Administrator’s Guide (Mac OS)

Using FileMaker Pro Server 2-3
Important If the database file you’re hosting uses the Today function to
calculate dates, you must close and reopen it each day using the FileMaker Pro
Server application to update the dates correctly. See “Using the Today function
with FileMaker Pro Server” on page 2-26 for more information.
Keep these points in mind when opening FileMaker Pro files for
FileMaker Pro Server to host:
1 Although it’s possible for FileMaker Pro Server to open and host
FileMaker Pro files located on a different computer, avoid doing so. For
optimal performance, put database files you want FileMaker Pro Server
to host on the same computer as the application. The best location for
these files is within the same folder as (or subfolders one level down of)
the FileMaker Pro Server application, to take advantage of the
application’s ability to open all files in these locations when it’s started.
1 After FileMaker Pro Server is running, you can also use FileMaker Pro
(installed on the same computer or remotely across a network) to control
FileMaker Pro Server. See “Using FileMaker Pro to control
FileMaker Pro Server remotely” on page 2-21 for details.
1 FileMaker Pro Server can host FileMaker Pro files created on either the
Mac OS or Windows platform, but the files must reside on the Mac OS
computer. A FileMaker Pro for Windows guest using IPX/SPX or
TCP/IP can access database files opened by FileMaker Pro Server and do the
same tasks as a Mac OS guest. For more information on cross-platform
file sharing, see chapter 7, “Networking and access privileges,” in
FileMaker Pro User’s Guide.
Converting files from earlier versions of FileMaker Pro
FileMaker Pro Server 3.0 can’t open files created with versions of
FileMaker Pro earlier than 3.0. Use the FileMaker Pro 3.0 application to
convert files from earlier versions.
1. Start FileMaker Pro 3.0.
2. Choose Open from the File menu, and select the file you want to convert
in the Open dialog box.