Can I network Punch Clock without actually installing Punch Clock on my Server?
Yes, you can. This method is often preferred by system administrators, as it means less software to maintain on the server itself.
In this configuration, the Punch Clock database sits on a Server Share, while the networked WORKSTATIONS that will be using Punch Clock will all point to that database.
Here is a break down of the steps that are necessary for configuring Punch Clock in this scenario:
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SERVER INSTRUCTIONS
1) On your SERVER computer, open windows explorer and create a new folder to be home to the Punch Clock database. Put this folder somewhere that it will not accidently be removed or deleted.
2) While still in windows explorer, create a new share for the folder you created in step 1. Make sure to enable network users "FULL ACCESS" to this share. Name this share, something appropriate, like "Pclock". (For example, I created a share for "D:\Work Files\PunchDB\" called "Pclock". Assuming that my computer's network name is 'WORK1', I now have a share on the network named '\\WORK1\Pclock".)
3) Install Punch Clock on one of your network machines.
4) On the same computer from step 3, go into Punch Clock. Press F2 to enter the managers menu, and go to "Maintenance -> Database Location". This is where the installation program installed the Punch Clock database. Make a note of this location. (For example, the database location on my local copy of Punch Clock is: "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Pclock\PunchClock.mdb".
5) Still on the same computer, open windows explorer and copy the database from its current location to the new share that was created on the server. PLEASE NOTE -- The "Application Data" folder may be invisible when browsing through Windows Explorer. If so, you will need to go to Tools -> Folder Options -> View and select the option "SHOW HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS". |
The following steps are to be performed on each machine that Punch Clock will run on (we will call them "WORKSTATIONS"), not including the SERVER.
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WORKSTATION INSTRUCTIONS
6) In order for the WORKSTATIONS to use the same Punch Clock database as the SERVER, you need to create a MAPPED DRIVE. In Windows Explorer, browse the network to find the share on your SERVER (in our example, it was \\WORK1\Pclock. RIGHT-CLICK on that share, and choose MAP NETWORK DRIVE. Choose a DRIVE letter (I'm going to use "P:" in my example), leave "Reconnect at logon" clicked, and click on FINISH. (Now you have a drive mapped that contains the PunchClock.mdb file)
7) Install Punch Clock on the WORKSTATION.
8) Go into Punch Clock. Press F2 to enter the Managers Menu. Click on Maintenance -> Database Location". Click on the button on the right hand of the box, with "..." inside it. Find your mapped drive (P: in our example) and click on it. Choose OK at the bottom. The box on the Database Location screen should say "P:\PunchClock.mdb" (replace the "P:" with whatever drive letter you chose). Click SAVE. |
Repeat steps 6 thru 8 on all other WORKSTATIONS that Punch Clock will run on.
Free Download of Punch Clock
You can download a fully functional version of Punch Clock to evaluate free of charge. When you are done testing, you can
upgrade to a licensed version without losing your data. There is NO OBLIGATION for using the FREE EVALUATION of Punch Clock.