Instant Web Publishing Guide

Chapter 1
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About publishing FileMaker Pro databases on the web 7
Instant Web Publishing requirements
To publish databases using Instant Web Publishing you need:
1 a Windows- or Mac OS-based computer running FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server Advanced,
enabled for Instant Web Publishing
1 access to the internet or an intranet
1 one or more open FileMaker Pro databases
1 the FileMaker Pro web publishing components (automatically installed with a complete installation)
1 a web browser for testing database access (see “Web browser requirements” on page 19)
Important You cannot enable Instant Web Publishing in FileMaker Pro if FileMaker Server or
FileMaker Server Advanced is also running on the same computer.
Connecting to the internet or an intranet
When you publish databases on the internet or an intranet, the host computer must be running FileMaker Pro
or FileMaker
Server Advanced, and the databases you want to share must be open.
In addition:
1 It is strongly recommended that you publish your database on a computer with a full-time internet or
intranet connection using TCP/IP. You can publish databases without a full-time connection, but they are
only available to users when your computer is connected to the internet or an intranet.
1 The host computer should have a dedicated static (permanent) IP address or a domain name. If you
connect to the internet with an internet service provider (ISP), your IP address might be dynamically
allocated (it is different each time you connect). A dynamic IP address makes it more difficult for users
to locate your databases. If you are not sure of the type of access available to you, consult your ISP or
network administrator.
About hosting databases with FileMaker Pro
FileMaker Pro Instant Web Publishing is designed for sharing data in small workgroups, or for accessing
your own data on a network. When hosted with FileMaker Pro, Instant Web Publishing can share files with
up to five concurrent web users.
Note You must use FileMaker Server Advanced to use Instant Web Publishing to share files with more than
five web users.
About hosting databases with FileMaker Server Advanced
To share information with more simultaneous web users, you can host the databases with FileMaker Server
Advanced. Other benefits of hosting web published files with FileMaker Server Advanced include:
1 Better support for long running applications
1 Easier maintenance with support for scheduled activities like backups and remote administration
1 Support for hosting more files simultaneously
1 Increased security with SSL encryption
For general information, see “Hosting databases with FileMaker Server Advanced: an overview” on
page 36. For more information, see FileMaker Server Custom Web Publishing with XML and XSLT,
FileMaker Server Custom Web Publishing with PHP and FileMaker Server Help.