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Custom Web Publishing Technology disabled/WebDirect is turned Off

Selvakumaran K — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 11:19:56 +0000

Custom Web Publishing Technology disabled/WebDirect is turned Off

Issue :

When our client restarts the FileMaker Server machine abruptly, this creates an issue on FileMaker WebDirect and displayed the error as “Custom Web Publishing Technology disabled; WebDirect is turned OFF”. Hereafter the FileMaker WebDirect was not worked but there is no issues on FileMaker Pro,FileMaker Go and Admin console.

General Solution :

The WebDirect issue on FileMaker Server will be resolved by trying the following solutions.

Restarting the FileMaker Server
Restart the WebDirect Engine
Restarting the server machine.
Install the latest FileMaker Server patches.
Update the latest Java version

Challenges :

All the above solutions will require the server machine restart. This will delay the time to use the Databases hosted in the FileMaker Server.

The issue can’t resolved after trying all the above solution, then most of them will suggest to uninstall and reinstall the FileMaker Server.

Alternate Solution :

But there is no need to reinstall the FileMaker Server, please follow the below steps to enable the WebDirect without reinstall.

Steps :

1. Copy the below file from another server running FileMaker Server or download “jwpc_config.xml”.

C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Web Publishing\conf\jwpc_config.xml

[download id=”5252″]

2. Copy the server-id from the below file path and paste it onto the serverid parameter in the “jwpc_config.xml” file

C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Admin\conf\server_config.xml

3. Copy the Server Version from admin console and paste it onto the product-version parameter in the “jwpc_config.xml” file

4. Save the file “jwpc_config.xml” in the filepath “ C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Web Publishing\conf\”

5. Restart WPE and then the WebDirect will be up without any reinstall.

FileMaker Server Experts at FMDBSolutions

FMDBSolutions is a group of custom FileMaker app experts that know all the ins and outs of FileMaker Server. Our experienced team has written blog posts on Fixing the Server Admin Issue as well as Enabling the Web Server, both related to simplifying FileMaker Server experience.

We also perform services for FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Go such as integration, maintenance, and migration. Contact us right away to get in touch or get a free FileMaker consultation with our experts with our experts by clicking the box below.

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A Closer Look at FileMaker Server

Koushik shankar — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 05:33:22 +0000

If you’re having trouble understanding what FileMaker Server is, our custom FileMaker app experts can explain in an easy manner.

What is FileMaker Server?

FileMaker Server is used to securely share data between multiple user groups using FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go, FileMaker WebDirect, and FileMaker Custom Web Publishing.

The FileMaker Server can also be used for performing a few automated tasks such as Backups, Generating reports, and Saving Information in a PDF using the scripts performed in the Server. If you need assistance, we also wrote a post on Displaying the PDF in Preview Mode.

FM GO and WebDirect users connecting FileMaker Server will be counted as a User connection. These user connections need to be purchased from FileMaker for accessing the database (DB). FileMaker Pro access will not be counted as a user connection.

Important FileMaker Server Notes

In Security, FileMaker Server has AES 256-bit encryption which can be enabled using FileMaker Pro Advanced (Developer Tool). FileMaker provides SSL which can be purchased and installed. All SSL connections will encrypt the data transfer.

You can access FileMaker Server through external authentication via Active Directory/Open Directory.

Make use of the other FileMaker Server Database to connect via ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) and JDBC (Java Database Connectivity). This helps to read from and write to FileMaker apps hosted by FileMaker Server. It supports up to 50 simultaneous ODBC/JDBC remote connections.

FileMaker Server can simplify credential management by specifying OAuth 2.0 third-party authentication providers.

Features of FileMaker Server

1. Logging Top Call Statistics

This feature allows the FileMaker Server Administrator to track and maintain the record of up to 25 longest individual remote calls. Using this log file, you can investigate and pinpoint each user-specific operations on this particular server to resolve any performance issues on the Server.

2. Enhanced Security Logs

Administrators can use security-related messages to detect and investigate attempted and successful unauthorized activity and to troubleshoot problems. The log created can be filtered and sorted.

3. OAuth 2.0 support for accounts

OAuth is a third-party identity provider that has been specified in FileMaker Server to authenticate a user account.

4. More User Connection via Web

FileMaker WebDirect feature provides connections up to 500 users at the same time.Anyone who access to the internet or an intranet and with the compatible web browser can connect to FileMaker WebDirect to view, edit, sort, search records. For more on FileMaker Server, read about it on the FileMaker website.

FileMaker Server on Cloud

FileMaker now has the FileMaker Cloud for Server usage. It is a cloud-based platform for managing FileMaker apps. It provides the simple and easier performance of the FileMaker Platform without providing time and resources for maintaining the Server.

FileMaker Cloud is currently only available in the United States and Canada. The core features are:

Speedy deployment – Does not need any hardware/software setup

Network Security – SSL/TLS level encryption supported with automates certificate management.

FileMaker Cloud Admin Console – Dashboard for the system and app performance

Separate Data/Configuration Setup – FileMaker Cloud stores the Developers files as a separate file which makes the upgrades and maintenance restart much more easier.

That was FMDBSolutions offering a closer look at FileMaker Server from .

FileMaker Server Experts at FMDBSolutions

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7 Steps to Transfer an Offline FileMaker Database from Computer to iPhone or iPad

Koushik shankar — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 14:36:41 +0000

The team of custom FileMaker app experts will tell you the best way to move your offline FileMaker database from your computer to another device.

FMDBSolutions is now going to give you instructions on how to transfer a database from a computer to a handheld. The best part is that it doesn’t even matter if you’re connected to the internet or not. These steps work perfectly fine if the database is offline as well.

If you have a phone or tablet, you can use it to access FileMaker. It has to be an iPhone or iPad though as only Apple handheld devices can access it. Android just won’t work. The computer, however, can be either an Apple Macintosh or a Windows Personal Computer. FileMaker runs on both these devices.

Our experienced team has put together the actions you need to perform, complete with pictures. Now, join us as we walk you through the process of FileMaker offline transfer step by step.

Transferring an Offline FileMaker Database in 7 Steps

Here are the seven steps you need to follow to transfer an offline database from your computer to your iPhone or iPad.

Step 1: Connection

The first step is to connect your device to your computer. Some phone or tablet chargers can be detached from the plug, allowing you to connect it with a computer. This will allow a smooth transfer to occur.

The file transfer is impossible to perform without this. The FileMaker database cannot be transferred without a proper connection between the systems. This computer and handheld should remain connected for the entirety of the file transfer process. Now, for the second step.

Step 2: iTunes

The next step is to open the iTunes app on your computer. Obviously this is easy if you own a Mac. If you have a Windows OS, don’t despair as there is also iTunes for Windows. Open up iTunes (download it if you have to) and carry on to the third step.

Step 3: Device

It’s time to push some buttons. Now that you have opened iTunes, you have to click on the button that says ‘Device’ on it. Be sure it shows the appropriate device. Take a look at the images for reference and move on to step four.

Step 4: Apps

Then, you need to go to the menu and choose the ‘Apps’ option. A list of apps should appear as shown below. Once this has happened, proceed to the next step.

5. FM GO

You now need to go to ‘file sharing’ and then click on ‘FileMaker Go’. FileMaker Go, also known as FM GO, is the key to all this. FM GO is an app for iPhone and iPad that lets you view FileMaker on handheld Apple devices. The latest version (as of 3rd July, 2018) is FM GO 17.

If you don’t have FM GO, you can download it from the Apple app store for free. If you need help with FileMaker Go, check out our FileMaker Go Development services. You may now go to step six.

6. Transfer

After that, you need to click on ‘Add’. Now, select the file or files from the FileMaker database that you want to transfer.

Beware of duplicate copies or filenames as these may be overwritten and replaced by the files from your computer to your iPhone / iPad. You can check beforehand just to be safe. When you are sure, click on ‘Add’ again to confirm and add the files.

7. Completion

Finally, the FileMaker database will be transferred to your device. Double check and be sure that you have transferred the necessary and relevant files before unplugging the connection between the system and device.

The file transfer is complete. Congratulations! You did it!

Those were the seven simple steps to transfer an offline FileMaker database from a computer to iPhone or iPad.

We tried to make it as simple as possible and we hope this helped. Be sure to check your iPhone or iPad afterwards and make sure the FileMaker database has been transferred and that it works as intended.

If it is not working properly or there have been mistakes, try repeating the steps again. As a side note, please follow the best practices for FileMaker development.

FileMaker Database Services from FMDBSolutions

FMDBSolutions offers high quality services for FileMaker. Our very name can be expanded to ‘FileMaker DataBase Solutions’. Our FileMaker custom app experts are very experienced in FileMaker.

FMDBSolutions comes up with the solutions to your issues and have performed a variety of projects for many companies. We are experts in this database software and you can seek our advice to solve any number of problems through our FileMaker consulting. You can also get a free FileMaker consultation with us by just filling out the inquiry form.

FMDBSolutions is here to work with you to define your project’s objectives, determine requirements, and develop an absolute solution which meets your needs. Contact us for more information on FileMaker and to avail our services.

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2 Ways You Can Execute SQL in FileMaker

Siva Kumar — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 13:41:28 +0000

In this post, find out the two ways in which you can go about using the ExecuteSQL function in FileMaker.

The ‘ExecuteSQL’ command is used in order to execute an SQL query statement for the occurrence of the specified table in a FileMaker Pro file. The ‘ExecuteSQL()‘ function first came into play in FileMaker Pro 12, released on 4th April 2012.

We aren’t going to talk about whether or not its useful (perhaps another time). For now, we will teach you the two ways to Execute SQL.

How to Execute SQL in FileMaker

Structured Query Language (SQL), pronounced “sequel”, is a type of programming language. The ‘ExecuteSQL‘ function can be used in FileMaker in the following ways:

I – Logical Function
II – Script Step

We will now explain both of them in more detail.

1. Logical Function -> Execute SQL

The first is the logical function. Here are some points to be aware of.

The logical function Executes an SQL Query statement (SELECT Query) for the specified table in a FileMaker database.
It does not recognize the FileMaker relationship. You need to define the relationship in SQL query.
If an error occurs at the time of execution, FileMaker returns a question mark (?).
You should apply correct format of dates in SQL Query. You can use DATE Statement, or else Execute SQL treats dates as literal string.
It does not support ODBC/JDBC date, time, and timestamp constants in braces.

Format

ExecuteSQL(sqlQuery; fieldSeparator; rowSeparator {;arguments...})

Parameters

Here is what each of those parameters mean.

sqlQuery – The statement can include a ‘Union’ clause that combines the results of two queries. The statement can contain programmatically generated SQL (dynamic parameters) that indicate where optional arguments are to be used in the query. Use the question mark character (‘?’) to specify a dynamic parameter.
fieldSeparator – The character string used as a separator between fields in the result. If an empty string is specified, the separator is a comma.
rowSeparator – The character string used as a separator between records in the result. If an empty string is specified, the separator is a carriage return.
arguments – One or more expressions that are evaluated and used as values for the dynamic parameters in the query statement.

Example

Suppose a database contains two tables, ‘Clients‘ and ‘Invoices‘, which are related through the ‘ClientID‘ field. The resulting table would look something like this:

Extra Notes

The ‘Client::ClientID‘, ‘Invoice::ClientID‘, and ‘Invoice::TotalDue‘ fields are number fields.
You can use the ExecuteSQL function to return a field value from a specific record without changing the current record or modifying the found set.
ExecuteSQL ( “SELECT PhoneNumber FROM Client WHERE ClientID =1”; “”; “” ) returns 123-456-7890 regardless of the current record, found set, or layout.

2. Script Step -> Execute SQL

Next is script step. Here is what you should keep in mind:

You can use this Script Step to manage data in an ODBC data source through an ODBC SQL interface.
This provides more control over the FileMaker Pro interaction with ODBC data sources.
You can Execute any SQL Statement on an ODBC data source.
FileMaker Server, FileMaker WebDirect, and Custom Web Publishing support this script only if the Perform without dialog option is selected.
If you use the ExecuteSQL script step to send ODBC data that contains Unicode strings, your ODBC Driver must support Unicode. Otherwise, the results may be inconsistent.

Format

Execute SQL [No Dialog; ODBC: ; ]

Options

You have two options here:

Perform without dialog prevents the ‘Specify SQL‘ dialog box, the ‘Select ODBC Data Source‘ dialog box, and the Password dialog box from displaying when the script step executes.
ODBC Data Source displays the ‘Select ODBC Data Source‘ dialog box. Select a data source from the list, click ‘OK‘, and enter a valid user name and password.

Extra Notes

Select ‘Save username and password‘ if you selected ‘Perform without dialog‘, or users may be unable to access your data source.
Calculated SQL text specifies a calculation to use as the SQL query.
SQL text lets you manually enter a SQL query statement.

Those were the two ways you can Execute SQL in FileMaker. We hope this blog post was useful. If you need more assistance, our guys are happy to help. Also, be sure to read our previous post on Fixing the FileMaker Server Admin Issue if you have come across that.

Execute FileMaker Projects with FMDBSolutions

FMDBSolutions is an experienced team of custom FileMaker app experts. We offer FileMaker services to companies in the West, including the US, Canada, and Europe. Our Sales, Marketing, and Project Management are all handled by our Texas, US office.

We have the ability to handle all kinds of FileMaker projects, so don’t hesitate. Look at our FileMaker portfolio for more information on the work we have done. Feel free to contact FMDBSolutions at any time for help with all versions of FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Server, FileMaker Go, and more. Click the yellow box for a free FileMaker consultation!

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1 Simple Step to Fix the Dreaded FileMaker Server Admin Issue

Koushik shankar — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 10:45:42 +0000

Are you facing the mind-boggling FileMaker Server Admin issue? Some people are unable to launch the Admin Console on the FileMaker and this is disastrous. If you are one of them, don’t despair as we are here to help. This solution will help you view the Admin Console using any browser.

This issue has left many stumped, but no longer. Here is a breakdown of the FileMaker Server Admin issue and how you can fix it in one simple step.

What is FileMaker Server?

First, a bit of background. FileMaker Server is a software whose purpose is to securely share data between multiple user groups using FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go, WebDirect, and Custom Web Publishing.

You can also use it to perform automated tasks such as backing up your software, generating reports, or saving information in a PDF. Speaking of which, we have a post on Displaying the PDF in Preview Mode.

Back to the FileMaker Server topic. FM GO and WebDirect users connecting to the Server are counted as distinct user connections. You have to purchase these user connections from FileMaker Inc. for accessing the database. The good news is that FM Pro (Client) access is not a user connection.

The Server has AES 256-bit encryption which you can enable using FM Pro Advanced (Developer Tool). FileMaker also provides an SSL which one can purchase and install separately.

FileMaker Server access through external authentication is via Active Directory/Open Directory.

FileMaker Server Details and Information

Here are some specifics of the FM Server in this situation. We will get to the problem and its solution afterward.

Version: FileMaker Server 14

Server: Mac Pro with 20GB RAM and 12 core processor

Deployment: Dual Server deployment – i.e. The master machine hosts the Database Server while the Web Server gets installed on the Worker machine. Both of these machines are interlinked within the network.

Users:

a. FileMaker Pro – 50 users

b. FileMaker WebDirect – 400 users

Server Admin Quandary

The problem is that you have installed FileMaker Server 14 on your Mac. However, you are unable to launch the FileMaker Server Admin Console due to an ‘HTTP STATUS 500’ error but the client is still running and you can access the hosted databases.

Solution to FileMaker Server Admin Issue

As stated before, this issue can be fixed in one simple step. This error message shows up because you installed the incorrect Java version on your server machine, so install the compatible Java version to resolve the issue. Download Java of the latest version and you should now be able to access the FileMaker Server Admin Console. Click here if you need more help with downloading Java for Mac.

FileMaker Server Development from FMDBSolutions

That was how you can fix the FileMaker Server Admin issue. We hope this article helped. You can also read our blog post on Enabling the FileMaker Web Server if you are facing that problem.

FMDBSolutions offers custom FileMaker development services that can help personalize and enhance your software. Our team of experts is experienced and well-versed in cracking a number of FileMaker problems, be it version 14, 15, 16, 17, or the FM Go App. Say goodbye to all your FileMaker Server troubles by working with us. Click below for a free FileMaker consultation.

Contact us for more and please leave us your email for receiving new updates.

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Guide to Enabling Web Server on a FileMaker Server

Koushik shankar — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 12:31:14 +0000

This post will help you enable the Web Server Engine on a FileMaker Server. We’ll start off by telling you a bit more about FileMaker Server.

What is FileMaker Server?

FileMaker Server is used to securely share data between multiple user groups using FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go, FileMaker WebDirect and FileMaker Custom Web Publishing.

It can also be used to perform automated tasks such as backups, generate reports, save information in a PDF, etc. By the way, our first post was on displaying PDF in Preview Mode if you need help on that end.

Anyway, FM GO and FileMaker WebDirect users connecting to the FileMaker Server will be counted as distinct user connections. These user connections need to be purchased from FileMaker Inc. for accessing the database. FileMaker Pro (Client) access is not counted as a user connection.

FileMaker Server has AES 256-bit encryption which can be enabled using FileMaker Pro Advanced (Developer Tool). The FileMaker software also provides a secure sockets layer (SSL) which you can purchase and install separately. Server access through external authentication is via Active Directory/Open Directory.

System Information

Here are the details relating to the FileMaker Server along with other important data.

FileMaker Version: FileMaker Server 14

Server: Mac Pro with 20GB RAM and 12 core processor

Deployment: Dual Server deployment – i.e. The Database Server will be hosted on a Master machine and the Web Server will be installed on a client machine. Both these machines will be interlinked within a Local Area Network (LAN).

Users: 400

a. FileMaker Pro – 50 users

b. WebDirect – 400 users

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s move on to the heart of the problem.

The FileMaker Server Setback

We had installed FileMaker 14 Server with several hosted databases. We have users accessing the databases via desktop using FileMaker Pro and WebDirect.

The Web Server was not enabled. However, the Web Publishing Engine was enabled and was displayed in a greenish color. The issue happened after our System Admin restarted the Apache Server. He executed the following command at the prompt:

sudo apachel -k stop / start

Subsequently, the Web Server was not enabled and was displayed in a grayish color.

The FileMaker Server Solution

We were unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the error right off the bat, but we had to start somewhere.

The first thought that came to our minds was that the issue could be with the Apache Web Server.

We ran this command in the Terminal to restart the Web Server:

admin$ fmsadmin restart HTTPserver
fmsadmin: really restart HTTPserver? (y, n) y
admin$

(Ignore the ‘admin$’ part as that is the terminal window prompt on our own system.)

There wasn’t much change though, as the Web Server and SuperContainer were still down. The web page showed nothing at the link. There was no web page, just a broken link.

Next, we tried a graceful start of the FileMaker Web Server:

admin$ /usr/sbin/httpd -k graceful -D FILEMAKER -f /Library/FileMaker Server/HTTPServer/conf/httpd.conf
httpd not running, trying to start
exit code 1

That indicated that the base web services were not running, so we tried this:

admin$ sudo apachectl start

This command starts basic Apache Web Services.

The results were better. Instead of nothing found, a Web Server was working, but the particular web page associated with FileMaker was not present:

http://mywebsite.com/fmi/webd# = Error Not Found

After that, we tried a graceful restart again:

/usr/sbin/httpd -k graceful -D FILEMAKER -f /Library/FileMaker Server/HTTPServer/conf/httpd.conf
~ admin$

We did not receive an error code this time, which is good. Unfortunately, the FileMaker Web Server was still not working.

Finally, we ran this step again:

fmsadmin: really restart HTTPserver? (y, n)

This resulted in the FileMaker Server finally working. Great!

We would call it a miracle but it was really us tinkering with the system and making adjustments based on our findings. Nothing more than science. Either way, feel free to use our solution. It resolved our FileMaker Server problem and we hope it works for you as well.

FileMaker Server Specialists at FMDBSolutions

That was the step-by-step guide to enabling the Web Server on a FileMaker Server. We at FMDBSolutions know all about the FileMaker Server and have done an extensive amount of work related to FileMaker. You can contact us, the custom FileMaker app experts anytime.

If you ever run into a FileMaker problem that you can’t handle, we’re here to lend a helping hand. Choose us to execute your next project. Click on the below box for a free FileMaker consultation.

If you want to receive new updates on FileMaker and our company, please leave us your email below.

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