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File locking on 2003 Server Share

Hi:

I am wondering if there is a way on 2003 server to share a directory, but once someone opens the application to lock the files so that another user can not open them until the first user exist the application.

The situation is I am setting up an old dos application that is single user, I however need different people to access the program throughout the day so i want it to be on the server, they do not need to be in it at the same time. If some one is in the program and someone else tries to get in, if the file was locked it would not be able to be opened and the second user would just get an error and try again later.

I don't know if this is possible or not, I know you can with novell.

Thanks

Craig_200X

If you share the folder, on the share properties allow 1 person on the user limit. That should do it.

Craig_200X

share the folder or drive by right clicking it and selecting SHARING and SECURITY. Click Share this folder. Give it a name and set permissions for everyone or specific people. If it is a drive.. click new share and give it a name and the permissions. (You wont be able to "SEE" a drive or folder ending in $ it will be hidden)

hpeet

ASKER

Thanks for the input, that would likely be the answer especially based on my question, the only problem is that this company runs this program for 20 plus companies so I was going to have one share, say maped to F: and then the 5 users could each go into one of the companies and do there work but not at the same company at a time. I would not have enough drive letters to create a seperate share for each one. It is an old program so it needs to run as a mapped drive can't use UNC. If you have any further ideas they would be appreciatted.

Thanks again,

Craig_200X

If I understand correctly, if the program is not accessing a central database you could make copies of the program in separate (companyname) foders and share each folder with max user limit 1 (giving only the accounts/people access to THEIR company folder) - giving a different mapping to the program to each company. That way you dont have to have separate drives... I think you could probably do virtual drive mapping here too.

hpeet

ASKER

Correct, not a central database, the data for each company resides in a different dir. What do you mean by a virtue drive mapping, is that mapping a drive using the net use command?

Craig_200X

Actually its a bit different. like mounting a disc. but I think it would be easier to just share multiple folders, and limit the connections ... mapping them to the individ company.

hpeet

ASKER

Thanks I will give that a try!

hpeet

ASKER

I am on site and the program is a DOS program that all data resides in the same folder as the program, i can only launch the application once I get an error can't access a file that is required. I have increased the max user limit but can only run the app once. It was running on a novell server where they flagged this file as shareable, is there any way with 2003 server to flag a file as shareable so it can be accessed more then once?

Thanks

Craig_200X

yah by changing that limit in the sharing tab properties. but I think your error is indicating that a file is missing for it to execute.. have you correctly placed the files it needs in the directories the program is programmed to look in?

hpeet

ASKER

I have it set to maximum but only allows program to be launched from 1 workstation at a time gives a library file error, the file does exist in the correct place but once it is opened by a workstation it can't be opened from another, this is a shared file for the application to open. In novell you would flag that file as shareable.

Craig_200X

in Windows all files are shareable unless the program locks specific files for writing. DLL files are also locked by the operating system - which uses them to access functions.

could be this program uses a style of programming that locks the file. where is this file that is locked located?

hpeet

ASKER

All the program and data file are in one directory that is shared on the server, this share is then mapped a drive letter and the application .exe is launched from the shortcut. The file that is locked has .lbi extension.

Craig_200X

ok this should be an easy solution. And the one you wanted. you only wanted 1 person from a company to access the file.

1 - make copies of the program and all of its files in separate (companyname) folders (20 of em right ---->> 20 times)

2 - share each folder with max user limit of 1 (giving access only to the accounts/people in the company of that company folder)

3 - MAP shortcuts to the program onto the desktops of the end user of their respective company.

This should only allow 1 person max from the company to access the program in their company folder.

hpeet

ASKER

Thanks I will give that a try. Thanks for all your assistance.

Craig_200X

Hpeet,

were you successful ?

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Craig_200X

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Craig_200X

Thank you Hpeet!