Hello, I have a question that seems simple, but I can't find an answer in FileMaker's documentation or through a web search. I would like to add a database file to my FileMaker Server 5.5 directory. When you add a file, do you have to stop FileMaker Server from running using FMServer Config, or can you just ask all of your users to log out and then add the file to the appropriate folder? Or, does adding a file require none of the above?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

You don't HAVE to stop the services to just add a file to the directory. FM Server will not pick up on that file until you do, though. This is especially true if this file interacts in any way with the other files already in place.

You'll need to stop the FM service, add file, start FM service. I'm not sure with Macs, but Windows-based computers have a way through the O.S. to stop services, which I personally find easier. If not, then through the FMServer Config will do the same thing. When you go to stop the services, it should send a message to any current users a message to get out in X minutes or they'll be forced out. If no users are on, then it shuts down right away.

Hopefully this helps. I don't know if FMServer acts differently on Macs, and all of my knowledge is based on Windows.

If you are adding a new file to be hosted, there's no need to stop the current services. Just move the file into the hosted databases folder and use the Server Admin interface to start hosting the new file.

If the new file replaces an existing file, then you need to stop hosting all files that interface with it first.

Ender and Brent, thank your for your advice.

In regard to Ender's response, I think I see what you're saying. I opened Remote Administration and noticed an Open File button. If I copy the new database file into the server folder, would I just have to open Remote Administration, click the Open File button, and select the new file?

As you may guess, I don't have too much experience as a FileMaker Server admin.

You got it!

u wud need to ensure:

a) the file u are going to host is set to "multi-user" in sharing

that u have not reached the default 50 files limit that FMServer has