Thanks Steve, I think this is sound advice.

I appreciate your time.

Len

-----Original Message-----
From: FileMaker Pro Discussions [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Steve Cassidy
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2011 7:29 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Communication with Host Lost...

Hi Len

I'd like to point out a couple of things here that might help you, though I
cannot give a definitive solution.

First, you may or may not be aware that using Filemaker the way you are (in
a 'peer-to-peer' network) is not a very solid practice. It does work, and
Filemaker promotes it, but for a mission-critical situation it has some
problems. You are facing one of them. That is, if for any reason (which may
be external to Filemaker itself) a remote peer loses its connection to the
server peer, there is a danger of damaging your database file(s). In the
end, this spontaneous closing of the file will likely lead to corruption.
You need to be aware of this if you continue to practice this form of
Filemaker networking.

A second problem with peer-to-peer sharing is taking backups. You should
never take backups of the files while they are open. That means the only
opportunity you have for backups is during 'down' time. It is much more
convenient to take backups at regular intervals, such as every 30 minutes
during the working day. (Many people who run Filemaker Server would say it
is essential, in the event of a spontaneous shutdown of Filemaker Server, to
replace the shut-down files with the latest backup copy.)

So, one suggestion to you would be to evaluate carefully how important this
database is to your business and determine whether you should upgrade to
using Filemaker Server. Doing so would protect your actual files in the face
of network or other problems that are causing the connection to be lost. It
would also enable you to take regular, automatic backups. There is a cost,
of course. But you might consider it like an insurance policy.

As to your actual network communication problems, these could arise
anywhere. It is unlikely that Filemaker itself is the culprit. But Filemaker
is very easily disrupted by the slightest networking problems, since it
requires an always-up link (unlike a browser, for example).

I assume you are using latest revisions of both your OS (Windows 7, of which
I know zilch) and Filemaker?

The problems with the not enough memory and licensed user warnings are, I
think, fairly typical of what happens in Filemaker when files and network
connections are lost spontaneously. Whatever your setup, it is not good for
the network to go down. However, as above, Filemaker Server gives you much
more protection if that eventuality does arise.

Though I said I couldn't give a definitive solution, all of this does point
to two courses of action:

- Consider Filemaker Server so as to insure your many years of investment,
both in the face of your current problems and possible future situations.

- Continue looking into possible network, OS, power supply, cabling and
other problems as a way to correct the loss of network that you are seeing.

I'm sure others will pipe up with more detailed suggestions, particularly on
the network problems.

Good luck!

Steve


On 19 Aug 2011, at 10:58, Leonard Siskin, DC wrote:

> I have been an amateur Filemaker user for years and run my chiropractic
office on a database I built starting in FM5.
>  
> I am using 2 computers, one opens the file using FM11 and one opens it
remotely FM 10.
>  
> The system always worked flawlessly but recently the network loses
communication with the host spontaneously and I have to re-open the database
from the remote location.
>  
> I've checked my security software and replaced my router and all three
switches the office uses but the problem still exists.
>  
> Sometimes connectivity is lost every few minutes and after several times
re-opening the database from the remote computer it will say not enough
memory to open the database (I am using a core i7 processor, windows 7
professional and one of the two has 12GB ram and the other, 18GB).
Sometimes I receive an error message stating the maximum number of licensed
users are already using the software and it shuts filemaker down on the
remote computer.  (Both computers have licensed software)  The only way to
re-open the database on the remote computer is to shut down filemaker on
both computers and reopen the database then re-open from the remote
location.
>  
> Does anyone have any idea why this is happening or how to fix it????
> 
> I really appreciate the input from the group as many of the conversations
here have shed light on using the system better.
>  
> I'd appreciate any feedback anyone has.
>  
> Thanks.
>  
> Len