FileMaker Deployment Options

After a database application has been developed in FileMaker Pro, it can be deployed in a variety of ways, and on a variety of operating systems. FileMaker Pro 7 runs on Mac OS X 10.2 or later and on Microsoft Windows 2000 or later. The following sections describe different ways to configure a FileMaker database system deployment.

Single User

Many people get their start in FileMaker development by building a small application for their personal use. Although FileMaker Pro is inherently a networkable application, there's nothing wrong with a single user working with a system on his or her computer.

Peer-to-Peer Hosting

The next stage in a typical system evolution is that other people notice the system that a single person made, and they want to use it also. It's a simple matter to enable FileMaker Network Sharing on a file, and after that's been done, other FileMaker users can become guests of one user's shared file. This kind of FileMaker hosting is called peer-to-peer because the database host and the database clients are all using the same application ”desktop versions of FileMaker Pro.

You should keep some considerations in mind with this type of hosting. Only 5 files at a time can be hosted on a single machine this way. Up to 10 users can be guests of a file hosted in this fashion. Another consideration is that if you're the host of a file, you can't close the file while other users are working with it.

FileMaker Server Hosting

If a FileMaker database needs to be shared by multiple FileMaker users, using FileMaker Server is the best way to host it. FileMaker Server is optimized for hosting, and it can host more files (125) to more users (250) than FileMaker Pro can. It has several other features that make it a better database host. You can remotely administer the server, create schedules for automated database backups , set the server to encrypt the network traffic between the server and the clients, and log server actions.

For more information about hosting database files with FileMaker Server, see Chapter 25, "FileMaker Server," p. 737 .

FileMaker Server Advanced Hosting

FileMaker Server Advanced can host files for FileMaker users just as FileMaker Server can, but it can also allow ODBC/JDBC clients to access hosted files. ODBC/JDBC count against the 250 user limit. FileMaker Server Advanced can also act as a Web host, allowing up to an additional 100 user connections for Web clients.

For more information about hosting database files for ODBC/JDBC access, see Chapter 20, "Getting Data Out of FileMaker," p. 563 .

Kiosk Mode

Using FileMaker Developer, you can configure FileMaker databases to run without the menu bar. This mode is called kiosk mode , and it's ideal for information or data entry kiosks . Some extra programming is required because the menu items are no longer available in this mode. If you want the user to be able to search or make new records, scripts and buttons have to be created to make up for the lost menu functionality.

Extending the Functionality of FileMaker Pro

Your deployment can be enhanced by incorporating plug-ins that extend the functionality of FileMaker Pro. Certain specialized math functions such as those used in financial services or chemistry are not standard in FileMaker's function list. Developers can create custom plug-ins to add these functions to FileMaker's repertoire . Some plug-in developers have gone way beyond math functions to create plug-ins that talk to the serial port or authenticate credit card transactions or even work with biometric devices to authenticate users by their thumb prints.

For a list of Web sites that list available FileMaker plug-ins, see Appendix A, "Additional Resources," p. 799 .