File sharing and FM Server 7 on Mac OS X

[dp61]

I just recently started a new position in a company using Mac and Filemaker. I am a "newbie" to both. They are going to convert to FM7. I was recently told that FM Server had to run on a "dedicated" server. If this is so, it seems we are going to have to shell out more $ for a server to host accounting and office software. Server is a G5 dual processor. Seems to me it should be able to handle all we could throw at it unless its a software issue with FM. Can someone give me a real answer, as Filemaker doesn't really say anywhere.

[dharlow]

It is not recommended but I have done it, it all depends on how many users and databases you will be working with. If you have only a few users with small databases and not much file sharing you should be ok, but you will need to test it.

Again this is not recommended as it is best to have a dedicated server.

Daniel

[Vaughan]

"Server is a G5 dual processor. Seems to me it should be able to handle all we could throw at it ..."

It's not about processing power, it's about co-habitation of services that use the same resources. And it's about stability.

It is FMS's job to take data from the disk and squirt it into the network. That's also what file sharing software does. So does web server software.

Ask the clients what every hour of database down-time will cost them in dollars. Say the db goes down for 2 hours, and the previous day's backup gets restored. Put a dollar figure on the direct time lost, plus the time required to re-enter the lost data, and the loss of productivity while they wait for the lost data to be re-entered. It's frightening. (Like when you go around your house and value the replacement cost of everything you own, for fire insurance.)

If they want to run FMS and something else both on the same box, fine. But let them know the possible bottom-line implications.