Table of contents
What is a host?
A host is a computer that releases any data for other devices (clients) in a network and thus makes it available for editing. In the FileMaker environment, a host is usually a FileMaker server that shares FileMaker databases with other users in the network. In smaller environments, this can also be FileMaker Pro, with which databases can be shared with up to four other users in the network. The server is also referred to as a host in other network environments.
Opening FileMaker databases from a host
In FileMaker Pro, databases can be opened directly from a host. To do this, in the FileMaker Start Center (menu bar: Open Remote), select the tab [Hosts] button. All hosts of FileMaker databases accessible in your network are then displayed in the left-hand column. If you select a host in the left-hand column, all databases that the selected host makes available are displayed in the right-hand column.
Access options to a FileMaker host
A FileMaker Host can be accessed with FileMaker Pro for macOS and Windows with FileMaker Go for iOS as well as with web browsers and WebDirect. FileMaker Runtime solutions cannot access a FileMaker Host. With FileMaker Pro 16, it is no longer possible to access data from FileMaker Server 12 or 13.
FileMaker hosting in LAN and on the Internet
FileMaker databases can be shared on the local network (LAN) or on the Internet. With the latter option, the FileMaker server must be accessible via the Internet. The access speed of the database then depends on the bandwidth available for the server and for the accessing client.
