moving database to server

[joshuapiper]

Good morning all,

I have been asked to move a database from an employee's computer to the server. Currently all of our returns are stored on this employee's computer instead of on the server, meaning that this employee must have his computer on for the rest of the company to access returns. What is the best way to transfer the database intact to our filemaker server?

Thanks!

-joshua

[Fitch]

Make sure the file is closed, then copy it to the FileMaker Server folder.

I would also suggest you archive the file on the employee's computer -- e.g. zip it and trash the original -- so that it is no longer accessible.

[joshuapiper]

Am I doing something wrong? I copied the file over, however, I now cannot find it in the list of filemaker files from the remote computer. The file is on the server.

[Fitch]

You have to tell FMS to open the file.

[joshuapiper]

How do I do that?

(sorry if these are easy questions)

[Fitch]

I suggest you have a look at the FileMaker Server 5.5 Administrator's Guide, in particular chapter 7.

[joshuapiper]

So it looks as though I will have to restart filemaker and the machine. It has been running since August of 2007.

-joshua

[Fitch]

No, you can open files without restarting, using the admin interface.

[joshuapiper]

The manual talks about "selecting services in the console tree" however I have no options there, only scheduling and that is empty. When I click on the links in the right-hand pane under the server console, none of them do anything. That's why I'm thinking I'll have to do a restart.

Thanks for your replies.

-joshua

[Vaughan]

"That's why I'm thinking I'll have to do a restart."

Do what Fitch suggests: learn how to use the remote administration tool. It runs from within FileMaker Pro but you need to install a plugin, it on the FM Server disk.

If you restart the server improperly without first closing the files and stopping the service, you could damage the databases.

[joshuapiper]

I guess I don't understand why I am not able to see any services in the left hand pane and why none of the helpers do anything when I click on them.

[joshuapiper]

I have Filemaker Server 5 and not 5.5. I'm reading through this pdf and don't have the same options as are listed in this administration guide. Does anyone have a link to a server5 pdf?

Thanks for all of your help so far.

-joshua

[Fitch]

The documentation should be on your CD and in the box that it came in.

[joshuapiper]

Thanks for all of your advice and help.

I started here exactly three months ago, and have been helping with computer issues. I had to track down the install discs, which took a while. Once I installed the remote administration to my machine, getting the files opened was a breeze.

-joshua