Is it okay to run Filemaker Pro on a the computer running Filemaker Server 7 to connect to the local server ? I'd like to do this to run some scripts that occur periodically using a plugin and would prefer to not have to devote another computer to this task.

I was told by a colleague that this is not advisable, but was not given a reason. Could someone please clarify, and tell me what the problem is ??

thanks.

First check with the plug-in vendor to see if the plug-in will work with FileMaker Server 7; if so, run the scripts there.

I already did that... no they don't.. they need to be run on client.

Can anyone answer my question ? and talk about why it's bad to run them on the same computer ?

There could be conflicts: suppose FM Server is acting on the same file as FM Pro--what then? If your application is such that you can forestall such conflicts, then go ahead...and let us know the results.

I haven't tried it in FM7, but in earlier versions, opening a file with Client on the same machine that is running the file with Server would cause file corruption.

Aside from that, there are performance degradations when trying to use your server for purposes other than serving databases; the connected clients will experience slowness.

I definitely recommend against trying to run Client on the same box as Server at the same time. Try running your scripts from a Backup server, or low-volume web server or something. Maybe buy a cheap 2-year old computer for this task.

I've done it with server seven on my own server and it's not a problem from what I can see.

>There could be conflicts: suppose FM Server is acting on the same file as FM Pro--what then? If your >application is such that you can forestall such conflicts, then go ahead...and let us know the results.

Huh ?? wouldn't the local client just be considered another client attached to the server ?

(I mean, you don't worry about two remote users connecting to the database while the Server is acting on the same file, so why should you worry about it just because the client and server happen to be on the same machine ?)

hmm... theoretically that is true. using FMP as client to open local served database should have no prob, but Ender already said that in previous versions of FM it will cause file corruption.

best is if u can call up a FM tech support...

As long as you open the file with the 'hosts' button, file corruption would not be an issue as far as I know, but expect the server to take performance hits whenever the pro is doing something. Anything. You don't want server to have to compete for resources with anything at all.

I read somewhere in the 7.0 literature that it was not recommended. I *sparingly* do it, but I could just be stuck on that since it was an issue in previous versions.

You definitely should NOT do this. It causes instability -- your users will be booted off the server with "Connection Lost From the Host". I have experienced this first hand. Even if you just have FMP open without any files opened, having that run simultaneously with fmserverd causes instability.

Secondly, you should be as paranoid as possible to prevent corruption of your files -- trust me on that point. If you open files with FMP app on the same machine that they are being hosted on, you will have corruption.

hmmm i think the reason why the users got connection lost might be the sharing conflict with FMP? maybe turning off all sharing options will allow FMP to run...

i dont mean to open the same file it's being hosted tho...