Testing an upgraded DB alongside the current one

[Mandu]

Hi -

I've modified the layouts and scripts of a customer's DB, tested it under my own FMP 6.04, and now wish to test it on the customer's FM Server 5.5, without interfering with the customer's current DB operation.

I have no experience with either FM Server or OS X Server, which is running FM Server (but I do know OS X).

My main concern is to not interfere with their production operation. Can some of you perhaps warn me about things to do and to avoid doing?

Thanks for any help...

Chap

[Vaughan]

You need to change all the names of the databases so that they are all unique. The Developer Tool in FMP Dev is great for this, but it will not change file names that have been hard-coded into calculations and script steps.

[Mandu]

Thanks, that sounds easy enough.

Sorry to double-dip, but the DB admin says that it is not possible to add files for FMS 5.5 to serve without stopping/restarting FMS. Is this really true?

[Vaughan]

"Thanks, that sounds easy enough."

Don't bet on it! It depends on whether file names are embedded into calculations or not.

"DB admin says that it is not possible to add files for FMS 5.5 to serve without stopping/restarting FMS"

Time to get a new DB admin... files CAN be added. The new files are opened using the Remote Administration plugin using a copy of FMP on another computer. Just make sure that the server is configured to be able to host all the files (in the server preferences). Changing this setting may require a service restart.