FMS 7 and Windows XP

[garrys]

Hi all,

Is it possible for FMS 7 to host FM7 databases in Windows XP Pro SP2? If yes, can we use the same machine (where FMS 7 installed) as a client as well?

Thanks in advance,

Garry

[QuinTech]

Hi, Garry.

Is it possible for FMS 7 to host FM7 databases in Windows XP Pro SP2?

Yes.

can we use the same machine (where FMS 7 installed) as a client as well?

No, not for the files hosted on that machine.

Jerry

[LaRetta]

Oh dear. I thought it would be fine to have a copy of FM7 on the same machine (we're putting FM7SA on). I knew I wouldn't want to stress the Host system by large searches, etc. but I was hoping to use it for simple entering of checks. I thought I read somewhere it was okay if used rarely and lightly.

Now it looks like we'll need another system. Thanks for the clarification, Jerry.

[QuinTech]

Errr.... OK, I was playing a little fast & loose. I made my comment, believing it to be true, thinking I could move on and modify my reply in a few minutes if I turned out to be wrong, never realizing that LaRetta was watching me like a hawk. (On a holiday, no less!)

I am not sure that viewing with FMP7 is impossible on the host computer, though I am sure that it is generally not a good idea (subject to the restrictions you mentioned, LaRetta). If you believe it is possible, then I will defer to you on this; I'll offer only the caveat that it should be avoided at all costs.

So, Garry, to use the same machine as a server and as a client would be a bad idea; FMP should only be used in this way in a very limited fashion. You will probably find that trying to use the FMS machine for anything will result in sluggish performance all around.

Sorry for spreading misinformation!

J

[LaRetta]

Oh Jerry! I don't KNOW!!! That's why I was questioning it. We're not even using Server Advanced yet - only network (5 systems) to dedicated FM host. But we have an accountant that comes in once a week to enter checks. We don't even have a station for her. So I thought I could sit her down at host to enter them (since we have an extra licensed copy of Dev7) on it also.

never realizing that LaRetta was watching me like a hawk.

I marked this thread watching for the answer. Moving us to Server Advanced (and upgrading all systems from 7.0v1) was my project for next weekend.

I also need to make changes to design sometimes (blush) and use the host system for that (or debugging). Please stop me if the risks of using this system for checks (or design) is too dangerous. It works for us now but Server is another world! Sometimes I have no choice ... After working all night on a design change (and uploading at 6 AM) for them to start using at 7 AM, I don't always have the luxary of beta testing my changes. Sometimes I MUST make changes while they are using it.

Is Server or Server Advanced different in this respect than straight hosting, as we are doing now? I DO warn everyone first and coordinate that they don't use parts I'm currently working on ...

Holiday? Is it a holiday?

LaRetta

[QuinTech]

It works for us now but Server is another world!

Do you mean that you have the files open in FMP, on the host, and not in FMS? If so, I see nothing especially wrong with oding this, in fact, I would consider it a traditional FMP peer-to-peer setup (with all the problems that come along with that).

What I had initially thought you meant, and what I think Garry means, is to have FMS on a server and running, and to then use FMP to "loopback" to the same computer, while still hosting the files in use under FMS. If possible, this is a very bad idea if the database is in frequent use on the server. I could see you getting away with it for a time, but I wouldn't do it for long.

As far as having a copy of FMP on the server machine to open files locally only (not as a guest of the server), I see no problem with that. I am under the impression Garry's question was, "Can I both host a file and remotely connect to it on the same machine (in order to save the cost of buying a new computer)?" If that is the question, my answer is "no", whether it is technologically possible or not. The resources FMS eats up may make you feel like you are working on a 10-year old Windows 95 box.

J

[LaRetta]

Jerry said ... and to then use FMP to "loopback" to the same computer, while still hosting the files in use under FMS.

That doesn't sound like what we're doing.

Our host system is only used for FM (has our solution files in a folder). We have a version of FM7 Dev on this host also. Everyone has an Opener file which points to the host IP. Even the host system has an Opener file and it is accessed through this Opener just like everyone else. We use it sparingly right now.

We planned to put FMSA on this system but I didn't want to lose the ability of entering checks on it. It sounds like I'm safe. Server Advanced will help us with our network, right? So we're properly accessing the solution? We bought it so we can web publish soon but I'm hoping it will handle our network problem (that you mention) also.

Sorry to jump in on this thread ... it's just what I'm working on now and it concerned me.

[garrys]

Hey guys!

I just tried it anyway and it works fine on a small database.

Thanks for the clues.

[QuinTech]

Thanks for the confirmation that I was wrong in my first post, Garry. (We need a foot-in-mouth graemlin.)

But beware using a machine running FMS as a workstation for ANY purposes. As the databases grow in complexity and amount of data stored, more and more resources will be used to serve that data, decreasing the performance for other applications. As long as you're OK with that, I don't expect it will cause any damage.