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beldaz
Asked: 2014-07-17 15:31:01 +0800 CST

Providing database connection via web server

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I am creating a database (in PostgreSQL, but this question is hopefully independent of the underlying DBMS) that will be hosted remotely. Most access will be provided through a web-based front end using Apache, but I would like to allow some users retrieve results from custom queries into Excel, SPSS, SigmaPlot, etc. Direct ODBC connections to databases appear to be supported by the likes of Excel through data connections. I would prefer all access to go through Apache over HTTPS, not least because I need to support special handling of credentials. Is there an established way to do this?

database

1 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    No, not out of the box. Your clients are expecting to speak ODBC to the remote (database) server. Apache doesn't speak ODBC natively, so it can't reply properly.

    If you have time to spare, you might be able to build an Apache module that does speak ODBC, but if you could, you wouldn't be asking the question here. Or alternatively you can build a front-end to your database that is based on HTTP like what AOL did.

    Common approaches are:

    • allow your remote users to connect to your network using a VPN and then grant access to the database for VPN connected clients.
    • Grant SSH access and use SSH port forwarding

    Or install one of the many browser based database management tools: https://wiki.postgresql.org/wiki/Community_Guide_to_PostgreSQL_GUI_Tools

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