Database Reference
In-Depth Information
In addition to showing files from the host, FileMaker adds the host's address to the
Network File Path box at the bottom of the window. For example, if you select a host
with the address 192.168.1.10, then FileMaker puts fmnet:/192.168.1.10/ in the box.
2. Add your database name to the end of the network file path (after the “/”) .
Since the file you want doesn't show in the list, you have to type its name directly.
You're actually creating a FileMaker network file path, which FileMaker will use to
open the file for you.
3. Click Open .
If you typed the name correctly, then FileMaker opens the file.
If you get an error, then check to make sure you spelled the file name correctly, and that the
file really is shared and open on the host computer.
TIP
You don't need to put the “.fmp12” in the network file path. FileMaker knows you're looking for a
FileMaker database.
It doesn't matter how you share a database (peer-to-peer sharing or FileMaker Server). The
Open Remote window helps you find and launch all the shared databases you need. If you
have an Internet connection and you know the External IP address of your FileMaker Server
(ask your IT person if you don't know it), you can use Open Remote to connect to your data-
bases when you're out of the office. If you go that route, the IT people have to do some port
forwarding to make your FileMaker Server computer available from behind your firewall.
You'll need port 5353 for Host Discovery and port 5003 to access the data. If you need to ad-
minister the server while you're away, you'll also need ports 16000-160001 to run FileMaker
Server's Admin Console. If IT doesn't allow port forwarding, then you'll need to connect to
your office network by using VPN.
FileMaker Server
Back on Understanding Database Sharing , you learned that sharing files by using peer-to-
peer networking is cheap and easy, but risky. Even if you don't have more than five users in
your office, you're better off using FileMaker Server to host your databases. It's a special
piece of software designed for one thing: turning a dedicated computer into a lean, mean, and
stable database host. When FileMaker Server hosts your databases, you can have large num-
bers of guests connected at once—FileMaker, Inc. has tested up to 250 connections. Theoret-
ically, there's no limit to the number of connected users, but performance may suffer after the
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