FileMaker Server 13 Set-Up Instructions

This document will guide you through the process of setting up FileMaker Server in the basic configuration for use at MIT.

Basic Configuration

After installing FileMaker Server, you will be prompted to launch the Deployment Assistant.

1. In the Set Up Admin Console Account window, enter a User Name and Password for accessing the Admin Console, then click Next. The user name and password can be changed later through the Admin Console.
   Warning: For security reasons, do not use your Kerberos password or your Mac OS X administrator account password.
   
   
   
2. In the Identification section, enter a Server Name, Server Description, and Administrator Contact Information for your server, then click Next. This information will be visible to the users of the database at the Open Remote File dialog and at the Admin Console Start page.
   
   
   
3. In the Technologies section, under the ODBC/JDBC heading, select No, do not enable ODBC/JDBC.
   Note: Using a FileMaker database as a Data Source is not supported by IS&T at this time, but you may opt to enable this feature. Unless you plan to access your FileMaker database as a source via ODBC/JDBC, do not enable it.
   
   
   
4. Still in the Technologies section, under the Web Publishing heading, select No, do not enable Web Publishing, then click Next.
   Note: IS&T does not support the web publishing features of FileMaker Server at this time, but you may opt to enable them. If you do choose to use these features, review the [MIT FileMaker Security Guidelines] and the ITAG Infrastructure Requirements for Applications and Systems. If you change your mind and want to turn this feature on later, you can do so in the Admin Console under Server > Edit Deployment.
   
   
   Result: The Deployment Summary is displayed. Click Next.
   
   
   
5. Click Finish.
   Result: The FileMaker Server Admin Console opens, and displays the Status section.
   
   
   

   Enabling SSL Encryption

   To enable SSL encryption for communication between FM Server and FM Pro:

6. In the left-hand column, select Database Server.
7. In the Database Server window, click the Security tab.
8. Under Secure Connections, click to check the box for Require secure connections, then click Save.
   
9. For SSL encryption to take effect, you must stop and restart your server software:
10. In the left navigation bar, select Status.
11. Click the icon in the upper-right to stop and restart the database server.

Other Tasks

For more instructions on how to upload your databases, and create scheduled tasks to back them up, see Chapter 5 of the FileMaker Server 13 Getting Started Guide (PDF).

Important: FileMaker Server's backup feature creates a local copy of your databases, stored on the host machine. You should still use another mechanism, such as TSM, to back up those saved files to another secure location, in case of system failure.