What methods are supported to remotely connect to the FIMS database?

Are the following connection methods supported for use with FIMS?

• Wide Area Network (WAN)
• Virtual Private Network (VPN)
• Remote Access
• Citrix
• Terminal Services
• Remote Desktop Services (RDS)

Answer:

WAN and VPN connections are not supported for use with FIMS.

The only supported methods for remotely connecting to FIMS databases are Citrix, Terminal Services/Remote Desktop Services, or Azure. These solutions reduce the amount of traffic that must be transmitted across a wide area network. In thin-client architecture, only data relating to keystrokes, mouse activity, and screen shots are transferred across the remote link. All actual data processing takes place on a specialized server (separate from the database server) at the main site. By eliminating the need to transfer raw data across the network, thin-client products can dramatically increase performance for organizations that make extensive use of remote connections.
 
FIMS is designed to operate in a Local Area Network (LAN). Connecting via a Wide Area Network (WAN), Virtual Private Network (VPN), DSL, ISDN, or dial-up connection is not supported or recommended since it is much slower. Although FIMS may run over a WAN, performance (including printing issues) will vary depending on your system configuration (such as NIC performance, cable type, topology, operating system, parameters, and network traffic) and is therefore not supported.

Remote control programs: Remove control programs such as Symantec's PC Anywhere, Virtual Network Computing (VNC), or GoToMyPC are used by numerous organizations when working off-site. As with thin-client products, we do not support the installation or configuration of the remote control applications themselves. These applications allow remote users control of a PC in the local office. The remote PC transmits only keyboard presses and mouse clicks to the main PC connected to the LAN, which then relays screen updates back to the remote PC. All actual data processing still takes place on the main PC connected to the LAN at the main site (separate from the remote PC used to connect to it). Display settings and screen refresh rates are typically degraded as viewed from the remote PC. These programs require two computers (one at the remote site and one at the local office) and may prove to be an expensive or inefficient solution for widespread use.