Hosted database files not available

[HHMacGuffin]

Hi,

My FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Go cannot find my databases hosted with FileMaker Server. The problem could be very simple, but I am not proficient in servers and have no idea of what could have gone wrong.

I have installed FileMaker Server (FMS) to a server computer that also has FileMaker Pro installed. The database was uploaded with FMS, and the status was shown as Normal, with Pro, XSLT, XML and PHP checked. On the FMS Overview screen, the Database Server was only showing ODBC/JDBC as "off". The FileMaker Pro on the server computer was closed.

On another computer, or on my iPads, they simply could not detect the databases at all. I tried running the FMS Technology Test on these computers but cannot connect to them either.

As a non-specialist in servers I would really appreciate any help and suggestions on how to fix this.

Many thanks,

MacGuffin

[Steven H. Blackwell]

This sounds as if some of the ports may be blocked on the server. Ports 5003, 16000, and possibly 5013 especially need to be opened.

See http://thefmkb.com/6427 for more information.

Steven

[HHMacGuffin]

Thanks Steven,

That is making some progress! My computers and iPads can now connect to my databases when they are within the same office network as the server computer. However I can't seem to connect to the databases when I'm outside this network.

For example, my iPads cannot detect the databases when it is outside the Wifi range of my office. I haven't tried connecting to the database with my computer at home yet. Is there something else that needs configuring as well?

Again, many many thanks for your time and help!

Cheers,

MacGuffin

[Steven H. Blackwell]

Ports must be opened on the firewall and packets with 5003 header sent to the FileMaker Server machines.

BTW do not run FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Server on the same machine at the same time.

Steven

[HHMacGuffin]

Many thanks again Steven, I really appreciate your help and advice.

I have already done those but I still could not get access. I have also consulted our IT department and they say (from what I understand), that the reason I could access the database (after the ports are opened) is because the server machine is part of my company's network. Normally, every morning we need to log on to our office network (which also has a passworded-wifi) to get our computers started, and because I've only ever opened FileMaker Pro from a computer that I have logged on (or FileMaker Go that connects via the wifi network of my office), I can always access it when I was testing it inside my office.

Outside the office and its network, I need to somehow authenticate myself before I can enter our office network. But I do not know how this can be achieved. Normally if I want to remotely access resources within the office network, I go to a page that allows me to log in, and then I can browse the contents there.

I haven't tested opening the database with an external computer logged on to the network yet so I'll give it a go tonight. On the other hand, I simply have no idea how an iPad can achieve the same thing.

I may have missed things from that discussion as it was very heavy in jargons, so please do correct me if I'm wrong.

Many, many thanks,

MacGuffin

[Steven H. Blackwell]

Well perhaps you could VPN to the network. Once connected (requires authentication) you're just a node on the network.

Otherwise have them open Port 5003 on the firewall and redirect packets to the FileMaker Server machine. Then you can connect from outside using the public IP outside the firewall.

Steven

[HHMacGuffin]

Thanks Steven,

I am not allowed to use the VPN method (even though the VPN method did work), as our IT only offers VPN access to a very limited number of people for security reasons. The database is to be made available to the entire organisation, all offices, across the world. Also I was told by our IT that, on iPads, the VPN system is not compatible with accessing our network. Apparently iPads cannot handle an in-between process that has something to do with Novell access, whatever that is.

Port 5003 is opened and redirected. But machines (computers and iPads) outside my office's network still could not access it.

I'm starting to think whether Instant Web Publishing is a better option and would solve the problem at least for now. Do you have any recommendations or cautions that you can give me on this?

Many thanks again for your help.

The MacGuffin

[IdealData]

as our IT only offers VPN access to a very limited number of people for security reasons. The database is to be made available to the entire organisation, all offices, across the world

If VPN IS required to access anything inside your network then how do they deploy anything to anyone without VPN rights?

It's not just a FileMaker problem - it would be the same for any internally hosted system.

[HHMacGuffin]

Thanks for the comment IdealData,

As a non-IT specialist, I don't really have an answer to your question. All this network/hosting stuff is really quite beyond my expertise. I guess what you've asked is THE question I should be asking my IT department.

And I do realise this is not just a FileMaker problem, but I'm trying to figure out if I've already done everything on the FileMaker side.

I asked about the Instant Web Publishing option, because I've come across a few articles online that seems to indicate that's how some organisations give access in situations like this. As usual, please do correct me if I'm wrong.

Many thanks again for your help.

MacGuffin

[HHMacGuffin]

Hi all,

We have finally resolved the problem. From what I can understand from our IT team, there is some sort of settings that controls the strength of the Firewall, in addition to opening the ports. Apparently my organisation's Firewall settings were pretty high by default, and after reducing that for the server machine, everything worked fine.

I would like to thank the forum contributors for their great help and support, especially Steven and IdealData. A million thanks.

MacGuffin

[Steven H. Blackwell]

Glad you are up and running now.

Steven