Connecting a Remote Client
Big Business users ask regularly for a solution allowing them remote connectivity for a Client to Big Business Server. This Solution provides recommendations (3479)
Big Business Server is designed for Local Area Network (LAN) use, because of the amount of data transferred between the Server and Client. System requirements for Big Business Server include a dedicated server machine and an Ethernet network. Ethernet allows for up to ten (or one hundred) Megabits of data per second between server and client. By comparison, a remote service such as ISDN tops out at 128 Kilobits of data per second. Relative to a LAN connection this is a small fraction of the necessary speed (128 Kb/10,000 Kb).
The Client loads all important Indexes (Customer List, Item List, and so on) during Sign-In. If you allow several minutes for the data transfer, you may end up with a Client with acceptable performance, provided your connection is fast, clean, and your data file is not too large.
A much more efficient option is the use of "remote control" software. Imagine that you want to work from home. Using a product such as Timbuktu or PC Anywhere allows you to remote control you "office" computer from home. Your office computer has the advantage of a direct connection to servers and resources at the office. What you see from home is simply a screen shot of the work your "office" computer is doing. The screen shots and your clicks and typing are the only data sent over your (much slower) remote connection.
In practice it works quite well. The downsides are that it engages two computers (the "office" machine and your remote machine), and that it may present problems to control the printing (do you want to print on the "office" printer or your remote printer?). The upsides are vastly superior performance and a built-in measure of security.
Visit the links below for more information on the aforementioned products. This solution does not constitute an endorsement of either product, nor is it a recommendation that you use our product in a manner outside of its design. We are simply relaying user experience, including the common misconception that "my connection is fast enough." Where possible, test before you invest.
Connecting to Remote Server
When you launch Big Business Client it displays any locally available Big Business Server on the Available tab. To connect to a remote Server enter a Name and IP Address on the Custom tab.
This Solution provides instructions for connecting to Big Business Server from a remote Client. (5528)
To connect to a Big Business Server outside of your local network:
1. Launch Big Business Client while holding the Option key (on a Mac, or launch and immediately hold the Alt key on a Windows PC)
2. On the Connection dialog, click the Custom tab
3. Enter any name and the Server's IP address.
4. Click the OK button to connect.
5. Wait while resource files are copied from the server, which may be a few minutes.
If the connection fails:
6. Check your Network settings.
7. Check with your network administrator that Ports 19813 and 19814 are open if a Firewall is in place.
If performance is too slow:
8. Verify the connection speed on both ends. Most important are the downstream speed on the remote end, and the upstream speed on the Server end.
9. Consider remote desktop options like RDC, TeamViewer, etc.
If you need help:
10. Big Business Support includes unlimited setup help. Call or email to support@bigbusiness.com for assistance.