James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
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Does anyone know a good company that offers access to hosted SQL Server instances?
Should I just look at web hosts that offer this service or should I look for a specialist?
I'm looking at building some client software that will go out to clients that have no interest on having a server on site. The only way round it that I can think of is to have a SQL server instance hosted somewhere and then each client instance connecting via the Internet.
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VrsTurbo
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Registered: 8th Jun 10
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most hosting companies do it. I would also look at security implications too as i believe some ISO standards wont allow data thats unsecure being transmitted via the internet unless its https
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Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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As Vrs said, most hosting companies will deal with setting up a SQL DB (either managed or offer you VPS/Dedi boxes) but security would be my main concern.
The other option is to look at local DB instances and P2P; it's far from ideal having to keeping data sync'd but I have seen it implemented in a number of custom software and it works pretty well. Plus it's a lot easier to deal with security.
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James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
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So day that one customer had 5 clients running, they have no desire to have a server, so each client would have a local DB and then they are kept in sync using P2P?
That assumes that all PCs are even on a network, which might not even be the case.
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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Can't your software run from the web browser entirely? The whole thing could be totally remote then.
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James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
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I considered that also but it's going to require quite a rich UI and also be able to integrate locally with things like light controllers etc.
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Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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quote:
Originally posted by James
That assumes that all PCs are even on a network, which might not even be the case.
Surely they'll be on 'some' network for internet access if you're proposing the idea of using a remote DB? And if they don't have network/internet access then how does having an external DB help (would you save locally and update later?) 
Either way it's an alternatively, although granted it isn't suitable to ever application. But i certainly wouldn't be entertaining the idea of storing data externally if it is sensitivity in anyway (saying that i have worked on software in the past that has and it was a royal PITA meeting 'standards'; wasn't my idea but ended up going down the route of using a VPN to the box).
[Edited on 23-02-2012 by Dom]
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James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
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quote:
Originally posted by Dom
quote:
Originally posted by James
That assumes that all PCs are even on a network, which might not even be the case.
Surely they'll be on 'some' network for internet access if you're proposing the idea of using a remote DB? And if they don't have network/internet access then how does having an external DB help (would you save locally and update later?)
Yes if they have internet access then you could argue there is about a 99% chance they will be on some kind of network.
The most sensitive data that will be stored is customer names and addresses.
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James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
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Having said that, there's no guarantee that they will even have internet access, so a locally deployed DB is probably the best solution. Plus the performance will be better.
I can also use SQL Server Express which is free so it will bring costs down.
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James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
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I think if the customer has multiple client PCs, I will just have to have a requirement that they must be networked.
Then one of the clients can just host the DB and the other clients can connect to that DB via the local network.
That way there are no sync hassles.
[Edited on 23-02-2012 by James]
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Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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quote:
Originally posted by James
I think if the customer has multiple client PCs, I will just have to have a requirement that they must be networked.
Then one of the clients can just host the DB and the other clients can connect to that DB via the local network.
That way there are no sync hassles.
Only issue of grouping the server onto a client system is that client machines are then dependant on that system remaining up. It might not be an issue but obviously it's far from ideal.
How dead-set are they on not having a dedicated server? Is it simply a cost issue?
And does it need to be SQL or could it be an open source DB?
[Edited on 23-02-2012 by Dom]
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Wrighty
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Registered: 28th Feb 04
Location: Howden
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i work for cable and wireless in hosting and we offer fully managed hosting solutions including managed DB's, oracle and SQL
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Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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quote:
Originally posted by Wrighty
i work for cable and wireless in hosting and we offer fully managed hosting solutions including managed DB's, oracle and SQL
Blantant plug is blantant 
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Wrighty
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Registered: 28th Feb 04
Location: Howden
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its just an option to look into, theres nothing init for me what so ever i dont even like working there
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