FileMaker or FileMaker Unlimited

[Gbowe]

We are currently using FM 4.1 (on a Mac 9.2), mostly serving pages over the web. We would like to upgrade to version 6 running on 10.2. We have around 50 login per 24 hours.

At present we share some of the databases (via filesharing with 3 or 4 windows clients and serve from the same machine over the web).

Is it possible to install FileMaker Unlimited on various clients (mac and windows - max 5), and still serve them over the web, or would we be better off with FM server.

[MeltDown]

We upgraded from FMP 4.1 to 5.0, and found we had to have unlimited for web serving. Also, FMP 5.0 didn't like sharing a database via filesharing while also serving databases to the web. We have upgraded some of the 5.0 and 4.1 databases to 6.0 running on OS 10.2, and it runs very smoothly - but we don't have any of these databases open via filesharing.

We are now in the process of upgrading to FMP 6.0, and will be going to FMP Server so that we can have users via hosted databases.

Now, if you don't have money for FMP Server, you can get away with just FMP 6.0 Unlimited. Opening databases on your internet server via file sharing is NOT recommended, but can be done. If you go this route, you can somewhat mitigate the filesharing problems by making sure your users are only opening the databases as a guest through the "host", and are not just getting into the server through appleshare or something and double-clicking them open. And you will need to make sure that your web server is the first one to open a database, and that your users are always guests. Be prepared for occassional slowdowns and locking up of the databases. Also, keep in mind that the filesharing on OSX is very very different than it is on OS 9.X.

Before deciding your course of action, I highly recommend searching the forums for previous posts on "best practices" for setting up web servers....

[Gbowe]

Thanks for the information. Is it possible to install FileMaker Unlimited on different computers, ie. one I could use for developing the databases, and one I could use for hosting the files over the internet, or can it only be installed on one computer. If it can be installed on different computers, I presume it can be installed on Macs and PCs.

Thanks

ger

[LiveOak]

The FM Unlimited license is for a single machine only. You don't need FM Unlimited for development. FM will perform all the functions of Unlimited, except it is limited to access by 10 unique IP's in a 12 hour period (I think that's the time & number!).

-bd

[Anatoli]

Correct

[Gbowe]

I develope and then host the databases. For serving them over the internet, I will need FM unlimited (approx 50 hits per day). However to develope the databases, if I want to use another computer, does that mean that I also need to buy another license. Alos we do some filesharing, which would not seem possible using FM Unlimited.

What I need is to serve the databases over the net, and also share them with other users (I need to install FM on other machines?).

Thanks

ger

[Anatoli]

Every machine has to get FM client.

[Gbowe]

For file sharing FM client has to be installed. Is this possible with FM Unlimited or not, or would I need FM server, or FM (5 license) as well as FM Unlimited.

thanks

Ger

[Anatoli]

Unlimited is for web serving.

Client is for direct access to FM data.

Client can serve FM databases as cheap FM server for small number of users.

Better performance and more functionality is achieved with FM server

HTH

[Gbowe]

Thanks again.

I have read the FM web site, and they say the same thing. At present (using 4.1), I am able to serve to an unlimited number of people, and also file share (10 licences). I would like to keep the same funcionality and upgrade to FM 6. This would seem to imploy that I need to buy FM unlimited plus 10 licences), ie that where before with one program (FM) I could do everything, now I need to buy two seperate programs (FM and FM Unlimited). Am I correct or is it possible to buy just one program (be it FM, FM server or FM unlimited)

ger

[Kurt Knippel]

You'll need to buy both Filemaker Pro 6 AND Filemaker Unlimited 6. I would also suggest getting Filemaker Server, as you are pushing the edge of Filemaker's built in peer-peer sharing abilities.