Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 19. Sharing Data Using
FileMaker Server
Up to this point, you've been learning how to create a database that works for you and your
users. But you haven't learned how to let all your users connect to the file at the same time.
For that, you have to
share
your database file. But before you dive in, you need to consider
where you're going to keep the shared file and how other people's computers connect to it.
You can choose from three main types of sharing: FileMaker Network, FileMaker Server,
and Internet sharing. Internet sharing comes in two versions—Custom Web Publishing and
the new WebDirect, which lets users with FileMaker Go (those who have an iOS device) or a
browser (everybody else) connect to your database.
Chapter 20
deals with Internet sharing,
but in this chapter you'll learn about how to share your database with people who are on your
local network. You have two options:
▪
FileMaker Network
. This type of file sharing is also called
peer-to-peer
—you don't use
a server or any special software. You share files by using ordinary computers. Peer-to-
peer sharing is limited to five users at once. Everyone using a computer to access the
files will need a copy of FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Pro Advanced.
▪
FileMaker Server
is the preferred method for database sharing, even if you have fewer
than five users. FileMaker Server offers protection for your files in case of a crash, auto-
mated backups, and tremendous speed and stability boosts over peer-to-peer sharing.
Theoretically, you can have an unlimited number of FileMaker Pro users connected to a
FileMaker Server-hosted database at one time. In the real world, 250 users is the tested
limit.
NOTE
You can use any FileMaker database as a sample file for this chapter.
Understanding Database Sharing
In a shared database, users who connect to that database can all work in the database at the
same time. They each have access to any table, record, or layout specified in their access
privileges (
Extended Privileges
). For the most part, you can have users adding, editing, and
deleting records, performing finds, printing, and running scripts without stepping on each
other's toes. But there's one big exception—no two people can work in the same
record
at
