FileMaker Server
Hosting, schedules, logs, SSL, backups, and server administration for FileMaker Server.
What FileMaker Server does and when you need it
Understand the difference between peer-to-peer sharing and FileMaker Server, and what Server adds beyond hosting.
Opening, closing, and pausing hosted databases
Manage which databases are available to clients — open them for connections, close them for maintenance, or pause them to prevent writes.
Admin Console: the FileMaker Server web interface
Navigate the Admin Console to manage databases, clients, schedules, logs, and server settings.
Configuring automatic backup schedules on FileMaker Server
Create and manage backup schedules to protect your hosted databases with regular, automated snapshots.
Running FileMaker scripts automatically with Server schedules
Create script schedules to automate recurring FileMaker scripting tasks — nightly imports, report generation, data cleanup — without any user interaction.
Database verification schedules: what they check and when to run them
Learn how FileMaker Server's Verify schedule works, what it detects, and how to interpret the results.
Monitoring and disconnecting clients in FileMaker Server
See who is connected, send messages, and safely disconnect individual clients or all clients at once.
Reading FileMaker Server logs: Event, Access, Stats, and DAPI
Understand the four main log files FileMaker Server produces, what each records, and how to use them for troubleshooting.
Enabling and configuring WebDirect on FileMaker Server
Allow users to access FileMaker databases in a web browser without FileMaker Pro installed, using WebDirect.
Installing an SSL certificate on FileMaker Server
Replace the default self-signed certificate with a trusted SSL certificate to eliminate browser warnings and enable secure Data API and WebDirect access.
Restoring a database from a FileMaker Server backup
Safely replace a live hosted database with a backup copy — the correct sequence to avoid data loss or corruption.
File maintenance: consistency checks, compaction, and recovery
Understand the maintenance operations available for FileMaker files — when to run them and what they actually do.
File encryption at rest in FileMaker Server
Protect hosted database files with AES-256 encryption at rest so the data cannot be read if the server disk is accessed directly.
System script schedules: running shell commands from FileMaker Server
Use System Script schedules to run OS-level shell scripts or commands on the server machine on a schedule.
FileMaker Server admin accounts and file account security
Understand the two account layers in FileMaker Server deployments: the Admin Console admin account and per-file FileMaker accounts.
Connecting FileMaker to external SQL databases via ODBC/JDBC
Use external data sources to query and join data from MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or Oracle directly inside FileMaker.
Designing scripts that run safely on FileMaker Server
Learn the rules for writing scripts that run correctly in the server's headless environment — via PSOS or scheduled execution.
Optimizing WebDirect performance on FileMaker Server
Understand the WebDirect architecture and the layout and scripting choices that have the biggest impact on browser performance.
FileMaker Admin API: managing the server programmatically
Use the REST-based Admin API to automate server tasks — opening and closing databases, listing clients, and running schedules without the Admin Console UI.
FileMaker Data Migration Tool: migrating data between schema versions
Use the FMDT command-line tool to move all data from a production file into a newly developed schema without manual import steps.
FileMaker Server performance tuning: cache, connections, and threading
Identify and resolve FileMaker Server performance bottlenecks by tuning cache size, concurrent connection limits, and PSOS thread counts.
External authentication: Active Directory and OAuth with FileMaker Server
Allow users to sign in to FileMaker using their Active Directory, Open Directory, or OAuth credentials instead of managing separate FileMaker passwords.
FileMaker Server on Linux: deployment, monitoring, and systemd
Deploy and manage FileMaker Server on Ubuntu Linux using systemd, the command-line tools, and standard Linux monitoring practices.
Advanced Admin API: automating FileMaker Server deployments
Use the Admin API to build deployment automation — upload databases, push configuration changes, and orchestrate server operations from CI/CD pipelines.
High availability and disaster recovery for FileMaker Server
Design a FileMaker Server deployment that survives hardware failure, with fast recovery time and minimal data loss.
FileMaker Admin API for server management
Use the FileMaker Admin API to open and close databases, manage connected clients, and run server-side scripts programmatically.
WebDirect: FileMaker in a Browser
Understand what WebDirect is, how it works, and what the user experience looks like compared to FileMaker Pro.
Enabling WebDirect and Understanding Licensing
Configure WebDirect on FileMaker Server and understand how concurrent connection licensing works.
Optimizing WebDirect Performance
Layout design and server configuration techniques that make WebDirect solutions faster for users.
Themes and Styles for WebDirect
How FileMaker themes and styles render in WebDirect and tips for consistent cross-platform appearance.
WebDirect Session Timeouts and Configuration
Configure WebDirect session timeouts, connection limits, and idle behavior for production deployments.
Mobile-Responsive WebDirect Layouts
Design WebDirect layouts that work well on phones and tablets, not just desktop browsers.
Hardening WebDirect for Public Deployments
Security measures specific to WebDirect deployments accessible over the public internet.
Monitoring WebDirect Usage in Admin Console
Use FileMaker Server Admin Console to track WebDirect sessions, performance, and resource usage.
Troubleshooting Common WebDirect Issues
Diagnose and fix the most common WebDirect problems: login failures, layout rendering issues, and performance degradation.
Customizing the WebDirect Home Screen
Modify the FileMaker WebDirect home screen to match your brand and improve the user experience.
Let's Encrypt Certificates for FileMaker Server
Install and auto-renew free Let's Encrypt SSL certificates on FileMaker Server -- and understand why a restart is required.
SSL Certificate Management for FileMaker Server
Manage SSL certificate lifecycle: installation, renewal, expiration monitoring, and emergency replacement.
FileMaker Local Account Authentication
Deep dive into how FileMaker local account authentication works at the protocol level and how to manage it securely.
External Server Authentication (Active Directory / LDAP)
Configure FileMaker Server to authenticate users against Active Directory or LDAP for centralized identity management.
Claris ID and FileMaker Cloud Authentication
Understand how Claris ID works as the identity provider for FileMaker Cloud and what it means for your users.
Authentication Methods Available for WebDirect
Which authentication methods work with WebDirect and how to configure each for your deployment scenario.
The FileMaker Admin API
Automate FileMaker Server management tasks using the REST-based Admin API.
Scheduled Scripts on FileMaker Server
Create, configure, and troubleshoot FileMaker Server scheduled scripts for automated background processing.
FileMaker Server Backup Strategy
Design a comprehensive backup strategy for FileMaker Server: schedules, retention, off-site storage, and testing.
FileMaker Server Log Management
Understand the FileMaker Server log files, what each contains, and how to use them for troubleshooting and security monitoring.