1. fbclient.dll (I mean the full version - not the stub) is NOT materially
different at this time to gds32.dll
2. tools for admin of IB/FB can/do use gds32.dll equally and not
fbclient.dll to administer an FB server
3. Applications written for both IB and FB can be run by just changing the
connection string and security db path. I have this done with regard to
servers mounted on different machines but when I try to connect to FB on the
same machine (different port) using servername/port:drive:\path\filename.gdb
I do not get a connection. Although I get a correct telnet connection on the
new port, and I can scan the ports and see a service listening on this new
port, I also get this back from a TCP test

Attempt connecting to MYSERVER.
Socket for connection obtained.

Could not resolve service '' at port '3051'
Connection established to host 'MYSERVER',
on port 3051.

TCP/IP Communication Test Passed!

I have the services file correctly setup (?) with a
fb_db 3051
line in it.

but I cannot get a proper client connection. Using the security db as a test
case I get:

Attempting to connect to:
MYSERVER/3051:C:\Program Files\firebird15\security.fdb

Connecting... Failed!
------------------------------------
Unsuccessful execution caused by a system error that precludes
successful execution of subsequent statements.
Unable to complete network request to host "MYSERVER".
Failed to locate host machine.
Undefined service 3051/tcp.

Attempting to connect to services manager... Failed!
------------------------------------

Can someone shed some light on what I might be missing?
thanks
Alan