If you have a FileMakerDatabase in the local Network will often wish to be able to access the database from other locations. In principle, this is possible if the database is shared via the Internet. If this is the case, the database can be opened in FileMaker with the menu item [File > Open > Remote] by entering the domain name or IP address. To share a database on the Internet, a web server with a fixed IP address is required so that the database can always be accessed at the same address. However, if you have sufficiently fast Internet access (e.g. VDSL or Kabel Deutschland), this can also be done more cost-effectively using existing resources. In this article we will show you how you can set up a FileMaker database easily and inexpensively via a DSL access with a permanently accessible address.
To share FileMaker databases on the Internet, you should carefully consider which scenario is most suitable for you and that sharing any data on the Internet is generally associated with security risks. If you want to share FileMaker databases with high performance on the Internet, we recommend using a web hosting provider for FileMaker databases such as walkingtowebbecause these providers guarantee the highest standards of performance, network connection and security. Another (and more secure) way of accessing your FileMakerServer The best way to access the Internet is to use a VPN tunnel, which can also be used with a Fritz!Box, for example, but is not discussed in this article.
For the reasons mentioned, productive use with real data using this solution is not recommended in many cases. However, the following solution is ideal for FileMaker developers for testing purposes or for the simple release of FileMaker databases on the Internet.
Setting up a dynamic DNS name
A normal DSL connection usually receives a new IP address every day. You will probably not want to have to write down the public IP address of your FileMaker server every day. To ensure that your FileMaker database is always accessible at a constant address, you need a fixed IP address or a dynamic DNS name. A fixed IP address is usually associated with additional costs or is only offered by providers in higher business packages. An alternative is a dynamic DNS name. With this method, your router, in our example a Fritz!Box, sends the IP address of the computer you have shared to a server, which then sets the routing for your domain and subdomain name to the computer you have shared.
Now that the former free leader "DynDNS" no longer exists in its previous form, this service can only be used for a fee or alternatives can be used. One alternative that has worked well in our own tests is the provider dyndnsfree.comwhich is operated by namemaster.de. Although a dynamic DNS name is only free of charge for the first 30 days, renewal is possible at prices starting from EUR 5.88 per year (EUR 0.49/month) and includes up to five hostnames as subdomains. A business tariff is available from 11.88 euros per year (incl. 19% VAT) and already includes the registration of your own domain name. Incidentally, the provider is supported directly by a Fritz! box and is easy to set up.
Configuration of a dynamic DNS name
In the backend of dyndnsfree.de, you can set up a dynamic DNS name of your choice, select an associated parent domain name and a password. In addition to "p7.de", there are other domain names available that can be used for your subdomain name. If you have booked a business package, you can also register your own domain name (without a subdomain).
Setting up the DNS name in a Fritz!Box
The menu item for setting up dynamic DNS names is located on a Fritz!Box under the menu item [Internet > Shares > Dynamic DNS]. In addition to namemaster.de, there are other providers in the list of Dynamic DNS providers where you can set up a dynamic DNS name. If you have not yet set up a dynamic DNS name with a provider, you can do so by clicking on the [Register new domain name] start setting up a new domain name.
If you have registered a dynamic DNS name, select the relevant provider from the list and enter the access data for the account you have created there. If your Dynamic DNS provider is not in the list, you can select the setting [Custom] and must also enter an update URL, which you will receive from your provider.
Preparing the release of FileMaker databases
If all details have been set up correctly both with the Dynamic DNS provider and in the Fritzbox, your Fritz!Box is now permanently accessible via the domain or subdomain name you have selected. By default, all communication ports in your Fritz!Box are closed to ensure maximum security. To make the computer that is to share your databases accessible from outside, the corresponding ports must now be opened for this computer. These settings can be made in the Fritz! [Internet > Sharing > Port sharing] be made.
The following ports are used by FileMaker 13 Server:
- Port 80 (HTTP web server)
- Port 443 (HTTPS web server)
- Port 2399 (ODBC and JDBC Sharing)
- Port 5003 (FileMaker database sharing)
- Port 8998 (FileMaker Web Publishing Engine)
- Port 9898 (FileMaker Web Publishing Engine)
- Port 9898 (FileMaker Web Publishing Engine)
- Port 16020 (FileMaker Web Publishing Engine)
According to the FileMaker documentation, ports 9090, 16001 and 50003 are only used internally on local machines. Which ports need to be released in detail depends on your specific requirements. If you only use FileMaker databases without WebDirect for FileMaker clients, it is not necessary to open the web server ports.
When setting up port sharing, enter the respective port number under "from port", "to port" and "to port" and select the respective computer on which the databases to be shared are located under "to computer". The Fritz!Box will then only open the selected ports for this one computer.
Share FileMaker databases on the target computer
With the above settings, your computer is now accessible via the Internet on the shared ports. You can now share FileMaker databases with FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server on the corresponding computer.
At the latest now you should make sure that your FileMaker databases are password-protectedbecause anyone who knows the domain name you have chosen can technically access your shared FileMaker databases using a FileMaker client.
Markus Schall has been developing individual databases, interfaces and business applications based on Claris FileMaker since 1994. He is a Claris partner, FMM Award winner 2011 and developer of the ERP software gFM-Business. He is also a book author and founder of the M. Schall Publishers.
I use http://www.purevpn.com/de/ for Fritzbox.