FM Server on Windows 8?

[simonstock]

The System Requirements for FM Server 14 do not list Windows 8 as being supported, however only Windows 7 (and OS X Mountain Lion/Mountain Lion Server) is specifically mentioned as being no longer supported (FMS 14 was supported on Win 7 & 8)

What is the situation with FMS14 on Win8?

[Wim Decorte]

The requirements are very explicit about what is supported:

http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/14401/

Windows 8 is not.

Using a Desktop OS has never been a good idea so I guess we're just seeing requirements catch up to reality.

 

 

[Josh Ormond]

Windows 7 Professional was supported ONLY for testing. One of the kb articles specified that it should not be used for a production server.

[mrcfm]

OsX is a desktop OS, so I'm surprising that Win 7/8/10 are not supported!

[mrcfm]

We have a WinServer 2008 for domain purpose, I wont add one more only for FM Server! and I don't want to install FM Server in the same VM of domain.

If someone has mad e some test hosting in W7 or W8 please post here results.
thanks

 

[mrcfm]

Windows 7 Professional was supported ONLY for testing. One of the kb articles specified that it should not be used for a production server.

​if they supporting for testing it will be ok also for production, I guess.

We are only 6 guests so I suppose WinServer doesn't add any additional features for a very small group in terms of connections or others.

[Josh Ormond]

​if they supporting for testing it will be ok also for production, I guess.

We are only 6 guests so I suppose WinServer doesn't add any additional features for a very small group in terms of connections or others.

​See # 1 in the kb article. FileMaker, Inc doesn't make these recommendations lightly. Take seriously what they say, knowing they have a reason for it.

http://help.filemaker.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9647/~/general-performance-tips-for-filemaker-server-for-windows

From a performance perspective, Server OSs handle processing a little differently. So if you do it, have a solid backup routine, and save years worth of clones, and a decent amount of full backups. That way if your file ends up with corruption, you don't lose the entire file.  And proceed carefully.

Edited May 17, 2015 by Josh Ormond

[Wim Decorte]

​if they supporting for testing it will be ok also for production, I guess.

 

​The # of guests is irrelevant.  If you install it on Win8 and it works for you, just realize that you are outside of support parameters.  If and when you call FMI, it's the first thing they'll make you change before even starting to help you.

These parameters are know and explicit.  You don't have to follow them but you have to realize what you are getting into it.  It may work swimmingly for you, it may not.  But you're on your own.  Make sure that you document this and that it is part of the overall decision.

[Wim Decorte]

We have a WinServer 2008 for domain purpose, I wont add one more only for FM Server!

 

​Why not? Seems like a very arbitrary decision.  What's your reasoning here?

Either it is important for you to follow best practices or it is not.  Best practices are not dogmas; it's ok to deviate from them.  But you will want to document your reasoning for it and make sure that there is agreement on doing that (risk assessment etc).

If ever someone needs to evaluate the deployment, then the best practices and the FMI requirements are going to be the first thing that will be used.  If your deployment deviates from that then the documentation is going to help.

It feels like you are trying to compromise here and that is usually a bad choice when it comes to server platforms.  If FMS is supposed to host business critical workflows and data then it should be treated as such.  Don't start by short-selling the deployment.

 

[Steven H. Blackwell]

Pay attention to what Wim says.

Steven

[LJ]

I have a small gallery and use one standalone workstation.

I was planning to put our stock online and planning to setup a eshop using Webdirect running on a server with Windows 8.1 Pro, FM13 server, Webdirect and just the one concurrent user that comes with server. If I get to needing 6 concurrent users - fantastic. But at present I only need something small.

Now with the release of Filemaker 14 Server, FM have priced themselves out of my market by no longer supporting Windows 8 Pro. It's not the price of FM sever, but the price to purchase Windows Server and then get someone to install and maintain it.

[Wim Decorte]

You can continue to use FMS13 if the extra $700 makes that much of a difference.

If you are comfortable maintaining a workstation as a server than maintaining Windows Server is not any different.