ASA Database Administration Guide
  Connecting to a Database
    Connecting from desktop applications to a Windows CE database

Using ActiveSync 3.0 and a serial cable

To connect to a Windows CE device from your desktop over a serial cable, Adaptive Server Anywhere uses the TCP/IP protocol. For TCP/IP to work in this context, your ActiveSync installation must be set up to provide a Remote Access Service (RAS) link between desktop machine and Windows CE device.

ActiveSync 2.2 automatically installs and configures RAS, and you can connect in a straightforward manner.

For information, see Connecting from desktop applications to a Windows CE database.

ActiveSync 3.0 does not install and configure RAS. You must install RAS yourself to obtain TCP/IP connectivity to your device over a serial connection.

Instructions for installing RAS are provided by Microsoft. They are available at http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q241/2/16.ASP (Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q241216). You must follow these instructions exactly , including re-installing any Windows NT service packs, and granting your user account dial-in access using User Manager.

As you follow the instructions, where it says to install your modem, choose Dial-up Networking Serial Cable between 2 PCs instead.

Using RAS with ActiveSync 

The following list includes suggestions for enabling ActiveSync 3.0 connections over a serial connection using RAS:

1. In the ActiveSync Connection Settings, select the checkbox Allow network (Ethernet) and Remote Access Service (RAS) server connection with desktop computer. You may need to turn off the checkbox Allow serial cable or infrared connection to this COM port.

2. On the desktop, using Remote Access Administrator (under Administrative Tools on Windows NT), start RAS on COM1.

3. On the Windows CE device, run the ActiveSync client (repllog.exe on a Windows CE PC). Choose serial connection.

4. Wait for up to one minute for a connection to be established.

5. As a test, run the ipconfig utility on Windows NT, and see the 192.168.55.100 static IP of the device. This is the IP you would use when connecting to an Adaptive Server Anywhere database server (for example) running on the CE device.

6. If you switch devices, Stop and Restart the RAS service (or reboot).

7. If everything is set up as above, but you still fail to get a connection from the device to the desktop, you should make sure your Port settings match the baud rates in the Modems Control Panel applet.