Networking Blues

[printit]

A client trying to host some bound runtime files through Filemaker Pro 5.0. The host computer is running Windows 2000

When someone try's to connect to the host computer (win98) they get the flowing message

"Order Entry.pit is currently in use and could not be opened. The file is single-user or the host could not be found on the network"

All files are set to multi user and the TCP/IP is set

Also when clicking the host button on the remote computer, none of the files show up.

Anyone have a clue as to what could be going on?

Thanks Ron Bascom

[Vaughan]

How do you know they are set to multi-user?

[printit]

Thank you for the fast response

I know all the files are set to multi-user because I've been on the phone with this customer for hours with no luck

We did a test we created a database with just one field in it and tried to connect via TCP/IP and that did not work either, but when we took that file to a different computer, the other remote computers where able to open it as multi-user

This company is also very familiar with FileMaker and understand about the network protocol and the multi-user option

They are also treating to send back the software if we do not resolve this issue soon.

www.priceitsoftware.com

Thank You

Ron Bascom

[Vaughan]

Router or firewall?

Can bound files even be set to multi-user?

[The Bridge]

"Can bound files even be set to multi-user? "

Yes, bound files are treated pretty much the same as normal files when opened by FileMaker, unless the developer has bound the files with Prevent Modification of Database Structure checked. I don't think that this option would affect their ability to be shared, however. I could be wrong.

[IdealData]

Sounds like you are "hosting" via FMP - by definition the files are now open.

You need FMServer to "host" bound solutions

[printit]

Yes bound files can indeed be opened in regular FileMaker Pro and set to Multi-user so they can be accessed over a network with more then one user at a time.

We have a lot of customers that are using the program in this manner including myself without any issues at all.

The test that we did proved that the database files are not what is causing the problem

They also have Peach Tree hosted on this computer as multi-user without any problems.

Thank you

Ron Bascom

[LiveOak]

FMI recommends that you dedicate a computer to FM and not host multiple applications (Peach Tree). This recommendation is specifically targeted to FM Server, but I think it applies more strongly to FM client, if you are using it as a host.

-bd

[Kurt Knippel]

With multiple peer-to-peer hosted application sharing a single machine with a non-server OS you really start to rely on alot of stuff working together that was never designed to, nor tested.

Do you know that Peachtree and Filemaker do not share the same resources for networking?

Do you know that Peachtree has been properly designed for a multi-user environment?

Do you know that Windows can properly handle multiple applications sharing the various OS networking resources?

Regardless of the whether thing "should work" or not, just perform a simple ROI (Return On Investment) on the situation. It cannot be much more than say $500 for a new workstation class machine running WindowsXP. Have you spent this much troubleshooting or in lost productivity yet? How about over the next 2 years (or whatever the life of current WinTel PCs is)?

I have found almost no situation where the ROI shows that it is better to have a single machine serving multiple applications.

My advise: Get another machine to run the Filemaker solution and call it a day.

[The Bridge]

My advise: Get another machine to run the Filemaker solution and call it a day.

I agree wholeheartedly; unfortunately, it seems that PrintIt is in the position of having sold a FileMaker solution to a customer, and it is the customer that is having the trouble. Although this may come too late, I would suggest to PrintIt to emphasize the need for a dedicated server to prospective clients on their web site and avoid phrases like "...developed to run alongside your accounting program"; that way there are no surprises.