Access to Databases

[Dennis Brantley]

Morven Fraser wrote:
> 
> We are having some trouble setting up access to library databases for our
> distance education students.  The plan has been to set up access to
> databases, using ip recognition rather than passwords. As such we are using
> a proxy server that tricks the system into thinking that the students are
> accessing the databases from a university Internet account.  (Naturally,
> the students cannot use university Internet accounts since they are too far
> away and would have to pay long distance charges while on-line).
> 
> Anyhow, here is the problem.  When the students access the databases using
> the proxy the server is too heavily taxed and everything comes to a
> grinding halt.
> 
> Is anyone on a campus using a proxy server to allow access to students and
> how is it working for you?
> 

The use of a proxy server can be a good way to provide access.  The
bottleneck is probably due to the amount of traffic generated when
actually trying to use databases.

How many users does it take for the proxy server to become 'heavily
taxed'?  
What kind of databases are involved, PC-based or web-hosted?  
Is the database search software running on the client or the host?  
If on the client, does it reside on the client, or is it downloaded as
needed?

--
Dennis Brantley
Data Access Technologies, Inc./CD Solutions
Toll Free 1-888-4-DATI-CD (432-8423)
mailto:dennis at dati.com
Voice (770) 339-6554
FAX (770) 682-0629