We've been having speed problems with a new database that began development with FileMaker 7. We are using the seperation model consisting of:

5 data files (multiple tables within each)

1 Interface file (scripts, layouts, relationships)

The performance has always been slow, but we were told FileMaker Server 8 would be much faster, so we have been on 8 for about 2 weeks, and had minimal speed improvements.

So, just as a test, I took the interface file, and put it on my local computer, and pointed the file references to the server for the data files. It ran much faster. One thing to note is that we are using hte Mac OS X Carbon and Aqua design, so there are a lot of graphics.

Can anyone recommend anthing to speed it up? I've heard of using a program to create a RAM drive and hosting databases off ot it (like http://www.clarkwood.com/rambunctious/ )...would that help?

We are running the server on a Dual G5 2GHz XServe with 2 Gigs of Ram. Clients are Mac Mini's.

Likely the cause of your slowness is moving the graphics over the network, as evidenced by your observed speedup when using the interface file locally. On the FMI site, speed increases they quote for server 8 are for things like adding, editing, deleting, and searching records, not layout graphics.

I don't think a RAM drive would help, more likely Gigabit networking for all your clients (I know Mac minis can't upgrade...) or lose the unnecessary graphics, or have client machines use the distributed interface file on the local machine, like in your test.

Server 7 makes use of RAM Cache quite well for data (not sure about graphics, tho).

What's your Server 7 Ram cache setting?

You might also try setting the cache size higher on your FM7 client(s).

What happens about the speed issues if the system is accessed from a CPU other than the mini-Macs?

Steven

If you use a faster computer, things are a little bit faster....but still rather slow overall

Check the amount of memory reserved for cache on the FMP clinet on the workstations. It should be at least 12 MB. See if that improves the speed.

Also double check that you don't have multiple file references, or at least that the first one is the actual hosted file via fmnet.

Steven

You may want to look at a FileMaker blog we have recently started at:

FileMaker Blog

In that, we just added an article about FileMaker Server Optimization at:

FileMaker Server Optimization

We will me adding more information very soon.

Edited October 19, 200520 yr by Guest

Critical factors for FMS optimization include hardware, disk quality, memory, and perhaps significantly file architecture.

On the workstation the amount of free disk space and the amount of memory allocated to cache play a significant role.

I recommend a review of the Server Tech Brief:

http://www.filemaker.com/support/upgrade/techbriefs.html

Steven