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If your computers are connected to a network, you and other Windows and Mac OS FileMaker Pro 8 users can access the same database file simultaneously. And with the powerful security model in FileMaker, you can determine what your users can do and see.

Sharing databases on a network


Peer-to-peer Client server
Usage example
  • Greg in Marketing creates a database in FileMaker Pro.
  • Joan in Sales would like to use the database that Greg created.
  • Joan gets a copy of FileMaker Pro for herself.
  • Joan can now use Greg’s database, hosted by Greg’s computer.
  • Mary in Operations creates a database in FileMaker Pro.
  • Steve, the departmental manager, sees the value of the database for the entire department.
  • Steve gets a copy of FileMaker Server and copies of FileMaker Pro for the employees in the department and posts the database to the FileMaker Server.
  • The employees in the department access the database, hosted by FileMaker Server, using their individual copies of FileMaker Pro.
Quick tip The database must be open on the host computer and that computer must be accessible to the employees that need to access the file. Make sure the host computer is physically secure and has scheduled regular back-ups. The powerful administration features in FileMaker Server 8 can help to automate backups, perform file maintenance and remote administration, roll out plug-ins to clients, and support external authentication. It also provides an Event Log to identify administrators and their activities.
FileMaker software required Clients (FileMaker Pro 8 or FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced)
  • Clients (FileMaker Pro 8 or FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced)
  • Server (FileMaker Server 8 or FileMaker Server 8 Advanced)
Number of users Up to 5 clients can share a file at the same time. Up to 250 clients can share a file at the same time.
Number of concurrent files Up to 125 files or limited by the available memory on the host machine. Up to 125 files or limited by the available memory on the host machine.

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How to share databases on a network

Step 1. Protect your database.

Databases can contain information from the most simplistic to the highly confidential. Before you share your data, you should determine what level of security is needed for the database.

Step 2. Set up your database for sharing.

To host a file so other users can access it as clients:

  • The file must be enabled for network sharing.
  • The first person to open it, the host, must open it with an account that has manage extended privileges access privileges.

Step 3. Share your database.

Users can access your database by choosing the File menu > Open Remote.

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More information on sharing databases

Do you need more information about the differences between sharing over your local network and Instant Web Publishing? Please see page 22 of the FileMaker Instant Web Publishing Guide. Also see sharing databases on a network (also available as an in-product Help file).

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