Apple subsidiary FileMaker Inc. noted on Thursday that its free preview of FileMaker Server 7 has begun. The preview includes a pre-release version of FileMaker Server 7, which can be used with the trial or retail versions of FileMaker Pro 7 and FileMaker Developer 7.
FileMaker Server 7 offers the ability to manage and share FileMaker Pro 7 databases over a network. The new release sports a remodeled server architecture that can hold 125 database files; supports multi-server CPUs; leverages high performance storage systems; and runs on Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server, Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 Server. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is supported, and live backups can now be managed without interrupting user database access. External authentication is supported through Active Directory and Open Directory services.
FileMaker Server 7 costs about US$1,000 or about $500 to upgrade. The preview version is free, although it will expire on July 31, 2004.