When a user attempts to connect to a database using either the command line or a CONNECT statement and exceeds the maximum number of users allowed to connect to the database, as specified with the Number of Users (-n) startup parameter, OpenEdge denies the connection request and displays an error message. OpenEdge also records the connection denial in the database log file.

The following figure shows a connection denial when a connection request exceeds the maximum number of users. In this example, the Number of Users (-n) startup parameter allows a maximum of three user connections. When the fourth user attempts to connect, OpenEdge denies the connection.

Figure 1. Connection denial when the user count is exceeded


When OpenEdge denies a user connection because the maximum number of users is exceeded, you must terminate an existing connection before the user can establish a new connection.

You can use database usage reporting features to track user connections to databases. For information about database usage reporting features see Manage the OpenEdge Database.

For more information about the Number of Users (-n) startup parameter, see Startup Command and Parameter Reference. For information about coding applications to handle connection denials, see OpenEdge Programming Interfaces.