Ok, this one is going to show my naïveté on the intersection between VB6 and things internet related.
Let me outline the issue:
I'm working with folks in setting up a MySQL server. Several of us have already managed to "hook up" in two different ways:
* Via the MySQL Workbench software.
* Via an ODBC connection and MS-Access.
No problems so far.
And let me outline what's required to do either of those above "hook ups":
1. Receive a VPN username and password. (Or, be sitting at a computer within the WAN. And, in these Covid times, that's far from given.)
2. Receive permission to access a specific IP address.
3. Receive a username and password for the MySQL server.
Those three steps are the most difficult. It's more politics and paperwork than anything else, but the people actually using the MySQL server aren't the same people who are actually in charge of administering those passwords and permissions (not even in the same city). Furthermore, each of those three steps is administered by a different department. So, it's a bit of a mess. However, that's not exactly what this post is about, as there's nothing I (nor anyone involved in this project) can do about that. It's just bureaucracy we must deal with.
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Ok, installing MySQL Workbench won't be necessary for most of the users. In fact, we don't want that at all for most of them.
And, going through all the ODBC connection stuff is complex. And it fails if all the passwords and permissions aren't in place.
Therefore, what would be nice is a small program that could be executed that says either, "MySQL database is working" or "MySQL database can't be reached".
I can accomplish a test of the items #1 and #2 (above) by simply pinging the IP address. But, I'd like to make a clean interface to do that part. So, how do I do a simple "ping" from VB6? The fewer (or none) dependencies is highly preferable. If this little test program isn't portable, it won't be worth it.
Secondly, if the ping is successful, how would I get VB6 to prompt for a MySQL username and password (and this is before any ODBC drivers are installed). I know this is possible because MySQL Workbench is doing it.
Any/all ideas are more than welcome. Admittedly, I haven't done a search yet, and I'll be doing that next. But, this is specific enough that I'll be surprised if I find much.
Thanks In Advance,
Elroy
EDIT: I know how to prompt for a username and password. I just don't know what to do with them once I've got them. I suppose it's going to take someone with some MySQL experience to help with that one. I suspect the port we're using will also get involved, but I don't think that's a problem. Also, the data source name, and database name will probably be needed, but we've got that too. In fact, I'll probably hard-code all but the username and password into this little VB6 test program.
Let me outline the issue:
I'm working with folks in setting up a MySQL server. Several of us have already managed to "hook up" in two different ways:
* Via the MySQL Workbench software.
* Via an ODBC connection and MS-Access.
No problems so far.
And let me outline what's required to do either of those above "hook ups":
1. Receive a VPN username and password. (Or, be sitting at a computer within the WAN. And, in these Covid times, that's far from given.)
2. Receive permission to access a specific IP address.
3. Receive a username and password for the MySQL server.
Those three steps are the most difficult. It's more politics and paperwork than anything else, but the people actually using the MySQL server aren't the same people who are actually in charge of administering those passwords and permissions (not even in the same city). Furthermore, each of those three steps is administered by a different department. So, it's a bit of a mess. However, that's not exactly what this post is about, as there's nothing I (nor anyone involved in this project) can do about that. It's just bureaucracy we must deal with.
----------
Ok, installing MySQL Workbench won't be necessary for most of the users. In fact, we don't want that at all for most of them.
And, going through all the ODBC connection stuff is complex. And it fails if all the passwords and permissions aren't in place.
Therefore, what would be nice is a small program that could be executed that says either, "MySQL database is working" or "MySQL database can't be reached".
I can accomplish a test of the items #1 and #2 (above) by simply pinging the IP address. But, I'd like to make a clean interface to do that part. So, how do I do a simple "ping" from VB6? The fewer (or none) dependencies is highly preferable. If this little test program isn't portable, it won't be worth it.
Secondly, if the ping is successful, how would I get VB6 to prompt for a MySQL username and password (and this is before any ODBC drivers are installed). I know this is possible because MySQL Workbench is doing it.
Any/all ideas are more than welcome. Admittedly, I haven't done a search yet, and I'll be doing that next. But, this is specific enough that I'll be surprised if I find much.
Thanks In Advance,
Elroy
EDIT: I know how to prompt for a username and password. I just don't know what to do with them once I've got them. I suppose it's going to take someone with some MySQL experience to help with that one. I suspect the port we're using will also get involved, but I don't think that's a problem. Also, the data source name, and database name will probably be needed, but we've got that too. In fact, I'll probably hard-code all but the username and password into this little VB6 test program.