Help with ODBC connections (FMP10A)

[madeener]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to FMP10A (Windows) and a task delegated to me has left me with a throbbing head. It's regarding the setting up of a ODBC connection to my fp7 files.

I've followed the instructions laid out in the documentation and help files and also reinstalled both the DataDirect driver and FM itself several times. Here is a run down of what I've done:

1. Create simple database file with single table with some nonsense text records.

2. Enable ODBC for privileged users. Created simple admin account to facilitate.

3. Go to ODBC Administrator > Set up System DSN as instructed with name, Host: localhost, Port: 2399 and data source as the extensionless name of the file I have in FMP10A (I do not close file nor program)

4. Test Connect.

I always get an error of code -511 and with the description 'Cannot open file(802)'. Is there a way to get through this? I'll be glad to provide any other details if requested. Thanks for your help.

Note: I am running on an un-updated instance of Windows Server 2003 OS. Could this cause any problems?

madeener

[Josh Ormond]

What are you using the ODBC connection for?

If you are connecting FM to, let's say MySQL or SQL Server, you need to put the name of that database, not the FM file.

[madeener]

The data within the FM file will be used as a source for .aspx pages.

[Josh Ormond]

Directly, or are you migrating the data to SQL Server?

I don't believe, and I could be wrong, that you can directly use FileMaker as a datasource directly. Unless you have Server and use Custom Web Publishing, even then, it is PHP compatible not ASP.

You could either use a SQL Server back-end and a FM front-end, or import the data into the SQL Server.

You would then need an ODBC connector to connect FM10 and SQL Server.

[madeener]

Given that is true, it still doesn't explain why my setup illustrated in my first post doesn't work :.

[Josh Ormond]

Am I right in reading that you are trying access the FileMaker data from another application...to drive the data to your website?

If yes, I think you need FileMaker Server Advanced.

If no, we need to know a little more about your setup.

• What application are you using to try to access the data in FM?
• What ODBC connector are you using?
• What kind of database is storing your data for the website?

[madeener]

Your assumption is correct. I find it odd that the directions for setting up FMP10A as a data source is provided in the program specific documentation when it isn't possible to use it as one. Thanks anyway.

[Josh Ormond]

Hmmmm. Looking at the ODBC/JDBC Guide, it seems like you should be able to connect to it. I will try to play around with it this afternoon. In the meantime...

Couple of obvious questions:

Did you enable ODBC sharing in the host file? And Set it to allow "all users" or specific users?

Is the host file on the computer you are using to set up the Connection?

Did you select the correct driver?

Edited March 22, 2009 by Guest

[madeener]

1. Yes.

2. Yes.

3. ODBC driver wise, I'm using DataDirect 5.5 32-bit Client for ODBC which was provided to me with FM. Could an update be required?

EDIT: One more thing to note (which may potentially reveal me to be a big idiot), the computer I'm using FMP10A on doesn't have a connection to the internet. Could this be a problem?

EDIT*: Another update, I tested the above setup routine on my personal XP computer and it works perfectly. I'm really lost right now :

Edited March 23, 2009 by Guest

[Josh Ormond]

Whooaaaa. Back the truck up.

FMP10A is on Computer A...where is the app you are trying to connect with? Same computer [Computer A], different computer [Computer B] on the same network [network A], different computer [computer B] on different network [network B]?

Computer A, and Computer A, should work

Computer A, and Computer B, on network A should work

Computer A, on network A, and Computer B on network B could work with proper setup.

Computer A, on no network and Computer B on network A, B...Z won't work.

Edited March 24, 2009 by Guest

[madeener]

Both on Computer A, where it doesn't work :