Accessing machine while on Cradle?

I need to read some information from a file on my laptop from the application i've written for my Palm.
The program needs to read from my laptop while on the cradle and then write that information to a database using RMS.
Is there a for the program to access the laptop while on the cradle?

I would run a servlet on the laptop to serve up that info to the mobile client. You might be able to find HotSync API wrapper in IBM J9, but I personally think running a servlet is a much more portable (and easier to implement) solution.

Can a PDA without a Wi-fi connection access a servlet running on the laptop?

I believe you can simulate ethernet over the sync connection. It is very easy for PocketPC and I *think* is possible with Palm. But I have not used a Palm for a long time.

hmmm......
I dont know of any way to do it....
I already have a Servlet solution, but can't use it for Palms without a Wi-Fi connection.
I tried turning off the Wi-Fi on my palm and running it when connected to the cradle, but it just prompts me to turn on Wi-Fi, and if I dont it wont work through the cradle.
I need to test PocketPC's as well eventually, do you have a link to instructions for setting up the "HTTP over Cradle" on PocketPC?

For Palm, you can setup TCP/IP over the serial cradle. This article (almost 4 years old!) discusses how to do it under Linux. I do not have info about USB/Windows cradles. But it cannot be too hard.
http://www.oreillynet.com/lpt/a//network/2000/05/05/magazine/PalmLinux.html
For PPC, shared network is enabled by default when you pair a device with a PC. If not, there is an easy menu option to select -- check your activeSync help files.