Instant web publishing outside my local network

[kcep]

Hi everyone,

I'm real green with instant web publishing.

I'm using FileMaker Pro 8

I can get it to work great on another Mac Computer (Safari - web brower) within my own home. However, how can I get my mother-in-law who lives hundreds of miles away to help me with data entry?

I have a Static IP Address from BellSouth (my internet provider) - Do I need this Static IP Address?

When I switch my FM database Instant Web Publishing to "On", the URL is just very short (example: http://11.1.1.1/). The short URL works great within my own home, but not outside my local network.

I'm not sure if this means anything, but - when I type my Static IP Address into my web browser the page says something like this: Safari can't open the page "http://11.111.111.111/" because it could not connect to the server "11.111.111.111". Do I need FileMaker Server or Mac OSX Server in order for Instant Web Publishing to work outside my local network?

[Totes]

Ok, here goes my first post on the Help side…hope I get it right.

First you need to know your static IP…you can go to whatismyip.com to get it if you do not know.

You will need to open up the port for access on your router (port 591) has been reserved for FM. 591 will also need to be set as the access port on your FM db.

Once the outside user knows your static IP they will need to connect using that IP plus adding 591 to the end…example.

Your IP is lets say 68.215.182.232 your outside person would type in

http://68.215.182.232:591 to connect to your db.

Well that is it I hope I got it correct.

Also...if you have a Firewall, remember that could be blocking access also.

James

Edited February 3, 2007 by Guest

[Genx]

Also...if you have a Firewall, remember that could be blocking access also.

... Just to clarify -- You have to forward the port through both your router (I'm assuming you have one) and your software firewalls -- Which aren't really necessary if you have a router but oh well.

[kcep]

Wow, Thanks for the advice.

I have an Apple AirPort Extreme. My operating system is Mac OSX 10.4.6. The Mac that is hosting my FM Database is hooked up to the AirPort Extreme via an ethernet cable. The other two Mac's in my house are connected wirelessly to the AirPort Extreme. I'm assuming that the AirPort Extreme is my router. I'm not sure where to go to configure everything as I'm being advised to do. System Preferences : or AirPort Admin Utility : or Both : or Neither

Yes, I have documentation from BellSouth (my internet provider) telling me my Static IP Address. I went to whatismyip.com to confirm this IP Address, and yes, they matched.

[Genx]

AirPort Admin Utility -- Sounds right, there should be a section somewhere in there to do with Port forwarding or Port Redirection -- check the manual.

[kcep]

I'm feeling pretty dumb.

I can't seem to find what you're talking about to get this configured.

[mr_vodka]

Maybe this could help?

AirPort Admin Utility

[Genx]

You really shouldn't as a lot of people on these forums would say "We're all here to learn". Never apologize for a question as long as you learn something from the answer.

[Steven H. Blackwell]

You will need to open up the port for access on your router (port 591) has been reserved for FM. 591 will also need to be set as the access port on your FM db.

Unless you've set that specifically, it will be Port 80 (the default) instead.

Steven

[kcep]

The good news:

I was able to get Instant Web Publishing to work long distance (outside of my local network).

The bad news:

I could only do it by eliminating my AirPort Extreme. By coming directly from my dsl modem into my Mac via an ethernet cable it works. When I do: dsl modem to AirPort Extreme (via ethernet) to the computer (via ethernet - because the computer that hosts my FM Database is not wireless) then I lose my static IP address and the AirPort Extreme sends another IP address that will not work outside of my local network. Anyway, I think that is what is happening.

[kcep]

I'VE GOT IT !

IT REALLY WORKS !

Thank you everyone for all the help.

As it turns out, the web address that my FM Database says that I'm supposed to use for Instant web publishing is:

http://10.0.1.2:591/ (This only works locally.)

However, if I have my mother-in-law (who lives hundreds of miles away) replace the "10.0.1.2" part of the url with my static IP address it works.

My Airport Extreme is apparently sending the 10.0.1.2 to FM, but in reality my mother-in-law's computer needs to be looking for my static IP address.

Conclusion: If your using a router like an AirPort Extreme, then FM will tell you an incorrect url for accessing Instant Web Publishing via out of your local network. This actually makes sense, but it's frustrating for people, like me, who have little knowledge in this area.

I called AppleCare to help walk me through configuring my AirPort Extreme (AirPort Admin Utility) and my Mac Computer (System Preferences-Network-TCP/IP). I also called BellSouth (my internet provider) to help me in resetting my Westell DSL modem.

[Genx]

Your airport extreme is finding the IP to which the port 591 has been forwarded and is redirecting all traffic there... If that happens to be 10.0.1.2 then it's redirecting to 10.0.1.2

[Steven H. Blackwell]

Yes, you are likely correct. There is no way for any port forwarding to occur, at least that I know. Maybe pass the external WAN connectivity thru a hub and then run the airport base station off that hub. That might allow for both.

Steven