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Connecting to a FileMaker Database With the Database Connectivity Toolkit?

Primary Software: LabVIEW Development Systems>>Professional Development System
Primary Software Version: 8.5
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: LabVIEW Toolkits>>Database Connectivity Toolset

Problem:
I know FileMaker is an ODBC-compliant database, but I am having trouble connecting to it with the Database Connectivity Toolkit.  Is there a specific procedure for doing this?

Solution:
FileMaker is a database application that is ODBC-compliant and was originally released for Apple Macintosh.  It is compatible with both Mac OS and Windows and can be networked simultaneously to a mixed Windows and Mac OS X user base.  LabVIEW can connect to any database that is ODBC driver compliant. 

A trial version of FileMaker Pro 9 can be downloaded from the FileMaker website.  The following instructions are for connecting to a FileMaker database with LabVIEW on Windows XP.

  1. Open FileMaker and create and save a database if an existing one is not already present.
  2. In FileMaker, enable ODBC sharing (File»Sharing»ODBC/JDBC»On).
  3. You will need to have Microsoft Data Access Components installed in order to install the ODBC client driver.  Make sure that you have MDAC 2.8 SP1 is installed which is available from www.microsoft.com.
  4. From the FileMaker CD or Trial Installation Files, navigate to xDBC\ODBC Client Driver Installer.  This will install DataDirect 32-BIT SequeLink 5.5, which is the ODBC driver needed for FileMaker.
  5. Navigate to Control Panel»Administrative Tools»Data Sources (ODBC)»System DNS»Add»DataDirect 32-BIT SequeLink 5.5.
  6. Choose a meaningful Data Source Name (DSN) and localhost for the Server Host.
  7. The port should be 2399.  Make sure that you do not have any other services running on this port.
  8. Select the filename of the database you want to use as the data source but do not type the file extension.  If you have spaces in the database name you must replace them with %20.
  9. Use the DB Tools Open Connection VI to connect with the FileMaker database.  Enter the name of the DSN along with the username and password that FileMaker prompts you for when you open the database.  You should now be able to connect to the database.
  10. A FileMaker database must be open in order for you to connect to it.  If the database is closed it will not connect.


Related Links:
Direct PDF Link: FileMaker 9 ODBC and JDBC Guide
Product Manuals: Database Connectivity Toolset User Manual

 



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Report Date: 03/12/2008
Last Updated: 03/19/2008
Document ID: 4JB714LC

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