FileMaker external server accounts
FileMaker
Pro users can be
authenticated via an external server if FileMaker Pro database files are hosted
on FileMaker Server. In such case, the authentication of users and groups
for e.g. Apple
Open Directory or Windows
Domain are managed in
centrally-managed authentication server environment. Based on authentication
server active directory groups, external server accounts can be set up in
FileMaker Pro database files.
Unlike FileMaker account type, there is no need to
manage an independent list of user accounts in each of the FileMaker Pro
database files in case of external server accounts. The external authentication
server can be used to control access to database files hosted by FileMaker
Server. It is important to note here that files which are not hosted on FileMaker
Server but shared by
FileMaker Pro cannot be authenticated using an external authentication
server.
In
FileMaker Pro, groups are defined as account of “External Server” type
with needed privilege set using “New” option in File > Manage > Accounts & Privileges. The name of active directory group and account name in FileMaker
Pro are kept same. For e.g. If there is an Windows active directory group
“FMP_ReadOnly”, account (of type External
Server) with same name need to be created in FileMaker Pro with a privilege
set having appropriate permission to records, layouts, value lists, scripts
etc. For “Account is authenticated via” value field, there are two
options viz. FileMaker and External
Server. In this case, “External Server” should be selected.
While
setting up external server account, two important options (as mentioned below)
should be selected without fail. If they are not selected FileMaker Pro ask
password for FileMaker external server account.
1. In
FileMaker Pro, during external server account set up, “Access via FileMaker
Network (fmapp)” option should be selected in Extended Privileges list of that account. This can be
checked through Edit Privilege
Set option. External server account users will not be able to
access that FileMaker Pro database file which has this option unselected.
2. To
authenticate users against external server, “FileMaker and external server
accounts” option should be selected on FileMaker Server side. To choose
this option, below steps need to be followed.
a. Login FileMaker Server Admin Console
b. Go to FileMaker Server Overview à Database Server
c. In Database Server, go to Security tab. On Security tab, “FileMaker and external
server accounts” option is present in Client
Authentication section. Make
sure that this option is kept selected. If not selected, all external server
account users will be asked for login password and will not be allowed to
access any of FileMaker Pro databases
If
above options are set properly and still FileMaker Pro is asking the password
for external server accounts, following points need to checked.
- Make sure if user id is working properly in authentication server
- Make sure if the network connection is proper in case all users are affected
- Make sure authentication server is working fine in case all users are affected
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