Considering performance

For best performance, run FileMaker Server on a dedicated machine reserved for use as a database server. When FileMaker Server is hosting many clients or a large number of databases, it uses a high level of processor, hard disk, and network capacity. Other processor-intensive software or heavy network traffic on the same machine will cause FileMaker Server to run more slowly and degrade the performance for FileMaker clients.

To improve performance:

  • Avoid installing FileMaker Server on a machine that is a user's primary workstation.

  • Avoid using the machine running FileMaker Server as an email, print, or network file server.

  • Do not use system or third-party backup software to back up databases hosted by FileMaker Server. Instead, use Admin Console to schedule backups of databases. See Backing up databases.

  • Disable screen savers and sleep (or hibernate and standby) mode on the server. These features reduce performance or suspend access to hosted databases.

  • Use a fast hard disk, multiple-disk RAID system, or reliable Storage Area Network (SAN) for the hosted databases.

  • Turn off operating system indexing services or any third-party file indexing software. These features reduce performance.

    See Optimizing your FileMaker Server deployment.