Connecting to Metrix Remotely from Different Locations - Documentation for Metrix Users and Administrators

Introduction

A common challenge that many organizations face is enabling users in different physical locations to access a centralized database. Although Metrix was not designed to be used this way, there are certain workarounds one can try to achieve the effect.

Please note that this method also works when a client computer is in the same physical location as a terminal server.

The Workaround

Using Windows Terminal Services

This method is recommended for organizations that have an IT team or a tech-savvy staff member who can assist with this setup. To remotely access Metrix from multiple locations, activate Microsoft Windows Terminal Services on a machine located in a remotely accessible location. Install the Metrix client on that machine. Then, from another location, connect to this machine using Windows' built-in Remote Desktop tool. Once logged in, you will be looking at the remote machine as if you were sitting in front of it. At that point, you can launch Metrix as you would any other application.

Please read the attached Terminal Server Overview MS Word document.

Using a Browser-based Service

This method is recommended for organizations with no IT team or tech-savvy person on staff. You can use a service like logmein.com to connect to your computer remotely via a Web browser. All you need to do is create an account with the service and install a program on the remote computer. You can then connect to the remote Metrix computer from any computer that has Internet access by logging on to the service.

Questions and Answers

Why can't I just set the database connection in the Metrix client to the URL of the Metrix SQL server?
Although this might work with some Microsoft Access databases, it will not work with Metrix. This is because the references to the "library files" that need to be set from the Metrix client require a Windows file path, not a URL.

What if I set the database connection to the SQL Server's URL, and then use WebDAV to map a local file path for the library files?
Theoretically, this might work, but the Metrix team has not tried it.

Cautions

Logging in remotely is likely to be somewhat slow, and you should test the workaround mention above thoroughly before implementing this as a standard practice at a site.

Also, to ensure that sensitive data is not passed over the internet, users of this technique should also be certain that the connection between their computer and the remote computer is encrypted .

Note that the Metrix team has not tested this method of using Metrix, and we do not actively support it. Feel free to share your experiences with this technique on the mailing lists. See http://metrix.fcny.org/community/mailinglist.html for more information.