dawnEL

NEVERMIND!!! as I was writing the question, I was finnagling things and managed to get something right! Its works now! Thanks for all the info and help!

Well, I think I understand pretty well now, how is SHOULD work. Alas, its still not working. I've set my internal IP to static at 192.168.1.104. I figured out how to access my router, and set the port range 20-20 to forward to 192.168.1.104 for the application "filemaker". My database is open on that computer. Network Sharing is turned on. Using Safari I type in http://192.168.1.104 but I cannot connect so what do I need to change there? Second: I open IWP settings. The URL is already there for me and I cannot change it. It says http://192.168.1.104:20 but this is my internal IP. Where or how do I tell it my external IP? thanks for all your help!

I've been attempting to share 1 database for a while, but it seems that because I am 1 of 6 or 7 computers within a network, that there are more steps that I don't know about. We all have the same external IP, so I'd have to then direct a user to MY local IP. plus, I don't really know much about the port or "port forwarding." Does this mean I should use a DNS (would that even help)? What do I need to do? thanks

Ah HA! That was simple enough. But, when I go to my IWP settings, the IP address is already entered and not editable. So instead I went to advanced settings and entered my external IP address in the "accessible only from these IP addresses." and kept the Port # 80. Thanks for all the advice.

Well, what happens when you try my IP? http://192.168.1.116:591/ Was the IWP supposed to create an HTML file for me? or do I only need an iwp_home.html if I want to create my own beginning page for the database?

I'm new to FM, but I've managed to create a full database that I now would like to publish online so that my design clients can view and add info to the database. I followed all the directions in the full 34-page tutorial for setting up Instant Web Publishing, but when someone tries to access it from the web, there is nothing. I've specified an IP address and Port #, and privledge sets. I click ok. Is there another step before this can be viewed online? Was this supposed to create an HTML file in my FM/Web folder? because it didn't. What is the proper way to access the database from the web?