Database Reference
In-Depth Information
for FileMaker Servers. On the other hand, SSDs cost considerably more per gigabyte and
don't have hard drives' long track record, so be sure to keep your backups current.
In addition to a fast disk system, you should consider adding plenty of RAM to the host com-
puter. The least important component is the CPU speed itself (but that's not to say it doesn't
matter; don't expect a fast server with a 500 MHz processor).
If you find all this terribly confusing, be comforted by the fact that most major computer
companies sell specially configured server computers. Let them know you're setting up a
database server, and you can probably buy a fantastic host computer with SSDs, lots of
RAM, and a fast CPU—all in one box. For all but the most basic multiuser purposes, you ab-
solutely should consider a dedicated computer designed by the manufacturer to be used as a
server. It may
seem
like one of their desktop computers has the same specs as the servers for
less money, but appearances can be deceiving. Server computers may have the same pro-
cessors, amount of memory, and hard drive space, but they generally use upgraded versions
of key components. Everything from the hard drive to the fan that keeps things cool is de-
signed for much more intensive use than a normal desktop computer. Consider the cost of a
good server computer part of your FileMaker installation, or you'll regret it down the road
when you experience poor performance, poor reliability, or (worst of all) loss of data.
Finally, no matter how reliable your server computer is, if the power goes out, it will crash.
And a crashed server can lead to database corruption and a lot of lost time. To protect against
this, consider purchasing an
uninterruptible power supply
, or UPS. You plug one of these
battery backup devices into the wall and then plug the computer into it. If the power goes
out, an alarm sounds and the battery automatically kicks in to keep the server running for a
few minutes, so that you can close the server's files and stop the server gracefully. Higher-
quality UPS devices can even signal the computer to safely shut down when the power is out
and the battery runs low, eliminating the possibility of a crash.
