Question

Opening Files on Remote Server in Filemaker Pro 10 Advanced

Asked by: SFSDIT

I can't open files from FileMaker 10 Pro that reside on my Filemaker 10 Server Advanced machine.  I put in the IP address although is tells me their is an error opening the remote file.
I have Filemaker Pro 10 on my local machine and want to open it remotely from my FileMaker Pro 10 Server.  What's up!

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Asked On
2009-10-04 at 06:18:37ID24783542
Topic

FileMaker Pro Database

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Answers

 

by: lesouefPosted on 2009-10-04 at 09:19:59ID: 25489618

not clear which way you want to open what??
from fm pro to open a remote file: fmnet:/xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/[dbname]
using your browser: fp7://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/[dbname]
from server to open the client: does not really make sense...

 

by: paulvaneykelenPosted on 2009-10-06 at 11:53:53ID: 25508455

On the server you need to open the admin console and check the status of the files
If they are in Normal state you should be able to open FileMaker Pro on your system, select open remote and either the server shows up in the list or you can use the IP address of the server. Make sure to include the IP address and name of the file if you are not using the browse feature.

You can create a little starter FileMaker Pro file that you keep on your local machine.
Create a script that opens at startup and contains

Open File ["Name of Remote File"]
Close File [Current File]

When you click on the file the system will automatically open the remote file.

 

by: SFSDITPosted on 2009-10-06 at 15:50:50ID: 25510736

Correct me if I'm wrong since I'm new to Filemaker and Filemaker Server.  If the database is in normal status and it is published using IWP am I correct in stating that the only way I can open the database to edit its layout is to close it on the server?  Unless I close the db I get a message saying the file is locked.

 

by: SFSDITPosted on 2009-10-06 at 15:55:00ID: 25510768

For Lesouef,

I have FileMaker Server 10 Advanced since I want to have many concurrent users.  I have a dedicated server running and I can't open the DB to edit it on my local machine.  Yes, I want to use my local FM Pro to open a remote file running on the server, but the file won't show when I put in the remote servers address.

Is that because the DB is still "normal" on the Server while runnning IWP.  Do I have to close the DB before I can edit its layout?

 

by: lesouefPosted on 2009-10-06 at 22:33:05ID: 25512443

probably not shared before being placed on server: can you see a checkbox "pro" in the publishing mode chart when displaying databses in the admin console<
close it on server, move it on your local machine, share it and palce it back on server, open it
then it should be visible
and yes layouts can be edited on the fly

 

by: SFSDITPosted on 2009-10-06 at 23:45:27ID: 25512650

Followed your instructions and still can't see the file on the remote machine.  have to go to open and then navigate to it and then I get the attached messages.

 

by: lesouefPosted on 2009-10-07 at 12:58:22ID: 25519356

!! you are trying to open the file by using a shared volume! its locked by the fm server
you should use open remote from fm pro! (shift ctrl O) to use filemaker sharing, not the OS file system

 

by: paulvaneykelenPosted on 2009-10-07 at 15:36:46ID: 25520875

It seems you are trying to open the file directly, while it is being hosted by the server.
You need to open the file using the Open Remote command.

You do not link, map or in any other way connect to the FileMaker Pro server. The only way you connect to the system is via the IP connection.

You can make changes to the layout, write scripts etc while the file is hosted by the server.
Issues occur when you

(1) try to change Global variables: Each user gets its own set of the global variables, so changes made via a remote connection are not permanent. You should control global variables either via a script or via a so called preferences table.

(2) If you attempt to create new fields in a table you run the risk of it being stopped by users using a particular database.

Also when you make changes to the database it affects everyone connected to the server, which can be very annoying for a user.

 

by: lesouefPosted on 2009-10-07 at 23:51:37ID: 25522770

>You do not link, map or in any other way connect to the FileMaker Pro server. The only way you connect to the system is via the IP connection
the only way is a URL using the fp7 protocol: fp7://192.168.xxx.xxx/databasename

 

by: paulvaneykelenPosted on 2009-10-17 at 12:13:43ID: 25597052

Which is an IP connection

 

by: lesouefPosted on 2009-10-18 at 00:22:26ID: 25599015

indeed, but the address format was to be mentionned

 

by: SFSDITPosted on 2009-11-02 at 03:36:09ID: 25718520

I've been round and roun pursuing these suggestions and I appreciate all the input.  I almost lost my find sharing, not sharing, open via local FM on the FM server only to continue to get the sharing issue.  Solution was disabling the Windows Server 2008 Firewall.  Would have helped me keep my sanity.  Thanks for all the comments.

 

by: lesouefPosted on 2009-11-02 at 04:10:41ID: 25718681

just opening port 5003 is enough for fm sharing.

 

by: SFSDITPosted on 2009-11-02 at 04:13:00ID: 25718698

Thanks lesouef I'll open the port tomorrow and give it a shot!

 

by: lesouefPosted on 2009-11-02 at 05:05:26ID: 25718931

for fm remote admin console you also need 50003 and 50006

 

by: SFSDITPosted on 2009-11-02 at 05:06:44ID: 25718939

Sweet, thanks for that!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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