Is there a way to download a database from Filemaker Server without downloading the external container data from that database? Also, when uploading a database back to server it will move the external container data the is there right now to the "removed" folder. I want the external data to stay. Is there a way to configure this?

 

Thank you

I haven't played with external locations before but are they included in the backups? Reading through the manual I don't see any options about including or excluding container data.

 

http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10244/~/storing-container-field-data-externally

 

I wonder if you could create another Database and connect them through External Data Sources. This new database is responsible for managing the container data and won't get mixed in with your main database backups. 

Is there a way to download a database from Filemaker Server without downloading the external container data from that database? 

 

No.  For FM the remote container data is integral part of the database just as if it was embedded.

 

Same with uploading.  It may be a good idea to keep a separate file with the container fields and do a 1x1 relationship between the records so you can avoid downloading the whole thing if you want to make changes to the schema apart from the container fields

Yep the "separate file for containers" solution was a great idea. I have tested it and it works great! Thanks for the advice.