Small size Networking, Sharing FM 8

[SoundPad]

Hi,

Just set up a database for use with stock. We have two stores and wish to have a common database for the two.

How would one go about sharing the one database over potentially 5 different computers?

We're quite happy to use a browser to view the pages as this softens the need for fast computers.

Any ideas would be greatly appriciated (looking for a somewhat inexpensive solution)

Also all computers are connected to a high speed internet conection and could host the file, just need to know how the computers from other locations would enter it.

Cheers

elliot

[Fitch]

If you're going to view the database via browser, see the FileMaker online help for "Publishing databases on the web." Once you've set it up, the users would simply enter the IP (and possibly the port) of the computer hosting the solution.

Opening a remote file via FileMaker Pro (rather than a browser), you enter the location in the form: fmnet:/IP/file name.

I'm not sure what you consider "inexpensive." FileMaker is inexpensive compared to other products in its class, but not compared to "free." That said, IMO it's very much worth it to invest in FileMaker Server, for the backup feature alone, plus greater reliability etc.

Once you go the server route, you'd have to pay the extra $1500 or so for Server Advanced in order to do web publishing. Instead, for your small group, you might want put FileMaker Pro on the client machines.

FileMaker does have some nicely priced bundles of server/clients.

[SoundPad]

Ok, Well thanks for the reply and i'll let you know if it works.

Just wondering though I assume you use the computers internet ip and not the network ip. Is this a known difficultly that if your ip was to change you'd need to inform the user of this or could you simply create a web page that directs the user directly to the computer regardless of a changing ip.

Any ideas?

elliot

[Fitch]

Correct, if you're outside the LAN you'd need to use a public IP. Google dynamic DNS and you'll find what you need.