Accessing external ODBC data sources
To host a FileMaker Pro database that works with data in an external
ODBC data source, you must configure an
ODBC client driver for the ODBC data source that the FileMaker Pro database accesses. For example, if the database accesses records from an Oracle database, you must configure an Oracle client driver.
Note The ODBC client driver must be installed and configured on the
master machine in your FileMaker Server
deployment.
When a FileMaker Pro client or web publishing session connects to the hosted FileMaker Pro database, FileMaker Server accesses data in the external ODBC data source on behalf of the client. Therefore, the client connected to FileMaker Server does not directly interact with the external data source, and does not need to install and configure an ODBC client driver. Only the master machine in the FileMaker Server deployment requires the ODBC client driver.
For detailed information on designing a FileMaker Pro database that accesses external data sources, see
FileMaker Pro Help.
To configure an ODBC client driver and set up a DSN on FileMaker Server:
The way you interact with the data source, provide a password, and perform and display query results varies with each application’s client driver. Additionally, data source configuration can vary from one ODBC client driver manufacturer to another.
For a list of supported data sources and ODBC client drivers, see
FileMaker Pro Help.
Use the following procedures as a general guideline for configuring data sources (refer to the documentation that accompanies each data source application for details).
Configuring the DSN (Windows)
1. In the Windows Control Panel, open Administrative Tools > Data Sources (ODBC).
•In Windows versions with the Start menu, Administrative Tools appears in the System and Security category.
•In Windows versions with the Start screen, Administrative Tools appears in the Charms menu by clicking the Settings button.
2. In the ODBC Data Source Administrator, click the System DSN tab.
If your data source appears in the list, the driver is already configured. You can skip the remaining steps and begin accessing ODBC data, or choose your data source and click Configure to modify how you’ll interact with the data source.
A System
DSN is available to all users who log in to your computer. A User DSN is available only when you log in.
Important Only System DSNs are supported for FileMaker Pro databases that work with ODBC tables in the FileMaker Pro
relationships graph.
3. Click Add to configure a driver for your data source.
A list displays all ODBC client drivers installed on your computer.
FileMaker Server supports several third-party drivers. For information on supported drivers, see
www.filemaker.com/support/.
To install a new driver, use the driver’s installation program.
4. Choose the driver for the data source that the hosted FileMaker Pro database is designed to access, then click Finish.
5. For Data Source Name, enter the identical DSN that the FileMaker Pro database is designed to connect to.
Important The name you enter here must be exactly the same as the DSN that the database was designed to use in FileMaker Pro. For each DSN used by each database you host, you must configure a matching DSN on the FileMaker Server master machine.
Many drivers also offer options to customize how you access a data source, such as identifying a particular data source file.
Configuring the DSN (macOS)
These instructions assume you have installed the ODBC Manager from Actual Technologies, available at
http://www.odbcmanager.net, which is a freeware product not supported by FileMaker.
1. Launch the ODBC Manager utility. (The ODBC Manager is installed in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder.)
2. In the ODBC Manager, click the System DSN tab.
If your data source appears in the list, the driver is already configured. You can skip the remaining steps and begin accessing ODBC data, or choose your data source and click Configure to modify how you’ll interact with the data source.
A System
DSN (Data Source Name) is available to all users who log in to your computer. A User DSN is available only when you log in.
Important Only System DSNs are supported for FileMaker Pro databases that work with ODBC tables in the FileMaker Pro
relationships graph.
3. Click Add to configure a driver for your data source.
A list displays all ODBC client drivers installed on your computer.
FileMaker Server supports several third-party drivers. For information on supported drivers, see
www.filemaker.com/support/.
To install a new driver, use the driver’s installation program.
4. Choose the driver for the data source that the hosted FileMaker Pro database is designed to access, then click Finish.
A setup dialog box appears.
5. In Data Source Name, enter the identical Data Source Name that the FileMaker Pro database is designed to connect to.
Important The Data Source Name you enter here must be exactly the same as the Data Source Name that the database was designed to use in FileMaker Pro. So for each Data Source Name used by each database you host, you must configure a matching Data Source Name on the FileMaker Server master machine.
Many drivers also offer options to customize how you access a data source, such as identifying a particular data source file.
Related topics