There are a few options for accessing Streamtime Classic from outside the office. Which you choose will depend on what the remote user is trying to do, and perhaps some technical aspects of their environment (eg. internet speed):
1 - Streamtime Web
2 - Direct Access
3 - Screen Share access with a machine in the office
4 - Cloud Server
5 - VPN Access
1. Streamtime Web
This article explains what Streamtime web access will allow you to do. With a little setup, you can be accessing certain parts of your Streamtime system via a web browser. If Streamtime web does what you are wanting to do, it is the best option for remote users.
2. Direct Access
Information For IT Managers / Network Administrators
If your server is on a private network:
Your router must have Static Public IP Address (given to you from your Internet Service Provider) and your FileMaker Server machine should also have a Static Local IP Address which does not change.
**If the IP Address of the FileMaker Server changes, this will break your connection.
You will need to configure a port forwarding rule in your router to forward any requests coming in over ports 80 & 5003 and direct that traffic over to the FileMaker Server machine via its Static Local IP Address.
Ports 80 & 5003 need to be opened on the Firewall of your Router, as well as on the Firewall of your FileMaker Server machine.
The Router needs to have port forwards setup that are directed (routed) to the IP Address of your FileMaker Server machine, or the Mac that is hosting Streamtime.
Once you have your port forwarding rules working, you will be able to access Streamtime by opening FileMaker Pro, and go to:
File > Open Remote...
Select 'Favourite Hosts' in the "View" drop down list
Click on the "Add" button
Type in the Static IP or Static DNS Url in the field 'Host's Internet Address' and click "Save"
Click on the host name and in the Available Files List you should see Streamtime
Select Streamtime and click "Open"
3. Screen Share access with a machine in the office
This is the easiest option for accessing your database remotely. It will require an office machine to be available in the office with FileMaker Pro installed.
Screen share access can be enabled to allow a remote connection to be setup. There are a number of applications that allow for this connection to be established:
- Teamviewer
- Logmein
- RealVNC
From a machine in the remote location connect to the spare machine in the office and take control of the computer using Screen Sharing. On the machine in the office open FileMaker Pro and access Streamtime the same way you would if you were at the office.
Mac OS X machines have an inbuilt screen sharing application called "Screen Sharing". For more information about this see the article on the Apple Website called About Screen Sharing.
4. Hosted Server
We can potentially host Streamtime for you on our cloud servers, depending on your location and the speed of your internet connection. Email us at classic@streamtime.net for more information.
You can also deploy your own cloud server.
'Cloud' computing offers an increasingly viable option for companies that have remote workers. In essence, you can install Streamtime on a cloud server and a local server is not required. This means that backups are centralised and risk of theft etc. eliminated. Best to chat to us about this option as there are a few considerations - e.g., distance from server, internet connection, number of people connecting at any given time.
5. VPN Access
Information For IT Managers / Network Administrators
Your IT technician can create a VPN connection for you, so that when you are working remotely, everything works as though you are still connected to the office network.
To access Streamtime over a VPN, first connect to your VPN and then open FileMaker Pro and go to:
File > Open Remote...
Select 'Favourite Hosts' in the "View" drop down list
Click on the "Add" button
Type in the Static IP or Static DNS Url in the field 'Host's Internet Address' and click "Save"
Click on the host name and in the Available Files List you should see Streamtime
Select Streamtime and click "Open"
If you have any further questions, please contact us for more information.