Which Filemaker is appropriate?

[nbrunskill]

Hi,

I have developed (with the wonderful help help of some in this forum I must say) a FileMaker system which needs to be accessed by about 10 people over a LAN and about 10 people via the web. I have read other posts about FM Unlimited and FM Server, but am not entirely clear on when is appropriate. I understand Unlimited allows an infinite amount IP addresses for web access and FM Server is for LAN serving, but I'm not entirely clear on when each is useful. Do I need both or just one of them?

thanks!

Nate

[andygaunt]

If you are having 10 people accessing over a LAN, then you will probably want FM Server. FM Client can host upto 10 guests, but don't expect super fast access with this method. You would want 1 machine just to host the database (with no one using that machine for day to day work).

With FM Server, you will get faster access, automatic backup, a much more enjoyable experience.

For the Web, FM Unlimited will enable your remote users to access the database (but you will have to build a full on web version of the database). You could have them connect via remote tools, such as Timbuktoo or Citrix Server direct to the FileMaker Server databases.

This is a start anyhow.

[nbrunskill]

Hi Andy,

Ok. So, FM Server for sure. As far as the web part, you mentioned I'd have to "build a full on web version of the database." By this do you mean creating pages with HTML and CDML to interact with the database? If this is the case I've done this. Basically, on my personal machine (using FM Client 5.5) I've created funtioning db files that work in both a FM Client and when accessed over the web. Basically, I just want to serve it up at this point to FM Clients (to run scripts, reports, etc.) and to Web clients (to submit data). Do I need FM Unlimited at this point for any reason?

Nate

[andygaunt]

Well,

with FM Client only hosting the files (because you will have to link to one machine to host the files for the web) you can only have 10 IP addresses in a 12 hour period.

FM Unlimited allows unlimited IP addresses. So, you would have,

FM Server to serve the files

1 machine running FM Unlimited (No user accessing this machine. Just used for web access and which is the machine who's IP address the remote users connect to)

The rest of your FM Clients in the office.

HTH

[nbrunskill]

Ok, thanks! This is what I had suspected I'd have to do.

thanks for the info!

Nate

[nbrunskill]

Sorry, I had one more thought. Is the limit for 10 unique IP's in 12 hours a limit only for those attempting to connect to my served database via the web, or for ALL those connecting (like both those connecting via the web and via FM Client). And, if I choose not to purchase FM Unlimited (I might have fewer than 10 connections a day), those few will be able to access a web-enabled database served via FM Server, correct?

[Kurt Knippel]

The limitiation of 10 unique IPs is for access via WebCompanion over the internet and does not count for LAN-based guests connecting.