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Using MS Access Databases with MySQL on Your Virtual Server

Using Windows MySQL ODBC drivers you can import Microsoft Access databases directly to your Virtual Server. All you need to do is install MySQL on your Virtual Server and install the supplied ODBC drivers on your own PC. You can then use MS Access databases on your Virtual Server using MySQL. It's that easy.

Exporting an Access Database into MySQL

  1. You must successfully install MySQL on your Virtual Server. Be aware that you will need to consult the MySQL users manual for information on using MySQL.

  2. Add a user with password privileges if you like to your MySQL database. Instructions on this are contained in Section 6.8 - - Adding new user privileges in the MySQL users manual.

  3. Download and install the necessary ODBC MySQL driver on your computer. There are currently drivers available for both Window95 and Windows NT. Select the appropriate driver for your computer.

    1. Window95
    2. Windows NT

  4. Unzip the appropriate driver on your computer, likely in a temp directory or other location of your choosing.

  5. Run the setup program for the driver. To do this simply double-click on the setup.exe in the directory you unzipped the driver in.

  6. Following the setup of the MySQL driver on your computer you will need to configure it for use. To do this go to your Control Panel (start -> setttings -> control panel) and double click on ODBC icon. You will then need to select whether you want to configure the ODBC driver for use by a single user or for use by every user on the computer. The first tab, "User DSN" is for only a specific user and can only be used on your specific computer. The second tab, "System DSN" is used to configure the ODBC driver for all users on your computer. Depending on which you choose to use, you will then click the add button on the right side. By clicking the add button you will be given a choice of drivers you can set up for a data source. You should find MySQL in the list. Select MySQL and click finish.

  7. The TDX mysql driver default configuration screen will then appear. You will want to fill out the fields with the appropriate information.

    1. Windows DNS Name: type a name for this particular driver that you will be using for MySQL. The name is something of your choosing. (example: everyoneMySQL)

    2. Server: This is the name of the Virtual Server you will be publishing your database to. (example: myserver.net)

    3. MySQL Database Name: This needs to be the MySQL user you created in step #2 in this list. (example: mysql)

    4. Password: Simply the password, if applicable for the MySQL user in the field above.

    5. Port (if not 3306): If you are behind a Firewall you will need to open up port 3306 or another port you specify or it will not work correctly.

  8. Now you are ready for using Access. Open up Access and create or select the database you want to move to your Virtual Server in the Tables section. Once you have selected the appropriate table, select Save As/Export under File. This will allow you to select the "To an External File or Database" option. Click OK.

  9. The Save Table screen will appear. You will want to select the field and then change the "Save as type" to ODBC Databases and click Export.

  10. The Export screen appears. The "Export Addresses to:" should simply be the name you want to call this specific database table on the Virtual Server.

  11. The "Select Data Source" screen should then appear. Select the "Machine Data Source" tab and then select the Data Source Name you should have set up previously in step 7a.

  12. The table should then be moved to the Virtual Server under the user you specified for MySQL. To verify this Telnet or SSH to your Virtual Server and find the table. An example of this would be the command: 
    % mysql -u <user name> <mysql or other database instance>

Importing an MySQL Database into Access
  1. While in the Tables tab right-click on the mouse button. This will provide you an option for "Import". In the Import screen select ODBC in the "Files of type" field.

  2. This will provide you the "Select Data Source" screen. You will again select the "Machine Data Source" tab and choose the appropriate "Data Source Name" that you setup previously.

  3. The "Import Objects" screen will appear and you will be given a choice of available tables on the Virtual Server that you can choose from. Select the table you want and click OK.

  4. Now you have the appropriate table from the Virtual Server on your computer for use within Access.



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