FILEMAKER 8 SERVER ADMINISTRATION Paula Beveraggi Educational Technology Services

AGENDA Who is the FM Manager Hosting/Unhosting the databases Scheduling the Backups Troubleshooting Tips

Who is the FM Manager ?  The FM Manager is the person who will be responsible for serving the databases to the network as well as creating and managing the databases.  This could be the Tech, Media Specialist or even the AP.

How do I get the Remote Administration software for MAC?  The remote administration for FileMaker Administration runs as an independent application. It is no longer considered a plug-in.  The Remote Administration is available from the server application software and can be downloaded from the servicedesk:  servicedesk/osx/FileMaker/Filemaker 8 Files/Filemaker Server8  Launch the application like you are installing the server application.

Installing the Remote Administration Software 4 MAC

Installing the Remote Administration 4 MAC The Remote Admin software is now available on your dock

Remotely Administering FileMaker Databases

Before you can remotely administer your FM server to host databases, you must place the files in the location in which you intend to host through the shared volume on the network. As a default, FileMaker places a “ Sample ” database for you in this location to test for hosting and un-hosting. Remotely Administering FileMaker Databases

Location of Hosted FileMaker Databases - MAC In the Library folder, under Data, in the Databases folder is where the files are placed to be hosted on the server. This is the default location that FileMaker uses within its structure.

NETWORKING A DATABASE Before you can host out a database, you must prepare it for the network. This was previously known as Single User, Multi User, Multi User Hidden.

Networking a database Under FileMaker Pro Advanced Menu, Select Sharing, then select FileMaker Network

You must do this before networking a database By default, Network Sharing is turned off and No Users is selected. You must select Network Sharing On and All Users for the files to be accessible to users.

Logging directly into an FM Server 4 MAC Launch the Server Application The 1st picture is your favorite list w/o any servers listed The 2nd picture is your local server. Click “Add to Favorites” The 3rd picture is your local server saved as a favorite.

Logging directly into an FM Server 4 MAC You can also click on Add to Favorites and it will provide you with a location to enter server information that you are attempting to connect to. This next process is not normal practice. Use this feature if your server does not show up in your list.

Logging directly into an FM Server 4 MAC By double clicking in each column, you can enter the necessary information for the Server name and IP.

Summary Tab

Database Tab Open File By default, FileMaker places a Sample Database to test with. When a file indicates “Normal”, it is open/available to the users on the network to connect to. This occurs when the FM service is started for Remote Administration. This picture indicates that there are no clients connected to this database.

When status of a file is “Closed”, the file is no longer available for network for access through the client application. Database Tab Closed File

Highlight the database that needs to be opened. In the Menu, select Action, Databases, select “Open Database”, the file will be available for network for access through the client application. To Open a File

Who are Connected ?

If a user is using the Remote Administration software for FileMaker, the the user shows up in the as “Administrator” in the list. Remote Administrator

View Clients Connected to a “Hosted” Database Or you can view the # of clients connected to a hosted database from the “Client” tab. You can view the # of clients connected to a hosted database from the “Databases” tab. The computer named with the standard naming convention is important here.

Sending a Message to Clients A message can be sent to any client connected to the networked database.

Sending a “ Close” Message Database A message can be sent to anyone connected to a networked database.

Understanding Filemaker Backups

Scheduled Daily Tasks Each day is scheduled to a pre-specified location on the server. The is a default path in which the databases are scheduled to backup to. This backup is scheduled for Monday’s only. This backup will occur each Monday without an end date.

Scheduled Backups Here you see 3 scheduled backups listed. If you wish to have more than what is scheduled here, then you can create additional backups. Each backup overwrites the previous backup, so if you have to go back to an overwritten date, then you will have to revert to the Server’s backup tapes to retrieve the information.

How to run an unscheduled (immediate) backup Highlight the backup that is scheduled in the list as seen above. In the menu, select the “Action” tab and select “Run Schedule Now”.

Useful and Troubleshooting Information for FM Server

Plug-ins Tab You would want this box checked if your are using plug-ins to run some FileMaker files. This can be set for more advanced users.

Statistics Tab This box is to check the statistics that would show peak Users or usage. It will also show you how many clients are Connected as well as how many files.

Configure Tab # of Connections You can see that there are additional tabs within the Configure Tab. Here you will see how many network databases can be hosted and how many web enabled databases can be hosted. You may have the ODBC and JDBC connections enabled as well as a time a set for how long a user can remain idle. This would be beneficial if you have

Configure Tab # of Databases to host You can host up to 125 databases. Anymore than that, files will be dropped. This means that if you have 126 files, then the first 125 files will host.

If you cannot remotely administer FileMaker, check to see if Users are allowed to Remotely Administer this server. If a password has been set, it may be “ksedpleh” which is helpdesk backwards. Configure Tab Remote Administration

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