Hello all,

I am not sure if this is the right forum, but I am giving it a shot. I have a database of IP addresses, and these addresses can have a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) attached. However, this FQDN is subject to changes over time, whereas the IP is not. So, it would be nice if I could get the field to do a: "host -t ptr ", or the eqivalent DOS command; nslookup, to automatically check the PTR. Is this possible some way?

Best regards,

Jes Kasper Klittum

I see two issues to address:

1) Getting the result back to FileMaker after performing the "host -t ptr " or nslookup

2) Having the database update it's records automatically

Regarding issue 1:

You can use the Send Event script step to run a DOS command. The problem is still in getting the data back into FileMaker. I'm not familiar with PTR record's; are you checking your own servers, or the internet? Does the command have to be run from DOS? Is there any other way to run the command (like a browser)?

Regarding issue 2:

You can setup a scheduled task in windows to open a FileMaker database at whatever interval you want this update to run. The FileMaker file it opens has a script set to run when the file opens, which performs the update in your main database. You should be able to find more detailed instructions on this type of setup online somewhere - that's how I learned it years ago.

Alternatively, I'm pretty sure there are plug-in's that can perform a script at a set schedule.

Well for windows, and the concept would be the same for Mac I guess... though you guys get apple script:

1) Run the command and output it's result to a text file

2) Immediately after running the command begin a looping script to attempt to import the result text file into a field

3) Parse the result to get the info you're after.

For clarification of the looping import: http://www.filemakerdesign.com/blog/?bid=10

For clarification on running DOS command's using send event and an example for something similar:

http://fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/197533/

Thank you both for your input. I will try to work this out on the server. :