A Comprehensive Guide

Jacob Taylor, May 8, 2023, FileMaker Training Videos

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Prerequisites
  • System Requirements
  • Software Requirements
  • Preparing Your macOS Environment
• Downloading FileMaker Server 2023
  • Accessing the Claris Customer Console
  • Downloading the Installer
• Installing FileMaker Server 2023
  • Step 1: Launching the Installer
  • Step 2: Accepting the License Agreement
  • Step 3: Choosing the Installation Type
  • Step 4: Configuring User Information
  • Step 5: Setting the Admin Console Credentials
  • Step 6: Selecting the Installation Location
  • Step 7: Completing the Installation
• Post-Installation Configuration
  • Accessing the Admin Console
  • Uploading the License Certificate
  • Configuring SSL Certificates
  • Setting Up Backups
  • Adjusting Cache Settings
• Enabling Web Publishing and WebDirect
  • Installing Java (Amazon Corretto 17)
  • Configuring the Web Publishing Engine
• Advanced Configuration
  • Configuring Scheduled Scripts
  • Managing Plugins
  • External Authentication
  • Configuring Security Settings
• Troubleshooting and Maintenance
  • Common Issues and Solutions
  • Updating FileMaker Server
  • Uninstalling FileMaker Server
• Conclusion
• References

Introduction

FileMaker Server 2023 is a robust and scalable server software designed to host and manage your FileMaker solutions securely and efficiently. Installing it on macOS requires careful attention to system requirements and detailed steps to ensure optimal performance. This comprehensive guide walks you through the entire process of installing FileMaker Server 2023 on macOS, from preparation to advanced configuration.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure that your Mac meets the necessary hardware and software requirements.

System Requirements

• Operating System: macOS Monterey 12.x or macOS Ventura 13.x
• Processor: Apple Silicon (M1 or M2) or Intel-based Mac with 4 or more cores
• Memory (RAM): Minimum 8 GB (16 GB or more recommended)
• Storage: SSD with at least 80 GB free space
• Network: Ethernet connection recommended for server environments

Software Requirements

• Java: Amazon Corretto 17 (OpenJDK 17)
• Web Server: Built-in macOS Apache (configured by the FileMaker Server installer)
• FileMaker License Certificate: LicenseCert.fmcert file provided by Claris

Preparing Your macOS Environment

• Administrative Access: Ensure you have administrator privileges on your Mac.
• System Updates: Update macOS to the latest version to ensure compatibility and security.
  • How to Update:
    1. Click on the Apple menu () and select System Preferences.
    2. Click Software Update.
    3. Install any available updates and restart your Mac if prompted.

Downloading FileMaker Server 2023

Accessing the Claris Customer Console

1. Log In:
   • Visit the Claris Customer Console.
   • Log in using your Claris ID credentials.

Downloading the Installer

1. Navigate to Downloads:
   • Once logged in, click on Downloads or Software Downloads.
2. Select FileMaker Server 2023 for macOS:
   • Find the appropriate version for macOS and click Download.
3. Save the Installer:
   • Save the FileMakerServer-20.1.1.dmg file to a known location on your Mac, such as the Downloads folder.

Installing FileMaker Server 2023

Step 1: Launching the Installer

1. Locate the Installer:
   • Open Finder and navigate to the location where you saved the installer.
2. Mount the Disk Image:
   • Double-click the FileMakerServer-20.1.1.dmg file to mount the disk image.
3. Open the Installer Package:
   • In the mounted disk image window, double-click the FileMaker Server 20.1.1.pkg installer package.

Step 2: Accepting the License Agreement

1. Introduction Screen:
   • Click Continue to proceed.
2. License Agreement:
   • Read the Software License Agreement carefully.
   • Click Continue, then Agree when prompted.

Step 3: Choosing the Installation Type

1. Select Destination:
   • Choose the disk where you want to install FileMaker Server (typically your main hard drive).
   • Click Continue.
2. Installation Type:
   • Click Install to perform a standard installation.
   • If you wish to customize the installation, click Customize to select specific components.

Step 4: Configuring User Information

1. User Information:
   • Name: Enter your full name.
   • Organization: Enter your organization or company name.
   • License Key: If prompted, enter your FileMaker Server license key.
   • Click Continue.

Step 5: Setting the Admin Console Credentials

1. Admin Console Account:
   • User Name: The default is admin. You can change this if desired.
   • Password: Enter a strong password for the Admin Console.
   • Confirm Password: Re-enter the password.
2. PIN Code:
   • PIN: Set a 4-digit PIN code for password recovery on the local machine.
   • Confirm PIN: Re-enter the PIN code.
   • Click Continue.

Step 6: Selecting the Installation Location

1. Standard Install Location:
   • The default installation path is /Library/FileMaker Server/.
   • If you wish to change it, click Change Install Location.
   • Click Install.

Step 7: Completing the Installation

1. Authentication:
   • Enter your macOS administrator username and password when prompted.
   • Click Install Software.
2. Installation Progress:
   • Wait while the installer copies files and configures the system.
   • This may take several minutes.
3. Finish Installation:
   • Once completed, you will see a confirmation message.
   • Click Close to exit the installer.
4. Keep or Discard the Installer:
   • You can choose to Keep the installer for future use or Move to Trash.

Post-Installation Configuration

Accessing the Admin Console

1. Launch Admin Console:
   • Open a web browser (Safari, Chrome, or Firefox).
   • Navigate to https://localhost:16000/admin-console or https://<your_server_ip_or_hostname>/admin-console.
2. Security Warning:
   • You may receive a security warning about the SSL certificate.
   • Proceed by clicking Advanced and then Proceed to localhost.
3. Log In:
   • Enter the Admin Console User Name and Password you set during installation.
   • Click Sign In.

Uploading the License Certificate

1. Access License Management:
   • In the Admin Console, go to Configuration > Licenses.
2. Upload License Certificate:
   • Click Add License Certificate.
   • Click Choose File and select your LicenseCert.fmcert file.
   • Click Open, then Upload.
3. Confirm License Details:
   • Verify that your license information is correct.

Configuring SSL Certificates

1. Obtain an SSL Certificate:
   • Purchase an SSL certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
2. Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR):
   • In the Admin Console, navigate to Configuration > SSL Certificates.
   • Click Create New Certificate Request.
   • Fill in the required information and generate the CSR.
3. Submit CSR to CA:
   • Provide the CSR to your chosen CA to obtain the SSL certificate.
4. Import SSL Certificate:
   • Once you receive the certificate, return to the Admin Console.
   • Click Import Certificate.
   • Upload the certificate and any intermediate certificates.
5. Restart Server:
   • Restart the FileMaker Server services to apply the new SSL certificate.

Setting Up Backups

1. Navigate to Backup Schedules:
   • In the Admin Console, go to Configuration > Schedules.
2. Create a New Backup Schedule:
   • Click Create a Schedule.
   • Type: Select Backup.
3. Configure Backup Settings:
   • Name: Enter a descriptive name (e.g., “Hourly Backup”).
   • Frequency: Set how often backups occur (e.g., hourly, daily).
   • Start Time: Choose when the backup should start.
   • Repeat: Set the backup to repeat as needed.
   • Keep: Specify how many backups to retain.
   • Destination: Choose the backup folder location.
4. Enable Progressive Backups (Optional):
   • For continuous data protection, enable Progressive Backups under Configuration > Database Server > Backup.
5. Save the Schedule:
   • Review your settings and click Save.

Adjusting Cache Settings

By default, FileMaker Server allocates 512 MB of memory for caching. For better performance, especially with larger databases or more users, you may need to increase this value.

1. Open Terminal:
   • Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
2. Check Current Cache Size:
   • Run the command:shellCopy codefmsadmin get serverconfig
   • Enter your Admin Console username and password when prompted.
3. Set New Cache Size:
   • To set the cache size to, for example, 2048 MB (2 GB), run:shellCopy codefmsadmin set serverconfig cachesize=2048
   • Authenticate when prompted.
4. Confirm the Change:
   • Run fmsadmin get serverconfig again to verify the new cache size.
5. No Restart Required:
   • Changes take effect immediately; no need to restart the server.

Enabling Web Publishing and WebDirect

By default, Web Publishing and WebDirect are not enabled. To use these features, you need to install Java and configure the Web Publishing Engine.

Installing Java (Amazon Corretto 17)

1. Download Amazon Corretto 17:
   • Visit the Amazon Corretto 17 Download page.
   • Select macOS aarch64 (for Apple Silicon) or macOS x64 (for Intel Macs).
2. Install Java:
   • Open the downloaded .pkg file.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
   • Authenticate with your macOS administrator credentials when prompted.

Configuring the Web Publishing Engine

1. Restart FileMaker Server:
   • Open Terminal and run:shellCopy codesudo launchctl stop com.filemaker.fms sudo launchctl start com.filemaker.fms
   • Authenticate with your macOS administrator password.
2. Access Admin Console:
   • Open the Admin Console in your web browser.
3. Enable Web Publishing Engine:
   • Navigate to Configuration > Web Publishing.
   • Toggle Enable Web Publishing Engine to On.
   • Wait for the status to change to Active.
4. Enable WebDirect:
   • In the same section, toggle Enable FileMaker WebDirect to On.
   • Configure Maximum Simultaneous Connections as needed.
5. Test WebDirect:
   • Open a browser and navigate to https://<your_server_ip_or_hostname>/fmi/webd.
   • Verify that the WebDirect launch page loads.

Advanced Configuration

Configuring Scheduled Scripts

1. Prepare Your Script:
   • In FileMaker Pro, create the script you want to schedule.
   • Ensure it can run without user interaction.
2. Upload Your Database:
   • Upload the database containing the script to FileMaker Server.
3. Create a New Schedule:
   • In the Admin Console, go to Configuration > Schedules.
   • Click Create a Schedule.
4. Schedule Details:
   • Type: Select FileMaker Script.
   • Database: Choose the database containing the script.
   • Script: Select the script from the list.
   • Frequency: Configure when and how often the script should run.
5. Specify Account Credentials:
   • Provide the account credentials needed to run the script.
6. Save the Schedule:
   • Review your settings and click Save.

Managing Plugins

FileMaker Server supports server-side plugins for extended functionality.

1. Locate the Plugins Folder:
   • For Server-side Scripts:arduinoCopy code/Library/FileMaker Server/Database Server/Extensions/
   • For Web Publishing Engine:arduinoCopy code/Library/FileMaker Server/Web Publishing/publishing-engine/cwpc/Plugins/
2. Copy Plugins:
   • Place your .fmplugin files into the appropriate folders.
3. Enable Plugins in Admin Console:
   • Navigate to Configuration > Database Server > Plugins.
   • Enable Allow plugins to be installed.
   • Toggle the plugins you want to enable to On.
4. Restart Server:
   • Restart FileMaker Server to load the plugins.

External Authentication

You can configure FileMaker Server to use external authentication providers like Active Directory, Open Directory, or OAuth.

1. Navigate to External Authentication:
   • In Admin Console, go to Configuration > External Authentication.
2. Enable External Authentication:
   • Toggle Enable External Authentication to On.
3. Configure Providers:
   • Add and configure your authentication providers (e.g., Azure AD, Google, Amazon).
4. Map Groups to Privilege Sets:
   • In your FileMaker databases, map external groups to privilege sets.
5. Test Authentication:
   • Verify that users can log in using their external credentials.

Configuring Security Settings

1. Secure Connections:
   • In Admin Console, go to Configuration > Database Server > Security.
   • Enable Require secure connections to enforce SSL/TLS.
2. Host Password-Protected Files Only:
   • Ensure that all hosted files are password-protected.
3. Disable Unused Features:
   • Turn off features you are not using, such as ODBC/JDBC sharing, to reduce attack surface.
4. Set Admin Console Access Restrictions:
   • Under Configuration > Admin Console > Access, restrict access by IP address if needed.

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Common Issues and Solutions

• Cannot Access Admin Console:
  • Ensure that the FileMaker Server processes are running.
  • Check firewall settings to make sure port 16000 is open.
• Web Publishing Engine Fails to Start:
  • Verify that Java (Amazon Corretto 17) is installed.
  • Restart FileMaker Server services after installing Java.
• Plugins Not Loading:
  • Ensure plugins are placed in the correct directories.
  • Confirm that plugins are enabled in the Admin Console.
  • Check that the plugins are compatible with FileMaker Server 2023.

Updating FileMaker Server

1. Check for Updates:
   • Visit the Claris Downloads page for any available updates.
2. Download Updater:
   • Download the appropriate updater for macOS.
3. Install Update:
   • Run the updater package and follow the on-screen instructions.
   • Authenticate with your macOS administrator credentials when prompted.
4. Restart Server:
   • After the update, restart FileMaker Server services.

Uninstalling FileMaker Server

1. Stop FileMaker Server:
   • Open Terminal and run:shellCopy codesudo launchctl stop com.filemaker.fms
   • Authenticate when prompted.
2. Remove Application:
   • Delete the /Library/FileMaker Server/ directory.
3. Remove Startup Items:
   • Remove any related startup items from /Library/LaunchDaemons/.
4. Delete User Data (Optional):
   • Remove any FileMaker Server related files from /Library/Application Support/FileMaker Server/.
5. Restart Your Mac:
   • Reboot to ensure all services are stopped.

Conclusion

Installing FileMaker Server 2023 on macOS is a straightforward process when you follow the detailed steps outlined in this guide. By properly configuring your server, adjusting settings to match your environment, and implementing security best practices, you can ensure a robust and efficient platform for your FileMaker solutions. Regular maintenance and staying updated with the latest versions will help you get the most out of your FileMaker Server deployment.

References

• FileMaker Server 2023 Installation Guide for macOS
• Claris Customer Console
• Amazon Corretto 17 Installation
• Configuring SSL Certificates in FileMaker Server
• FileMaker Server Admin Console Guide
• Managing FileMaker Server Backups