FM 12 server computer

[mleiser]

OK. I'm just about ready to install fm12 server. I have fm9 server running on an xp system for quite a while. Time for an upgrade. I understand that it needs windows 7 to run. I do not have a windows 7 machine so I have to purchase a new one. I'm asking for help in determing what computer to buy. Here's what I do with fm. We are a school and I have a number of programs written with fm running on the server. However, at most we might have 5-6 people on at a time, usually less. I have 10 licenses for fm12, 1 for advanced and one for server. The progrmas are school type programs, record keeping, etc., not very compute oriented. We also don't have loads of money so I would like to buy a computer that will run our server well, but nothing crazy like for rocket scientists.

I also don't want one that "might" be sufficient for our needs. I will slowly migrate off the 9 server to the 12, over time. Can anyone help me out with the choich of machine, space, power, etc. As an example, I use a regular XP computer, not a server, for fm9 server and it works fine.

If anyone has a particular computer in mind, like a dell model #, that would be great.

Thanks in advance

Mike

[Wim Decorte]

FMI have very clearly stated that Win 7 should NOT be used for any kind of production server, no matter how small. On the Dell web site, start with this base model:

PowerEdge T110 in the small office section. You may be entitled to a better deal with the education angle.

[Fitch]

Wim, Win 7 Pro is listed in the specs. Can you remind me what FMI said about it?

Mike, would you consider a Mac server? Works fine with Windows clients. Apple also has education discounts.

[Wim Decorte]

In the FMS12 configuration guide white paper that FMI released just before Devcon and in the under-the-hood and best practices sessions at Devcon, FMI states that FMS on Win7 should not be used in production. It's not a server OS and as such it is not properly tuned for server tasks.

[mleiser]

I'll check out the dell model. Thanks. We don't use macs here and I don't want the learning curve right now, though they're probably great machines. As far as windows 7, I saw that it does work so I'm surprised. What runs on the Dell you recommended (didn't look at it yet)? I don't know know server software. Will there be a large learning curve there too? Thanks. Mike

[mleiser]

OH BOY! as soon as you pick an operating system it more than doubles the price. Are we all sure that windows 7 on a regular computer won't work? XP is working fine for the server 9. Mike

[bruceR]

Then add 4 15K drives to support high speed and recommended RAID 10. And RAM. And hardware RAID 10. What is a realistic configuration for a basic Windows server? Looks like approx $2700?

[Wim Decorte]

The low end usage that they are expecting doesn't require 15K drives nor RAID10, as long as they understand what the potential bottlenecks and risks are and they have a disaster recovery plan to cover that risk.

Ideally I'm with Bruce and would go for those options if there is budget. The base model with 8GB of RAM and Windows 2008 would end up around $1,300.

Are we all sure that windows 7 on a regular computer won't work?

Not saying it won't work. Just that it is not recommended for production use. you wouldn't be doing yourself a favor by using it in production, those short term cost savings could become costly at some point. "it's expensive to save money".

[mleiser]

Mr. Decorte. I'm confused. I just saw your VTC training on FM Server 12 (BTW, I love those training videos), and it says that for the fm12 server you can use Windows 7 prof SP1. Can I or can't I?

[lazarus]

From the Filemaker Server 12 Configuration Guide, page 11:

Section 2: Windows OS: Setup & Configuration

Once the appropriate hardware has been selected, the next step is to set up and configure the

server. This section provides some specific recommendations for settings and configurations for

FileMaker Server on the Windows Server platform. FileMaker Server will run on client versions of

Windows such as Windows 7. While appropriate for offline development, testing, or

demonstration purposes, these OS versions are not recommended for production deployments.

[IdealData]

I will slowly migrate off the 9 server to the 12, over time

Do you understand that once a file is converted to FM12 it cannot be accessed from FM9?

[mleiser]

Yes I know. I'm working the windows 2008 server angle. Is there a large learning curve in using a server with server software? Or do I need the minimum knowledge to get it going? (I know this is not really a FM question but I've been handling XP machines till now with a few Vistas. I would want to spend my time on FM12 and not on learning how to use windows 2008). Advice? Thanks

Mike

[mleiser]

Also, we have a server currently that all our workstations are connected to (as well as our FM9 server machine running on XP). Is a new server going to affect it or is the server just for the FM 12 server sw that's running on it but we connect it via our current server to the workstations?

Looking at the machine you recommended it has a slew of OS's. Which do I take?

windows server 2008 r2 foundation edition x64 $259

windows server 2008 r2 standard edition 5CAL $755

Microsoft small business server 2011 standard edition factory installed $825

microsoft small business sserver 2011 essentials factory installed $469

microsoft small business server 2011 essentials factory installed with premium media $1,959

??

[Wim Decorte]

Mr. Decorte. I'm confused. I just saw your VTC training on FM Server 12 (BTW, I love those training videos), and it says that for the fm12 server you can use Windows 7 prof SP1. Can I or can't I?

Yes you can use it, for testing, development and so on. FMI does not recommend it for a production server.

I would want to spend my time on FM12 and not on learning how to use windows 2008). Advice? Thanks

It's not a question of "want" I think. There is no other option but to get proficient with the server OS. Unless you want to subcontract that, which is giving up a lot of control.

[mleiser]

ok thanks

[Devo71]

we just upgrades to fm12 and had problems with web page sharing thru filemaker small buisness server 11 essentals and since it is not in the os list fm does not offer support ... I have it running on windows 7 pro till my server 2008 software comes in

[Steven H. Blackwell]

And make sure you got the correct version of Windows Server 2008, or you will continue to have issues.

 

Steven