Backporting?

[Matt Singerman]

Hi all,

So we recently discovered that FM 7 (or, more to the point, FM Server 7) will not meet our needs, and are looking to back-port our databases to FM 5.5. Now, the databases that we have created do not use any new functionality - anything that we used was available in FM 5.5. Is it possible in any way to easily backport this?

[RalphL]

What makes you think that FMP 5.5 will work better than FMP 7?

I would like like to know why 7 will not meet your needs.

You will have to rebuid the database in 5.5. Export the data to text file and import it into 5.5.

[Matt Singerman]

It's not FM 7, it's the limitations in FM Server 7; specifically, the inability to use the Web Companion feature for sending data to a separate web server for use with Lasso. We are not going to shell out an additional $1500 for FM SA for something that was previously a part of FM Server, and I have not been able to find a way to do the same thing with just FM Server.

[RalphL]

But you also needed FMPU in 5.5. The cost of going backwards may exceed the cost of FMSA.

[Matt Singerman]

FileMaker Server 5.5 is all you need to use Web Companion and connect your databases to your web server via Lasso. We currently use this exact solution as follows:

FM 5.5 Server <-> FM Pro 5.5 with Web Companion <-> web server using WebSTAR and Lasso.

Going back to FM 5.5 will take some time, but will almost certainly prove to be the easiest, most cost-effective method. If you know of a way to directly connect FM Server 7 to Lasso without shelling out the extra cash, please let me know :

[RalphL]

I beleive that you should be using FMP Unlimited in this setup.

[Matt Singerman]

It works fine with FileMaker Pro 5.5, which includes the Web Companion plugin. So far as I am aware, there is no FMPU 7 which includes a web companion plugin. Or am I mistaken?

[Vaughan]

Strictly speaking you are breaking the FM Pro 5-6 license agreement if more than 10 IP numbers are accessing the Web Companion.

FM Server 7 Advanced includes Web Companion in it, and it can run on the same box as FMS. This allows you to get rid of one machine (the one that was running FMPU) and that alone would save heaps of money and support costs and pay for the FM7SA price..

[Matt Singerman]

Only two IP addresses access the machine running Web Companion - the server running Lasso, and the server running FM Server 5.5. And only the server running Lasso is covered by the license agreement. It's a very nice arrangement.

Anyway, While FMSA 7 would allow us to run one less machine, I seriously doubt it would save us a whole bunch of money in the future. Our outside support costs are already at zero - all support is done in-house, and wages for people doing that support are going to be paid regardless. Electricity is included in our rent, so that isn't even a concern. Really, there is no financial incentive to shell out the additional money instead of backporting. Hell, I'm going to try and get a refund for FMS 7.

[Vaughan]

If Lasso is serving more than 10 IPs then you *are* breaking the license agreement.

I was under the impression that all middleware had to be internally programmed to comply with the IP limitation.