Im pretty sure the answer is no but wanted to make sure. Is it possible to create a relationship between two databases that are on the same FileMaker Server?

Yes, it's possible. You need to create an External Data Source. Assuming you are using FileMaker Pro 10.

1. Open the database you want to add the relationship to.

2. Choose File>Manage>External Data Sources...

3. Click New

4. Enter a name for your data source.

5. Click Add File and then Remote

6. Navigate to the FileMaker Server and then choose the file you want to relate to.

At this point you should be able to go Define Database and add a Table Occurrence(TO) to the Relationship Graph. Then you can add relationships as needed just like that TO was part of the local file.

It depends on what the definition of a 'database' is.

If you mean between two tables in the same Filemaker file, the answer is yes.

If you mean between two tables in different Filemaker files, the answer is yes.

If you mean between a Filemaker table and a table in another brand database like MySQL or Oracle, the answer is maybe.

I mean between two separate database files that are running on the same filemaker server.

It seems spragueg's instructions are just the ticket to do what i need to do. Thank you all for your responses.

Click New

4. Enter a name for your data source.

5. Click Add File and then Remote

6. Navigate to the FileMaker Server and then choose the file you want to relate to.

[color:red]This is not optimal at all.

Close files and stop FMS service. Then, if the files are in the same directory, open them with a copy of FIleMaker Pro and use the file:filename file reference syntax. If they are in separate subdirectories,then use either filemac: or filewin: as appropriate.

When the files are rehosted by FMS these references will remain intact and not go searching out on the network for some file tagged through Open Remote.

Steven

All of the database files that i need to link are in the same directory.

What Steven is trying to point out is that the external data source management should take place whilst hosting the files yourself, on your machine - then upload them to the server.

What Steven is trying to point out is that the external data source management should take place whilst hosting the files yourself, on your machine - then upload them to the server.

That's news to me... I've never heard of this as best practice before. I'm interested in hearing the justification.

I'm usually careful about the file references, but the files are always hosted.

Hi Vaughan

I'm only trying to clarify what to do for an "Entry Level" poster. Incidentally Steven wrote

Close files and stop FMS service. Then, if the files are in the same directory, open them with a copy of FIleMaker Pro and use the file:filename file reference syntax. If they are in separate subdirectories,then use either filemac: or filewin: as appropriate.

When the files are rehosted by FMS these references will remain intact and not go searching out on the network for some file tagged through Open Remote.

Steven

Which I think means the same as I did, however it requires FM to be installed on the server machine. I'm not sure an entry level user would have done this but certainly it is installed on their own machine.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply criticism of your post. FWIW I thought your explanation was good.

I was remarking that I have never heard of the recommendation or need to set up file references with the databases opened locally ie not hosted by FMS. I've never pulled files off the server to change file references, and never had any problems before. I hope they don't become Schroedin Bugs and suddenly start breaking now.

http://www.c2.com/cgi/wiki?SchroedinBug

I'd appreciate if Steven could expand on his original comment.

I'd appreciate if Steven could expand on his original comment.

I'd like him to as well, because I have several boxes tied all around the country with IP based file references and I'd like a better explanation as to the impact of server overhead with this type of config.

T

What Steven is trying to point out is that the external data source management should take place whilst hosting the files yourself, on your machine - then upload them to the server.

No, not exactly. It's a lot easier jsut to install a copy of FMP on the server to do this and similar tasks.

[color:red]But do not ever run FMP while FMS is also running and hosting the files.

Steven