Using FileMaker Pro as an ODBC Client

Troubleshooting

ODBC Driver Missing on Windows

Im sure that I installed the ODBC driver correctly on Windows, but when I go into the ODBC Administrator, the DataDirect SequeLink 5.4 driver is not there. What happened?

This happens from time to time, especially on Windows XP. Its common enough that its specifically mentioned in the install instructions provided with the driver. To fix it, youll need to edit the Windows Registry. Choose Run from the Start menu, type regedit, and then click OK. The Windows Registry Editor will open. Select the Registry entry called

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREODBCODBCINST.INI

Within that key youll see entries for many individual drivers. Click each driver to view its contents. The first entry for each driver should be called (Default), and it should have some value, even if that value is only (value not set). If instead it has no value at all, select the key and press Delete. After you confirm the deletion, the key will be restored to a value of (value not set). Do this for the DataDirect SequeLink Driver, and then return to the ODBC Administrator to verify that the driver is now visible.

ODBC Connection Checklist

I can connect to my FileMaker databases via ODBC. It seems like there are a lot of moving parts. What could I be doing wrong?

There are a lot of moving parts. Here are the things you should verify:

• The FileMaker database must have at least one account where the fmxdbc privilege is enabled for that accounts privilege set.
• If the file is being shared locally, the local copy of FileMaker needs ODBC/JDBC Sharing set to On.
• If the file is being served remotely, it needs to be served via FileMaker Server Advanced, with ODBC/JDBC connectivity enabled on the server.
• If the file is being served remotely, port 2399 must be accessible on the host machine. Firewalls that block that port will not permit client access from outside the firewall.
• The FileMaker ODBC driver must be correctly installed and configured.
• There needs to be at least one DSN defined that uses the FileMaker ODBC driver and references one of the hosted files. Such a DSN needs to be present on any machine from which ODBC client access will occur.