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12 Days of FileMaker 12: Server Performance

May 31, 2012 by Kirk Bowman 4 Comments

FileMaker Server is the primary tool for monitoring and enhancing the performance of FileMaker solutions. FileMaker Server 12 provides new features to increase the ability of the database administrator or developer to create the best experience for the users.

Performance Tools in FileMaker Server

In this session from the 12 Days of FileMaker 12, I explore six aspects of performance with the new server.

  1. Faster WAN Performance – FileMaker Server 12 can perform finds up to 40% faster, display large value lists quicker, and evaluate filtered portals on the server instead of the workstation. The enhancements improve the performance of FileMaker over a wide-area network.
  2. More Stable Architecture – The server architecture has six separate processes to isolate the impact of one on another. Five of the processes can start, stop or restart from the command line for more control over the server.
  3. More Efficient Backups – Backup schedules only backup the databases that have changed, using hard links for databases that have not changed. The new Progressive Backup goes further by backing up on the data that has changed. Both reduce the time necessary to back up a database.
  4. 64-bit Application – On a 64-bit operating system, FileMaker Server 12 can use up to one terabyte of RAM for the server cache. It is important because RAM is faster than the hard disk. The database, web publishing, ODBC and progressive backup processes are each 64-bit.
  5. Progressive Media Download – With the new Remote Container feature, the server can create thumbnails of large images and stream PDF and video files directly to FileMaker Pro asynchronously.
  6. Faster Web Publishing – The new 64-bit Web Publishing Engine can handle more simultaneous custom web publishing requests, faster than the previous server. Also, session management is faster due to a new caching algorithm.

Even with these new features, performance is a complex interaction of hardware, software (OS), and database design. FileMaker Server 12 includes a new graph view for server statistics and more flexibility in the Log Viewer to help identify weak spots in the performance equation.

FileMaker Server Training

To go deep into performance with FileMaker Server 12, watch the video below including 15 minutes of question and answer.

Filed Under: FileMaker Server Tagged With: 12 Days of FileMaker 12, Backup, FileMaker 12, Performance, Video

Comments

  1. Brent Hedden says

    June 1, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    First off, I want to thank you for the Server 12 performance webinar that was presented a while back. It’s been helpful in our company’s upgrade process.

    I asked about the name of the web load tester that you used during the presentation. I wanted to broaden that question a bit more in seeing if there are any load testers that will work with FileMaker Server. Especially simulating multiple users performing a pre-defined task (like a script).

    Reply
    • Kirk Bowman says

      June 5, 2012 at 1:03 am

      Brent, I am glad you found the webinar on FileMaker Server 12 helpful.

      The load tester I referenced in the webinar is JMeter from the Apache Foundation. According to their web site, it can simulate loads of other applications. However, I am not aware it has been used to simulate a FileMaker Pro client load.

      Reply
  2. Stephen Huston says

    June 5, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    This webinar the best summary of tips on performance tuing of FM Server I’ve seen in several years. And, with the focus on the built in FM Server tools and information, anyone who uses FM Server will probably gain something useful from viewing it. Those who have never adjusted server caches or messed with other server defaults really should see this.

    Reply
    • Kirk Bowman says

      June 5, 2012 at 6:46 pm

      Thanks Stephen. I am glad you found the webinar useful.

      Reply

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