Is dedicated machine always necessary?

[smilemaker]

I need a little seasoned advice. I'm in the process of setting up a network system for a doctors office. The office will only be networking 8 PC computers (all new) to start--but may grow to 10 or 15 computers. What is the down side to running Filemaker Server and a File Server on the same machine. Is it only a speed concern? Is the data safe running in such a configuration (even if it is slow)?

With only 8-15 computers I'm wondering if two machine servers (database server, file server)are necessary. What are the risks of starting with both the databases and Files served from the same machine. Is there an increased data corruption potential? (If it is too slow, a second server could be purchase later.) Please help.

[Fenton]

I personally don't feel qualified to give a definitive answer to this. I can say for certain that allowing the folder containing the FileMaker files to be "shared," as in shared by the operating system, as opposed to be served by FileMaker's built-in networking, is asking for eventual corruption.

Many people use a "dual purpose" machine, only turning off sharing to Filemaker file's folder. This works, but it is not "entirely" safe. There is also the danger that someone else will come along and turn sharing back on, not understanding FileMaker.

Here is the most complete explanation I've seen, from Jimmy Jones, of FileMaker Inc.:

Please allow me to muddy the waters a little more and try to explain how FMP sharing is established. Note: I haven't run items 3-4 by the development team (there too busy) but I have talked to them about 1-2.

1. Each FMP has a reserved space used to store the current host name. When the file is opened the host enters its name into this space. Works the same on FileMaker Server and Pro. When closed this value is deleted.

2. When the file is accessed by double-clicking the file the client reads this area of the file and if there is a value there it stops opening the file directly and instead connects to the host as a client. This is why you still see the "Opening as a guest of..." message.

If you have the OS level file sharing turned on for the folder in which the FMP file reside:

3. I believe this is where the byte level locking comes into play, if the file is shared and the host is attempting to access the file at the same time as the client is reading the host name value and there is a collision then the host will close the file incorrectly and report an access problem. The file is not updated and is corrupted. This is the same thing that happens if the OS does file indexing or the Virus protection software does a file scan while FMS is attempting to access the file. (This is not the same as a System Access violation).

4. As far as I can tell a System Access Violation happens when FileMaker Server is accessing the files and the OS Level File Sharing gets mixed signals as to file access authorization and reports an illegal access. In layman's terms the OS thinks FMS shouldn't be allowed to access the files because it hasn't been authenticated by the OS file sharing. I think this happens because the FMP client request comes in and is validated but FileMaker Server is actually performing the file access.

Note: In my testing I have found that the entire path to the FMP files is the critical "No Share" zone. Other volumes of the hard drive can be shared. Only by having multiple drives or splitting a single hard drive into separate volumes does this work. If you share a portion of the volume the FMP files are on then part of the path to the FMP files is involved and could lead to problems.

-- The opinions expressed in this message are my own and do not reflect those of my employer or anyone else. Best regards, Jimmy Jones =

[dkemme]

Oh yes!!! Speed is one issue but reliability is worth a second machine performing the file serving. I run a medical office as well and am very happy with another machine performing the file serving, incidentally is a machine that a secretary runs filemaker pro without her even knowing her machine is a file server as well, and a machine dedicated to running only FM Server and the necessary backup functions.