Alias problem

[John May]

I've been running DB files on FM 5 UL on a G4 server. Some are accessed both via the web (using Webstar/Lasso) and FM clients. I have put aliases of all the currently active DB files in the Startup folder so if I have to do a server restart, they open back automatically.

I am migrating the DB files over to a new additional G4 running FM 5.5 Server, and opening them on the original FM UL copy on the old server for web access.

I've run across a problem, maybe because I'm not particularly technical, with the new aliases I created. I created them, moved them through my own workstation desktop (because sharing is off on both servers) and they don't work because it can't find the original.

When I do a "Get Info" on the new alias, the path looks correct, although the server name is a text name we gave it rather than an IP address. Could this be why it won't locate?

Is there a way for me to have a set of functional aliases in the startup folder of my web server that open files on the FM server?

[Anatoli]

John,

could you create small starter FM database, which will have autostart script, and that script will call something in file(s) on server?

When you design this opener script, click HOST button and select e.g. small starter script in file open on server.

That way you'll get connection even without OS sharing.

[Fitch]

John -- you do NOT want to open an alias of anything on the server! The only alias in the startup folder of the server Mac should be of the server application. Do NOT put aliases of the files! FM server will automatically open all the files that reside in the same folder the application is in. If you put aliases of the files, they'll open in FileMaker, instead of in FileMaker Server! (Assuming you have FileMaker on that machine.)

On the FM UL Mac, Anatoli is absolutely right -- you just need a "startup" database, that looks for the host and opens the required files.

John, I happen to be in your neighborhood, in fact my daughter Sierra is a 3rd-grader in the David Douglas schools! So if you need a friendly local consultant sometime, give me a shout.

Tom Fitch

Fitch & Fitch

Portland, Oregon

[andygaunt]

If you do create a small launcher database, remember to trap for error 100.

Otherwise if the server is not running the launcher will break the link and not be able to find the file(s) on the server afterwards.