PHP with ODBC to remote db, where does driver need to be and can I drop SSL on the connection?

Question

I need to connect from a web LAMP (PHP) environment to a remote Navision installation which has ODBC drivers on the server.

Does the web server need the ODBC drivers on it locally as well? Or does PHP connect to the Navision server environment with it's own local drivers?

Also, can I drop SSL on this connection for security - if so which component is it dropped onto? The ODBC connection?

Any help appreciated.

Answer 1

This depends on how you connect to Navision. Does Navision provide some kind of API by which you can access it (Webservices or something)? In that case, the LAMP server can use that API.

If you need to access the database behind Navision, then PHP needs access to the database. Either over ODBC or directly if possible (like FreeTDS if the database in question is a MS-SQL Server)

Answer 2

Simba offers a number of solutions that will allow you to stay with ODBC at the core of your solution. We have a client/server solution with extensive Linux/UNIX support. You can get a free evaluation version of it at http://www.simba.com/evaluate-odbc-sdk.htm. When you fill out the form, indicate that you are interested in Simba Client/Server and the Linux/UNIX platform(s) that you are targeting for your server.