Upgrading the operating system on machines running FileMaker Server

For a list of supported operating system versions, see the FileMaker Server system requirements and the Claris Platform Technical Specifications.

Applying security updates or minor operating system updates

When applying a security update or minor operating system update—for example, from macOS 10.14.1 to 10.14.2 or using Windows Update—stop the FileMaker Server processes, apply the update, and then restart the machine.

  1. Save the settings for your schedules and administrator roles. See Step 1. Save your schedules and administrator roles. (This step is a precaution in case the system update causes issues that require you to uninstall and reinstall.)

  2. Note your existing FileMaker Server settings. See Step 2. Note your FileMaker Server settings.

  3. Stop FileMaker Server. See Step 3. Stop FileMaker Server.

  4. Make a copy of any databases and shell script files you used with FileMaker Server. Copy the files to an external volume. See Step 4. Make a copy of databases, operating system scripts, and plug-ins.

  5. Apply the security update or system update, and then restart the machine.

  6. If FileMaker Server wasn't set up to automatically start, start FileMaker Server manually.

    See CLI Help for the fmsadmin start command or see FileMaker Server Help.

  7. Start Admin Console. See Starting Admin Console.

  8. Use Admin Console to verify that all FileMaker Pro databases are hosted and that all FileMaker Server settings, schedules, and administrator roles are preserved.

  9. Review the FileMaker Server Event.log for any error messages, warning messages, or unexpected settings changes.

  10. If you find any problems, uninstall FileMaker Server and reinstall it, then restore the files and settings you saved before applying the update. See steps 5 through 10 in Applying a major system update for instructions on how to uninstall and restore.

Applying a major system update

When applying a major operating system update—for example, from macOS 10.13 to macOS 10.14 or from Windows Server 2012 R2 to Windows Server 2016—uninstall FileMaker Server, upgrade your operating system, and then reinstall FileMaker Server.

  1. Save the settings for your schedules and administrator roles. See Step 1. Save your schedules and administrator roles.

  2. Note your existing FileMaker Server settings. See Step 2. Note your FileMaker Server settings.

  3. Stop FileMaker Server. See Step 3. Stop FileMaker Server.

  4. Make a copy of any databases and shell script files you used with FileMaker Server. Copy the files to an external volume. See Step 4. Make a copy of databases, operating system scripts, and plug-ins.

  5. Uninstall FileMaker Server. See Step 5. Uninstall FileMaker Server.

  6. Upgrade your operating system.

  7. Install FileMaker Server. See Step 6. Install FileMaker Server.

  8. Move any databases or script files you used with the previous version of FileMaker Server to the proper folders within the FileMaker Server folder structure. See Step 7. Move files to the proper location.

  9. Load the settings for your schedules and administrator roles. See Step 8. Load your Admin Console schedules and administrator roles.

  10. Configure FileMaker Server. See Step 9. Configure your deployment.