[fhmoore]

I have 3 computers running on an Airport network at home. I have a G5 iMac with Filemaker Pro 8.5, and a 17" MacBook Pro with FMP 8.0, and a 15" MacBook Pro with FMP 7. I used to be able to open a file on my iMac with the MacBook Pro and use it on both computers at the same time. For sometime now, I have been unable to open a file using the Open Remote function. I can connect the computers with the Network and I can actually open the file from the other computer by Mounting it with Network and then finding the file and opening it, but only one computer at a time can use the file this way.

I used to be able to select the Open Remote function in FMP and see my other compter and see the file that was open on the other computer. Now it won't show me the remote file. It doesn't make any difference if I have connected to the other computer with Network or not. In the past, it didn't make any difference if they were mounted or not. If the file was open on one computer, I could see it on the other. I can see the other compter (I think) when I use the Open Remote function. I don't know what has changed that made it stop working. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thank you very much,

Frank Moore

[Mycroft_Holmes_MW]

Hey Frank,



1. Check your file's Sharing settings. Network Sharing needs to be on and Network Access enabled for the account that's logging in.

2. Check your account's privilege set's Extended Privilege Set options to make sure the FileMaker Network option is checked.

3. Do not attempt to use a FileMaker file over the network using OS file sharing. This can damage files.

[fhmoore]

Thank you for the information. I checked all those things, and they seem to be as you described. I checked again on the Open Remote, then Local Hosts, and it doesn't seem the Filemaker sees any other local hosts. It sees the computer I am using and lists the files that it has open, but does not see the files on the other computer. Can FMP 8.0 see files being run on FMP 8.5? It seems that FMP can't see that the other computers are connected. Is Local Hosts supposed to show all the computers that are connected and running FMP automatically, or do you have to do someting to make it see the other computers? I tried to add to favorites by typing in the fmnet address (fmnet:/10.0.1.3/) and it didn't see any files.



My G5 iMac is running FMP 8.5 and the MacBook Pro is running FMP 8.0. both computers are running OS 10.4.11.



Thank you for helping me.



Frank Moore

[Mycroft_Holmes_MW]

Yeah, FM7 through 9 all use the same file format, so they can open files hosted by another version (not that everything will work the same).



A couple more things to check:

If the host is on the airport network, and the client is not (or vise-versa), you won't be able to see the hosted files unless the airport base station is in bridge mode. If they are both on the airport network, it shouldn't matter. Although, I guess if you're able to see the host machine with file sharing, this wouldn't be the problem.

Make sure there's no firewall blocking. Try turning off your firewall or adding port 5003 to the allowed list.

[fhmoore]

I turned off the Firewall and did all the things you mentioned with the privileges and now I can connect. I found that if I opened a file with my 15" MacBook Pro running 10.5 that I could Open Remote the files on that computer. It turns out that the Firewall is in a different place , and the Firewall was turned off. That is why I could open those files.

You mention adding port 5003 to the allowed list. How do you do that? I couldn't find any place that would allow me to do anything with ports. I am sure there is an easy answer, but I am entering new territory with this Network stuff.

Thank you so much for your help. This has been a problem for months.



Frank Moore

[fhmoore]

In your last reply, you mention adding port 5003 to the allowed list. How do you do that?



Thanks,



Frank Moore

[Mycroft_Holmes_MW]

Is it a hardware firewall or OS X's firewall? If it's a hardware firewall, there should be a place in the configuration to add a service (check with the manufacturer). If it's OS X's firewall, what version of OS X?

[fhmoore]

I am using OSX 10.4.11 on 2 computers, and 10.5 in the other one. I was using the OSX Sharing Firewall. I have just turned it off to allow filesharing with Filemaker. I am using an Airport to network the computers, so do I even need to use the OSX firewall? I have heard that the Airport, since it is a router, has a Firewall. Is that correct?



Thank you again for all your help!!!



Frank Moore

[Mycroft_Holmes_MW]

I'm sorry, your host configuration is not clear.

You probably don't need a software firewall if your router is using NAT and you're not port forwarding, and your airport network is encrypted with WPA and a good password.

[fhmoore]

Thank you for the information and for your help!



Frank