Moving from 1 server to 2 servers

[Jaime]

Hello All,

I have a solution running on one FM server which is now getting pretty slow. I already got a second server and yesterday I moved half the files to the second server. The problem that I'm getting is that the files do not seem to find the new locations.

When I had one server and I would move the files to a new directory the first time I would open them up it would ask me for the location of the file. It would then browse around find the new location and open the file. From then on the files would find each other fine. Now with the 2nd server, when I open the files they would ask me for the location of the files on the 2nd server. Again I would browse around find the files and open them. The problem is that when I close FM and open it up again, all of the locations were lost. So, I had to do the process over again. But, I can't have my users do this every time. For obvious reasons this is not working.

My question is: What do I need to do to have the files on one server remember the location of the files on the 2nd server?

Jaime

[Paolo]

First of all, make sure every file is always accessed remotely (via the host button) trought the FM server. If not file corruption will occur.

If I had performance problems I would first investigate if this could be improved with better solution design.

Then, my second option would be to move every file to a single faster server (with fast ethernet and super fast hard-disk).

Splitting files between two server doesn't necessary involve performance improvements.

Finally the answer to your question:

Suppose every file works fine on single server.

Move half of the files to the second one.

Then go trought all external file references from a file on server A to B and vice-versa (external scripts call, relationships...). Filemaker won't be able to find the file so you'll have to specify again the file via the host button.

It's a very big and annoying work! but once you have done everything will work fine.

But I repeat, I don't think you'll have great improvements!!!

[Jaime]

Thanks for the reply.

The first answer is yes and no.

I can see all the files on each server through the host button, when FM asks me to location the new files. Normally, I have all of the files set to "multi user hidden" except for one file. So, my users they cannot see the files using the host button.

I agree the better design would give better perf.

But, that is a lot more work that getting a second server.

Yes, eventually I will do that.

The files are on a server with a Raid 5 SCSI system and 1 G ethernet.

I don't think the disk and ethernet can get any faster than that.

I was afraid you would suggest something like that.

I was hoping for an easier solution.

Jaime