title: how can I trigger jquery datatables fnServerData to update a table via AJAX when I click a button?
body: <p>I'm using the datatables plugin with server-side data and am updating the table using AJAX. </p>
  
  <p>My dataTables setup looks like this:</p>
  
  <pre><code>tblOrders = parameters.table.dataTable( {
      "sDom": '&lt;"S"f&gt;t&lt;"E"lp&gt;',
      "sAjaxSource": "../file.cfc",
      "bServerSide": true,
      "sPaginationType": "full_numbers",  
      "bPaginate": true,
      "bRetrieve": true,
      "bLengthChange": false,         
      "bAutoWidth": false,
      "aaSorting": [[ 10, "desc" ]],      
      "aoColumns": [                      
          ... columns 
                    ],
      "fnInitComplete": function(oSettings, json) {
          // trying to listen for updates
          $(window).on('repaint_orders', function(){
              $('.tbl_orders').fnServerData( sSource, aoData, fnCallback, oSettings );
              });
          },
      "fnServerData": function ( sSource, aoData, fnCallback, oSettings ) {
          var page = $(oSettings.nTable).closest('div:jqmData(wrapper="true")')
          aoData.push(
              { "name": "returnformat", "value": "plain"},
              { "name": "s_status", "value": page.find('input[name="s_status"]').val() },
              { "name": "s_bestellnr", "value": page.find('input[name="s_bestellnr"]').val() },
              { "name": "form_submitted", "value": "dynaTable" }
              );
          $.ajax({ "dataType": 'json', "type": "POST", "url": sSource, "data": aoData , "success": fnCallback });
          }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I have some custom fields for filtering the data server-side, which i'm pushing along with the AJAX request. The problem is, I don't know how to trigger a JSON request from outside of the table. If the user types into the filter, fnServerData fires and updates the table. However, if the user picks a control outside of the table, I have no idea how to trigger the <strong>fnServerData</strong> function. </p>
  
  <p>Right now I'm trying with a custom event I'm firing and listening to in fnInitComplete. While I can detect the user picking a custom filtering criteria, I'm missing all parameters needed for fnServerData to trigger correctly. </p>
  
  <p><strong>Question</strong>:<br>
  Is there a way to trigger fnServerData from a button outside of the actual dataTables table?</p>
  
  <p>I guess I could try to add a space to the filter, but this is not really an option.</p>
  
  <p>Thanks for input!</p>
  
  <p><strong>Question</strong></p>