Administrator’s Guide

Chapter 2
About the Web Server Connector
The FileMaker Pro Web Server Connector resides on your web server.
It relays FileMaker requests for XML, CDML, and other dynamic
content to one or more computers running FileMaker Pro 5 Unlimited.
The FileMaker Web Server Connector is a
servlet , a standard Java-
based mechanism for extending the functionality of a web server.
With the FileMaker Pro application and its Web Companion plug-in,
you can publish your databases on the World Wide Web or an
intranet. This built-in functionality enables FileMaker Pro to
function as a web server, delivering data from FileMaker Pro 5 files
to a web browser. Data shared in this manner through the Web
Companion can be accessed from client machines that have
appropriate network access and browser software.
With the FileMaker Web Server Connector you can extend the
functionality of FileMaker Pro to:
1
take advantage of other plug-ins and features of your web server,
including secure socket layer (SSL) protection and server-side includes
1
configure a RAIC to increase throughput and reliability
1
store static elements such as graphic images on the web server,
bypassing the FileMaker Pro Web Companion for pages that do not
contain Instant Web Publishing, XML, or CDML elements
In addition to these server-derived benefits, the FileMaker Web
Server Connector lets you:
1
organize and configure the sharing of databases
1
host by multiple, separate installations of FileMaker Pro 5 Unlimited
1
configure the sharing of databases by host or by database
1
detect when the Web Companion on one machine is not responding,
and redirect requests to the next available machine in a RAIC
Configurations
Many different configurations are possible with the Web Server
Connector. In some cases, you can combine elements of several
configurations to meet your needs.
When used in a RAIC, the performance of the Web Server Connector
has been optimized for use with up to five RAIC machines. You can
continue to see performance gains beyond this number, but the
benefits of adding machines will be less significant.
Configuration 1: FileMaker Pro 5 Unlimited on a
single machine
In this configuration, one or more databases are hosted on a single
machine. FileMaker Pro 5 Unlimited acts as a web server and
database host using its built-in Web Companion plug-in.
Web
Browser
Web
Browser
Web
Browser
Web
Browser
FileMaker Pro 5
Unlimited CPU
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