Setting up the container data folders
If databases located in an additional database folder use
container fields that store objects externally, you can specify a folder for that external container field data. You can also decide whether to back up the
container data folder.
To specify the container data folders:
1. Select Enable container data folder 1.
2. For path, enter the full path with the location of the folder. The maximum length of the path is 255 characters.
• Windows: The path must start with filewin:/ and end with a slash (/).
For example, filewin:/driveLetter:/folderName/
• OS X: The path must start with filemac:/ and end with a slash (/).
For example, filemac:/volumeName/folderName/
The container field objects for each database need to be in a folder identified by that database’s name. See
Place the externally stored container field objects in the proper location.
3. Select
Back up container data folder 1 if you want the container folder backed up during scheduled backups. See
Understanding backup options for more information.
4. To specify a folder for a second additional database folder, repeat the steps above for folder 2.
Important Selecting Back up container data folder 1 and Back up container data folder 2 settings can impact database performance. In addition, if you specify a container folder that is located on a network, it can impact the network’s performance.
5. Click Validate to ensure that the paths you entered are correct.
When the path is found to be valid, the label changes from “Not a valid path” to “Valid path”. If the path is not valid, see
Tips for valid folders.
6. Click Save.
Note When you set up or change the container data folders, FileMaker Server doesn’t automatically copy container file objects to these folders. You must copy the files manually.
Notes
• A container folder cannot be a parent or a subfolder of the default database folder, the backup folder, the progressive backup folder, or the Scripts folder.
• After you upload databases to an additional database folder and open the databases, you can’t clear the Enable container data folder 1 and Enable container data folder 2 checkbox or change that additional database folder path. If you want to stop using that additional database folder, you must first close all the databases in the folder, then clear the checkboxes. If you change container folder, you must manually move the data from the old folder to the new folder, then select the location of the new folder.
• If you change the container folder, you must manually move the data in the old folder to the new folder. After doing this, enter the new path.
• If you enable an additional database folder and select that additional database folder as the group folder for an administrator group, you cannot clear the
checkbox for that additional database folder. If you want to stop using that additional database folder, you must first change the group folder for the administrator group. For more information, see
Adding administrator groups.