What's the difference between the recommended and alternate setup?

In a multi-user environment, QuickBooks uses a database server to manage access to the company file. multiuser, . Whenever users want to work with the company file, their QuickBooks software communicates with the database server, which in turn communicates with the company file.

• In the recommended multi-user setup, the database server is run by a copy of QuickBooks that is installed on the same computer as the company file.

• In the alternate multi-user setup, QuickBooks is not installed on the same computer as the company file (for instance, because the computer is file server only or is a NetWare server). multiuser, . This means that the database server must be run by a copy of QuickBooks that is installed on a user's computer. multiuser, . The hosting computer can differ during each multi-user session, depending on which user first opens the company file in multi-user mode. multiuser, .

Recommended setup

The graphic below shows how the recommended setup works.

1. When the user on Computer 1 performs any QuickBooks operation, QuickBooks sends requests to the database server on Computer 2, where the company file is located.

2. The database server reads data from and writes data to the company file, and returns any requested information to the user on Computer 1.

Alternate setup

The graphic below shows how the alternate setup works when Computer 2 (a user's computer) is set up to host multi-user access to the company file.

1. When the user on Computer 1 performs any QuickBooks operation, QuickBooks sends requests to the database server on Computer 2.

2. The database server on Computer 2 reads data from and writes data to the company file on Computer 3 and then returns any requested information to the user on Computer 1.