I'm new to FM, but I've managed to create a full database that I now would like to publish online so that my design clients can view and add info to the database. I followed all the directions in the full 34-page tutorial for setting up Instant Web Publishing, but when someone tries to access it from the web, there is nothing. I've specified an IP address and Port #, and privledge sets. I click ok.

Is there another step before this can be viewed online?

Was this supposed to create an HTML file in my FM/Web folder? because it didn't.

What is the proper way to access the database from the web?

To access the page from a web browser (from the 44 page IWP pdf)

If the database is hosted with FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced:

http://

If the database is hosted with FileMaker Server Advanced:

http:///fmi/iwp/

To go directly to a particular database:

http:///fmi/iwp/cgi?-db=&-loadframes

I just did it at my office, using Safari on the same Mac as the hosted database, http://192.168.0.250, and it worked fine. I didn't even have to include the port number.

My problem is I can't see any photos in the database!

Well, what happens when you try my IP?

http://192.168.1.116:591/

Was the IWP supposed to create an HTML file for me? or do I only need an iwp_home.html if I want to create my own beginning page for the database?

I am not the best authority on this, but I saw no responses to your post, and thought I may be able to help a bit.

First, you should use your IP address, as you show above, to test from your own machine to see that it is at least publishing locally. (I see that you changed the port # to 591). That will need to work before you can see it on the web.

I don't believe you need to worry about the HTML files.

Others can contribute info about that, but I really don't think that is your problem.

Once it works on your local IntrAnet, you will need to open the port on your router and use port forwarding to point any requests for that port to the internal IP address of your computer.

Your customers will need to go to your EXTERNAL IP address, the address assigned by your ISP to your router (careful, that may be dynamic, and change frequently).

So, your customer goes to the IP address of your router, the router routes it to your computer, which serves up the database!

Hope this helps, and I hope others contribute!

http://192.168.1.116:591/

... Thats your internal IP, it will only work internally...

If you want it to be accessible outside your office you have to use your external IP address and forward port 591 to the IP address above. Then all traffic requested via the external IP on that port will be routed to your machine where FM happens to be sitting, listening on that port.

Go To www.whatismyip.com

Try plug the resulting ip into your web browser with the port in the syntax you use above.

Oh and you'll also have to make sure that your IP address is Static... or if it's not static that you perhaps employ the services of a dynamic DNS (Search it on google, or rather search: dnsalias free)

Ah HA! That was simple enough. But, when I go to my IWP settings, the IP address is already entered and not editable. So instead I went to advanced settings and entered my external IP address in the "accessible only from these IP addresses." and kept the Port # 80.

Thanks for all the advice.

Oh right port 80 - not 591? Meh i don't deal with it much.

Glad to know you got it working ;)