Networking

Backing Up FileMaker Server

• See also: Set up External Backups for FileMaker Server 

• See also: Backing Up with 360 Works SafetyNet

Built-in Backups

• FrameReady includes backup capabilities; we recommend you use them exclusively.

• There are two types of FrameReady setups: Single Computer users and FileMaker Server users.

  • Single Computer setups use the manual "Backup Now" feature in FrameReady.

  • FileMaker Server setups use the scheduled backup tools in the FileMaker Server admin console.

Before You Begin

These steps are very important to keep your FrameReady in good, working order.

If you must use a third-party backup solution...

• then you must also exclude the FrameReady folder from all backups it makes. Failing to do so will likely result in damaged database files, lost or conflicting data.

If you are using Time Machine on your Mac...

• then you must exclude the FrameReady folder from all backups it makes. Failing to do so will likely result in damaged database files, lost or conflicting data.

If you are using Anti-Virus software on your computer...

• then you must also exclude the FrameReady folder from its scanning activity. Failing to do so will likely result in damaged database files, lost or conflicting data.

In conclusion...

• Use the built-in backup feature in the FileMaker Server Admin Console to backup the FrameReady folder.

• Do not allow other backup software to backup the live FrameReady folder.

How to Backup FileMaker Server

Important: Do not use third-party backup software on hosted FileMaker Pro databases. Backup software can damage open, hosted databases.

Insteaad, first use FileMaker Server to make a backup copy of your database, then run your third-party backup software on the copy.

Make sure that the folder(s) containing the live FrameReady database files are excluded from the third-party backup software.

 

1. On the server computer, open the FileMaker Server Admin Console.
   
   See: Opening the FileMaker Server Admin Console

2. Open the Backups tab.

3. By default, daily backups cover the past 7 days. Depending on the size of your FrameReady files, this may require several GB of storage.

4. By default, the backup folders are located:
   
   Windows:
   C:/Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Server/Data/Backups/
   
   macOS:
   Macintosh HD/Library/FileMaker Server/Data/Backups

5. By default, the backup will be verified for integrity after the files have been copied.

6. By default, the backup time will be set for 12:00pm each day (the server computer and software must be running for this feature).

7. By default, email notifications about the status of the backup will not be enabled.

Tip: We recommend enabling email notifications as it can alert you to potential problems.

Notes:

• Each daily backup is stored in a folder with a name similar to this: Daily_2016-12-25_2300

• The format can be read as: Daily_[YYYY]-[MM]-[DD]-[HH00]

Using Cloud Backup Services

• You may point your cloud backup service to watch this folder:
  
  Windows:
  C:/Program Files/FileMaker/FileMaker Server/Data/Backups/
  
  macOS:
  Macintosh HD/Library/FileMaker Server/Data/Backups

• Depending on the size of your FrameReady files, this may require several GB of storage.

Do not enable incremental backups as these only store the changes and not the entire database. Doing so can make recovery more troublesome.

Do not point your cloud backup solution to watch or backup the live database files or folder. Doing so can result in file corruption and data loss.

 

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