I have a question regarding password protection. I have searched the forums and not found an explanation to what I am trying to do. I apologize if this has been asked before.

I have a Filemaker setup where myself and one other person have full access to the Filemaker database. We have assigned 10 or 12 passwords with restricted privileges for other people to use the system to browse and edit only certain documents. Due to the nature of our facility we would like to leave Filemaker open and running on one computer 24 hours a day (to remain host) but are uncertain of how to accomplish this.

One idea is to set up FM so that when it becomes idle it remains open (acting as host) but requires the admin password to enter back into the program. Is this something that is possible or am I going about this the wrong way? Would there be a different, better or easier solution to this problem?

Thank you in advance for any help you could provide!

Get a copy of FM Server. It runs as a service so the machine can run with nobody logged in. It's also faster and more robust than using a normal copy of FMP to host databases. The "disconnect idle guest" feature only works with FM Server anyway so much of your question is moot.

FM Server does not actually open the databases, it just makes them available for other FMP guests to use, hence FMS doesn't need passwords to host the files.

Never let the host computer sleep or shutdown after idle time. It should be up and running 24/7.

Thank you so much for your helpful response. I will suggest this to my IT department and see how much luck we will have getting FM Server! ;-)

Thanks again!