Port used for docmd.transfertext (2000 (9.0.3821) SR-1)

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This may be more appropriate on the Windows 2000 board, but since it involves an Access application, I’ll start here.

I have an application that uses both the doCmd.TransferText and doCmd.TransferDatabase actions to transfer information between a centralized database located on a shared drive and remote applications located on workstations on a WAN.

Recently, as part of a security audit, I have been asked to identify any any ports accessed and the protocol used.

My question then, is what, if any port and protocol is used when performing these actions? As a side note, what port and protocol is involved between a linked table when there is a front-end and back-end database. Especially if the back-end database is on a server and the front-end database is on a workstation.

Thanks,

Vernon

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I think your security people are somewhat ignorant on the database front. Access isn’t using a specific port or protocol, it is using the established default connection, whatever that may be, unless you’re using a DNS connection or a Microsoft Data Link to establish the connection. Normally, the protocol will probably be something like TCP/IP or NetBUI, but it depends on how your network connections are set up. Access doesn’t do that, Windows and the NOS do.

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Thanks for the quick response. Actually, we are using a DNS connection and TCP/IP. Is there a way I can tell by looking at the network settings on the control panel which port is being used? Also, does would that mean at least theoretically that each workstation where the app is installed could have a different port configuration to access the network? Or am I totally missing the boat on your response. As you can tell, when it comes to networks, I’m woefully uninformed.

Thanks,

Vernon

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Unless you have specifically built your own system (to transfer data), then your network guys need a wake up call. Access uses File I/O commands. So, when you read data on a network BE, from a local FE, it is using the same ports and protocols that are used for opening a Word doc off the network drive.

Quite honestly I have no idea what ports are used for network file sharing…..i’d guess they are under 128, because that is where most ‘industry standard’ ports are (that number may be higher, I’m shooting from the hip on that….)

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In any case, it isn’t something that Access controls, so the question is misdirected. If they don’t know what ports the network is using, you won’t be able to tell them.

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Maybe Vernon should tell them 25 and 110. See if their network guys are on the ball, and realize that those are the SMTP and POP3 ports!

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Hi,
I think the default port for ODBC connections is 446. If your back-end is SQL server (which I suspect it’s not from your post) then you will need to allow inbound and outbound TCP and UDP on ports 1433 and 1434 as far as I know. If all else fails, have them shut ports one by one until your app stops working! More seriously, it is their job to know what ports are in use not yours.
HTH.

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