edit... in authentication
control, clear Intergrated Windows authentication, click edit... anonymous
access, change the username to the domain IUSR account (use the browse
button to select this) and enter the IUSR account password. Clear the Allow
IIS to control password box and ok out the dialogs.

Grant IUSR at least read rights on the folder that is the root of the site
or application.

Open local security policy (in admin tools) on the 2000 server. Expand
Local Policies and click User Rights Assignment. In the list select and
edit 'Log on as batch job' add IUSR to the set of accounts that can logon as
a batch. While you're there look through the list of rights looking of
rights granted to IUSR_<machinena mewhere ever such a right is granted add
the IUSR (I think batch is the only one necessary, if that).

Access some simple htm or gif in the application from a browser to check you
got those steps correct. If that fails check the event logs, you'll likely
have some message complaining about the username, password or access rights.

I notice form subsequent replies that you may be attempting to access the
mdbs on a mapped network drive. The process that ASP applications run in
cannot see network drives. You must use UNCs to access network resources.

The site should now be able query the mdb files.

The steps for the XP systems are the same (note you only need one IUSR
account for the domain).

--
Anthony Jones - MVP ASP/ASP.NET

[p byers]

Anthony
Thank you for your reply

I will follow your advice step-by-step - hopefully arriving at the desired
solution.
I guess that I need to get to understand ActiveServer and create a Local Domain
on my LAN before I can start.

At the moment, connections on the LAN are achieved by IP Address or Machine
Name.

Only one point of correction - "Public Internet Server" is a phrase that I use
to describe a Windows 2003 Server hosted for me by '1and1 ltd' - I have total
use and control over that server, it is NOT shared access to a '1and1' Server.

I host around 80 of my own WebSites on it and provide hosting for other folks
too.

Sorry that I did not make that clear in my original question.

I also have several sites hosted with other ISPs

I dream of giving these other sites access to Databases on my 'own' server !!

Pete (Notholt UK)

Anthony Jones wrote:

"p byers" <[e-mail] in message
news:48******** ******@sst-ltd.co.uk...

Anthony
Thank you for your reply.

I tried so hard not to 'screw-up' my request and to give all of the

relevant

information !!

Such irony to slip-up on the 'Salutation' - lol

The access to the ASPages (both on the PCs on the Local LAN and on the

'Public

Internet') will be anonymous.

The access to the Databases is Jet Queries only - not uploading or

downloading.

In simple language, I would like several servers running IIS (LAN and

'Public

Internet') to serve ASPages to be able to use the a Common (the same)

Database -

not individual copies.

-AND-

to do it simply by quoting the appropriate Shared Folder in the DataSource

of

the 'Open' statements.

-BUT-

I am too dim to be able to do it, I have Searched, Read and Struggled for

ages -

and FAILed so far.

-HENCE-

My simple plea for simple help from clever folks

I'm gonna guess that what you mean by public server is a server you run on
your network which is accessible to the public.

Add a new user to your domain (lets call it IUSR but you call it what you
like) and make it a part of the GUESTS group. Set its password never to
expire.

On the File server (MAXTOR?) grant IUSR read/write access to the file share
that contains the mdbs. Similarly grant the IUSR access to the folder that
is being shared.

The 2000 server will have a website or application folder which needs access
to an mdb on the file server. Open the site or applications properties in
IIS manager. Go to directory security, click edit... in authentication
control, clear Intergrated Windows authentication, click edit... anonymous
access, change the username to the domain IUSR account (use the browse
button to select this) and enter the IUSR account password. Clear the Allow
IIS to control password box and ok out the dialogs.

Grant IUSR at least read rights on the folder that is the root of the site
or application.

Open local security policy (in admin tools) on the 2000 server. Expand
Local Policies and click User Rights Assignment. In the list select and
edit 'Log on as batch job' add IUSR to the set of accounts that can logon as
a batch. While you're there look through the list of rights looking of
rights granted to IUSR_<machinena mewhere ever such a right is granted add
the IUSR (I think batch is the only one necessary, if that).

Access some simple htm or gif in the application from a browser to check you
got those steps correct. If that fails check the event logs, you'll likely
have some message complaining about the username, password or access rights.

I notice form subsequent replies that you may be attempting to access the
mdbs on a mapped network drive. The process that ASP applications run in
cannot see network drives. You must use UNCs to access network resources.

The site should now be able query the mdb files.

The steps for the XP systems are the same (note you only need one IUSR
account for the domain).

--
Anthony Jones - MVP ASP/ASP.NET

[Anthony Jones]

"p byers" <[e-mail] in message
news:48******** *******@sst-ltd.co.uk...

Anthony
Thank you for your reply

I will follow your advice step-by-step - hopefully arriving at the desired
solution.
I guess that I need to get to understand ActiveServer and create a Local

Domain

on my LAN before I can start.

Umm... that would seem to me to be a pre-requisite.

At the moment, connections on the LAN are achieved by IP Address or

Machine

Name.

Only one point of correction - "Public Internet Server" is a phrase that I

use

to describe a Windows 2003 Server hosted for me by '1and1 ltd' - I have

total

use and control over that server, it is NOT shared access to a '1and1'

Server.

>

Sorry I'm not clear on this now. You want query an mdb hosted on this
server from one on your internal network?
Do you have access to file services on this machine? Are you really sure
you want to be doing JET queries (not known for their robust nature) over a
VPN style link (if you have file service access you would want be using a
VPN)?

I host around 80 of my own WebSites on it and provide hosting for other

folks

too.

Thats both the blessing and the curse of IIS. Much can be achieved without
a great deal of understanding of how it works.

Sorry that I did not make that clear in my original question.

I also have several sites hosted with other ISPs

I dream of giving these other sites access to Databases on my 'own' server

!!

>

--
Anthony Jones - MVP ASP/ASP.NET

[Chris Hohmann]

"p byers" <[e-mail] in message
news:48******** *******@sst-ltd.co.uk...

Bob

Thank you for your advice.

The "Computer Name" of my MAXTOR storage device is: MSS-0135F8
On the PC on which I am testing, it is Mapped as the 'S:' drive

I created a tiny test ASPage which is shown below.

There are three "dataBaseRo ot" values

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====

The first is to prove the Script by using a Local Database table - it
works OK

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====

The second uses the Mapped drive name - it fails as below

Error Type:
Microsoft JET Database Engine (0x80004005)
's:\atest\ReCon stituted_wwwroo t\Data\common\d ata\org_data.md b' is not a
valid
path. Make sure that the path name is spelled correctly and that you are
connected to the server on which the file resides.
/test/testshare.asp, line 14

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====

The third is my attempt to use a UNC string - it fails as below

Error Type:
Microsoft JET Database Engine (0x80004005)
'\\MSS-0135F8\atest\Re Constituted_www root\Data\commo n\data\org_data .mdb'
is not
a valid path. Make sure that the path name is spelled correctly and that
you
are connected to the server on which the file resides.
/test/testshare.asp, line 14

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====

Where do I go next ??

Pete (Northolt UK)

<%

dataBaseRoot = "c:\inetpub\www root\Data\commo n\"

''dataBaseRoot = "s:\atest\ReCon stituted_wwwroo t\Data\common\"

''dataBaseRoot = "\\MSS-0135F8\atest\Re Constituted_www root\Data\commo n\"

DBCon = "Provider=Micro soft.Jet.OLEDB. 4.0; Data Source=" & dataBaseRoot &
"data\org_data. mdb"
''Response.Writ e("<P>" & DBCon)
''Response.end

set my_conn = Server.CreateOb ject("ADODB.Con nection")
my_Conn.Open DBCon

%>

Bob Milutinovic wrote:

>>
There's an oft-abused acronym of "UNC" which'd help you greatly here.

Have a read of the URL below; hopefully that'll be enough to set you in
the
right direction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_(c...ing_Convention

- Bob.

The "S" drive is mapped to a network file share on MSS-0135F8, correct? If
so, what is the name of that file share. The name of the file share should
appear in the folder tree in Windows Explorer (i.e. the file manager). It
should appear as something like:

myfileshare on 'MSS-0135F8' (S:)

So, in the example above the UNC you should use would be:

\\MSS-0135F8\myfilesh are\atest\ReCon stituted_wwwroo t\Data\common

[Bob Milutinovic]

"p byers" <[e-mail] in message
news:48******** *******@sst-ltd.co.uk...

Bob

Thank you for your advice.

The "Computer Name" of my MAXTOR storage device is: MSS-0135F8
On the PC on which I am testing, it is Mapped as the 'S:' drive

I created a tiny test ASPage which is shown below.

There are three "dataBaseRo ot" values

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====

The first is to prove the Script by using a Local Database table - it
works OK

=============== =============== =============== =============== ====

The second uses the Mapped drive name - it fails as below

Error Type:
Microsoft JET Database Engine (0x80004005)
's:\atest\ReCon stituted_wwwroo t\Data\common\d ata\org_data.md b' is not a
valid
path. Make sure that the path name is spelled correctly and that you are
connected to the server on which the file resides.
/test/testshare.asp, line 14

This would appear to be a major failing.

From the machine you're running the ASP scripts on, can you get to
S:\atest\ReCons tituted_wwwroot \Data\common\da ta\org_data.mdb using Windows
Explorer?

If not, you'll need to create a permanent mapping to drive S: on _that_
machine, so IIS can reference the network drive.

If you can navigate to it with Explorer, then it'd likely be a
setting/permission issue within IIS, but I've never encountered this
before - and not having an IIS machine readily available to me at the
moment, I can't dig through the settings to see if there's anything in there
which would prevent you from accessing network shares from within a script.

To eliminate the possibility of it being a peculiarity of the external
Maxtor device, you might want to try accessing a share on another physical
(Windows-based) computer. You might also want to use
Scripting.FileS ystemObject and ReadTextFile to read a text file from drive
S:, to see if an ASP script can access simple files from a shared source
(and if this succeeds, the blame'll lay on JET/OLEDB).

- Bob.