I am trying to connect my FileMaker Server to our OSX Open Directory for authentication. I have been able to connect a number of other application to the OD successfully, however I can't seem to make it work in FMP8 Server.

I have put in the 'Distinguished name' as it is defined by my LDAPBrowser but again it doesn't work. I am curious as to what I may be missing on the server side or with the database itself.

Any help would be appreciated.

There are no settings in FMS that control this. It's all in your OS (Directory Access app). If you can log into the FMS machine OS with an OD account then FMS will be able to talk to the OD.

Per FileMaker Tech Support:

1. you only need to select "external authentication". Directory and "Distinguished Name" can be left blank

2. However, if the server or client machine is windows, OD authentication may not work.

We have FMS8v2 on Win XP Pro that kind of works, but FMS8v2 on Win 2000 Server doesn't work at all.

What is your setup?

Per FileMaker Tech Support:

1. you only need to select "external authentication". Directory and "Distinguished Name" can be left blank

If you mean the settings on the "directory service" tab in FileMaker Server, then yes: leave them blank. They have nothing to do with External Authentication at all.

The important settings are not in FMS, they are in the Directory Access application that comes with OSX. There you need to bind your machine to the Active Directory. It's strictly an OS configuration that FMS picks up on.

Everyone pay attention to what Wims says. The LDAP stuff is for reistering your computer on the LDAP "yellow pages" and does not have anything to do with External Server Authentication.

See the External Server Tech Brief at http://www.filemaker.com/support/upgrade/techbriefs.html.

Steven