Dedicated Server for FileMaker or...?

[tmir]

Is that true that File Maker server needs a dedicated mashine to run ? What happens if it installed on a sever with the following characteristics:

Server Model

[BrentHedden]

Supposing that the 100 users will all be using filemaker, and supposing that 75% of them will be on at one time, it would be a good idea all around to have a separate machine. If you have the extra funding, this will be the best idea for performance and maintanance.

My company uses Server 5.5 on a DNS, and have not had any problems with it. I don't know if server 7 is different, but you shoul dbe able to run multiple applications on one server.

However, this machine looks like it should handle it. The most users would probably notice is a slowdown, especially if other applications are running. I'm supposing that the ASP stuff if for a main webpage? If you campany has a heavy web flow going through that machine, and especially since the ASP code is being processed by that server, my ultimate recommendation is to have it on a separate machine.

[tmir]

Thanks for yor reply.

Yes, this mashine is pretty heavily loaded with ASP prossesing, as well as Oracle internal SQL and data pulls.

Currently FM resides alone on local Mac server - all the users are in the same building- they have no problems.This FM was installed in 1987 and the installation CDs are lost, the people are gone - it just was working fine all that time...

New management decided to free that room where the server is and move FM to remote server.They puulled me from my work ( I'm a web/vb/access developer with long history of other databases exp - no FM(!)) to assist.

Do you know how should I move the FM database.Should we get the same version of FM - 4.1 or the newer one and upgrade existing ? are they compatible ?

Thanks in advance.

[Reed]

The difficult part may be getting your hands on a copy of FM 4.1, maybe you could check amazon or ebay for a copy. You also have to worry about whether it will run on a newer OS.

If you upgrade to version 7 you may be able to simply have v7 open and convert your files and have them work as they did before. (If the system is simple) But big changes to the relational model, accounts and privileges, and many other things, may mean that the system could be rewritten to be much better. (Of course that means learning about v7.)

[BrentHedden]

Just checking around the office - I have a copy of FM 4.1! In the original box with what appears to be all of the manuals. I had to wipe the dust off to make sure it was what I saw.

Since I'm obviously not using it anymore, I would be willing to sell it to you, if you are interested. This will save your company the expense and time of having to purchase a newer version of FM, and converting/installing it.