Afternoon folks.

I find myself trying to ask two huge questions which unfortunately are tightly linked so I have to ask them together.

First, let me just tell you I have a slackbox at home with a fairly hefty mysql 5.1 database on it. I have a bog standard home type router-ap-switch attached to this 'server' and my home workstation. The router connects to both machines providing a static ip and connects to my isp using DHCP. As far as I can tell my ISP changes my IP address every 24 hours. Now the questions....

1) I am contemplating writing a Java based client to install on other machines at my work place to access this database. Do I set up a VPN and will it work with my routers address changing so frequently, or is there another way to access this database with Java?

2) Is writing a web interface better? My experience with HTML is limited and I tried to place my database on a hosted server with problems. I had data entry forms on individual pages and every time I pressed my submit buttons, the whole page had to refresh to the next form (including my navigation menu's etc) and it was really, really slow. Not exactly looking like a professional application. Is there a way to leave the rest of my page intact and just update the bit that contains the form?

Like I say two big questions, but I guess one affects the other. I really don't want to host this database on a commercial server, I just want access to the server I have at home, whether it's web based or Java based.

Thanks everyone.

FRAMES or without FRAMES?

The biggest problem is the dynamic address on your home location. If your work place has a static public address you could setup a VPN tunnel that way.

Also running any type of services such as a web server from your home network could be against your service agreement with your ISP.

mmmmm.....

first answer, without frames preferably. Like I say, my html knowledge is pretty limited.

second answer, yep dynamic address is a problem. I think I'm going to go with programming a Java client to access the database. How do I connect to the database from another machine though the internet? Is a VPN the only option? (other than getting a static IP from the ISP. I live in Ecuador and the ISP's don't have this kind of flexibility yet.... we've only just got 1meg broadband.

How about getting a router that has built-in VPN capability? If you can set up a persistent VPN-tunnel to your workplace, you're set ... and the router just does all the heavy-lifting for you.

From your point of view, you just send the traffic to thus-n-so IP address. What the router does, with that traffic, is to tunnel it.

Didn't know that they existed to be honest. My networking knowledge is at least 7 years old and that long ago you were looking at serious Cisco stuff which didn't come out of pocket change.

Great advice though and perfect for the Java interface I want to write without me having to faff about with VPN security protocols etc etc.

[Quick Update] Looks like there may be a Linux distro that performs this type of router function too, I'm just waiting for the name from another forum and I'll post it on here. I've ordered two VPN routers to give them a try but delivery is seven weeks to Ecuador. Thanks guys, you put me on a good track.

If you're interested in router-based VPN, go jump on E-Bay and see what's available (you're looking for Cisco router) -- lots of folks going out of business or upgrading. A quick look shows price ranges from $20 on up...