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I am using Firebird on Windows (Delphi 2010 developed Application).

Is it possible to use Firebird Embedded for small number of users?

http://www.firebirdsql.org/manual/fbmetasecur-embedded.html

If we have our application with embedded firebird on a single machine (on a LAN), could multiple users (12-25) use it. Each machine running the app, pointing to the firebird database embedded with the app on the single machine? Sharing the same database?

Or is the embedded version 1 user only?

Marcus Adams
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IElite
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3 Answers3

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Starting with Firebird 2.5 multiple Firebird embedded users can connect to the same database file simultaneously.

Andrej Kirejeŭ
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  • Andrei - it seems you are right. I read threough the release notes of 2.5 and it is indeed also part of the embedded version as well. http://www.firebirdsql.org/file/documentation/release_notes/html/rlsnotes251.html – IElite Dec 21 '11 at 20:38
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    Accessing a single database using embedded from multiple machines is the road to database corruption and locking conflicts. Don't do it: use a server. – Mark Rotteveel Dec 22 '11 at 10:48
  • I believe, Firebird has introduced the new feature based on some usecase where it fits. – menjaraz Dec 22 '11 at 13:05
  • No, shared file access over the network should *never* be done with a Firebird database. You simply risk corruption because most likely the lock-file will be local to each individual computer! – Mark Rotteveel Dec 22 '11 at 13:37
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Although the Firebird 2.5 allows multiple applications on a single machine to access a single database file with embedded, this should not be done for multiple users accessing a single database file over a LAN with embedded.

It could easily lead to corruption of the database due to sharing and locking problems. If you want to access a Firebird database over the network: use Firebird server. It is easier, most likely more performant and it won't corrupt your database file.

You don't even need a server system to run it, depending on your exact needs and load, a normal desktop machine should be enough.

Mark Rotteveel
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Why not use standard (not embedded) version? It is very lightweight.

rstrelba
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  • Maintenance? I've thinking of this same approach, except for just 1-5 users. – Leonardo Herrera Dec 21 '11 at 18:47
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    Firebird is a "zero maintenance database" ;) – Andrej Kirejeŭ Dec 22 '11 at 10:09
  • by maintenance he means the chore of installing the server and keeping track of which is the server with multiple network installations. With a shared database on the network you just fire up any number of clients and they all work without needing a server. – dendini Oct 09 '13 at 09:23