Best way to see if server is connected from stand alone DB

[Charles Delfs]

I have a stand alone db that runs on a computer and periodically needs to sync up with FMS I can not guarantee that the network is available though. So I figure to test to see if its running and if so, do an import.

What is the most elegant way to test if FMS is available? (this is similar to the heartbeat thread but I need to test from a FMP DB

Charles

[Vaughan]

The simplest is to issue the Import step and trap for errors.

...

Set Error Capture [ on ]

Import Records [ restore ]

Set Variable [ $error ; Get( LastError ) ]

Set Error Capture [ off ]

If [ $error = 0 ]

// no error

Else

// error importing records

End If

[Charles Delfs]

Thanks Vaughan

I have an application where my remote DB (controls a 24hr access door) pulls profile information from FMS but if and when it looses contact(wireless) with FMS I want it to be in a crippled mode. So i mirror some profile information on a local DB. Your method should work for importing but my question is what can I do if I want to reference a Server table in my local DB and the its not there? it seems that filemaker errors out about the remote database being unavailable but does not trigger an error.

I hope this makes sense.

cD

[Vaughan]

what can I do if I want to reference a Server table in my local DB and the its not there?

I'm not sure.

My gut reaction is to work backwards: make the door database self-contained. Get the remote database to connect to the door database periodically to get data updates. That way the door databases will happily work with no network connection.