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Mac OS X Server

 
Computer Desktop Encyclopedia: Mac OS X Server
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The server version of the Mac OS X operating system. Introduced in 1999, it includes the Apache Web server along with a mail server, file server, Wiki server and podcast publisher. It also includes tools for centrally managing all the users' machines in the network. The OS X Server versions follow in step with the Mac operating system "animals:" Panther, Tiger, Leopard, etc. See Mac OS X.

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Wikipedia: Mac OS X Server
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Mac OS X Server
Leopard Server 10.6.png
Screenshot of Snow Leopard Server
Company / developer Apple Inc.
OS family UNIX/Mac OS X/Darwin/NEXTSTEP
Working state Current
Source model Closed source (Darwin foundation is open source)
Latest stable release 10.6.2 / 9 November 2009
Supported platforms x86, x86-64
Kernel type Hybrid kernel
Default user interface Aqua
License Apple Public Source License / Apple EULA
Website Apple - Mac OS X Server

Mac OS X Server is a UNIX server operating system from Apple. The platform is based on the same architecture as Mac OS X, but includes additional services, applications, and administration tools for managing users and services and for deploying servers and clients. The server operating system is included on Xserve, a rack mount server designed by Apple. It is also available preinstalled on the Mac mini and Mac Pro and is sold separately for use on any Macintosh computer meeting its minimum requirements. Mac OS X Server is commonly found in small business, education, and large enterprise organizations.

Contents

Overview

Mac OS X Server is a server operating system which enables organizations to collaborate, communicate, and share information. It is based on an open source foundation called Darwin and uses open industry standards and protocols.

Mac OS X Server includes services and applications for file sharing, sharing contact information and calendars, schedule events, send secure instant messages, conduct live video conferences, send and receive email, contribute to and comment in wikis, publish a companywide blog, produce and distribute podcasts, and set up websites.

Versions

Mac OS X Server 1.0 (Rhapsody)

Main article: Mac OS X Server 1.0

The first version of Mac OS X was Mac OS X Server 1.0. Mac OS X Server 1.0 was based on Rhapsody 5.3, a hybrid of OPENSTEP from NeXT Computer and Mac OS 8.5.1. The GUI looked like a mixture of Mac OS 8's Platinum appearance with OPENSTEP's NeXT-based interface. It included a runtime layer called Blue Box for running legacy Mac OS-based applications within a separate window. There was discussion of implementing a 'transparent blue box' which would intermix Mac OS applications with those written for Rhapsody's Yellow Box environment, but this would not happen until Mac OS X's Classic environment. Apple File Services, Macintosh Manager, QuickTime Streaming Server, WebObjects and NetBoot was included with Mac OS X Server 1.0.

Mac OS X Server 10.0 (Cheetah Server)

Released: May 21, 2001

Mac OS X Server 10.0 included the new Aqua user interface, Apache, PHP, MySQL, Tomcat, WebDAV support, Macintosh Manager and NetBoot.

Mac OS X Server 10.1 (Puma Server)

Wiki letter w.svg
 Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (February 2009)

Released: September 25, 2001

Mac OS X Server 10.2 (Jaguar Server)

Released: August 23, 2002

The 10.2 Mac OS X Server release includes updated Open Directory user and file management, which with this release is based on LDAP, beginning the deprecation of the NeXT-originated NetInfo architecture. The new Workgroup Manager interface improved configuration significantly. The release also saw major updates to NetBoot and NetInstall. Many common network services are provided such as NTP, SNMP, web server (Apache), mail server (Postfix and Cyrus), LDAP (OpenLDAP), AFP, and print server. The inclusion of Samba version 3 allows tight integration with Windows clients and servers. MySQL v4.0.16 and PHP v4.3.7 are also included.

Mac OS X Server 10.3 (Panther Server)

Released: October 24, 2003

The 10.3 Mac OS X Server release includes updated Open Directory user and file management, which with this release is based on LDAP, beginning the deprecation of the NeXT-originated NetInfo architecture. The new Workgroup Manager interface improved configuration significantly. Many common network services are provided such as NTP, SNMP, web server (Apache), mail server (Postfix and Cyrus), LDAP (OpenLDAP), AFP, and print server. The inclusion of Samba version 3 allows tight integration with Windows clients and servers. MySQL v4.0.16 and PHP v4.3.7 are also included.

Mac OS X Server 10.4 (Tiger Server)

Released: April 29, 2005

The 10.4 release adds 64-bit application support, Access Control Lists, Xgrid, link aggregation, e-mail spam filtering (SpamAssassin), virus detection (ClamAV), Gateway Setup Assistant, and servers for Software Update, iChat Server using XMPP,[1] and weblogs.

On August 10, 2006 Apple announced the first Universal Binary release of Mac OS X Server, version 10.4.7, supporting both PowerPC and Intel processors. At the same time Apple announced the release of the Intel-based Mac Pro and Xserve systems.

Mac OS X Server 10.5 (Leopard Server)

The OS X Leopard Server running Server Admin.

Released: October 26, 2007

Features

  • Simplified Setup. The redesigned Server Assistant steps you through configuration of key server applications, networking settings, and user accounts. Once setup is complete, the new Server Preferences application allows you to manage key services. A new Server Status Dashboard widget provides at-a-glance information on the status of services, as well as on disk space and CPU use.
  • Podcast Producer. An end-to-end solution for producing professional-quality podcasts is ideal for product training, sales presentations, university lectures, or employee updates. With the Podcast Capture application in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, users can capture audio and video, record onscreen actions, or submit existing QuickTime content to the server. Once the content is uploaded, Podcast Producer in Leopard Server automatically publishes it in formats optimized for playback on almost any device, from HD video to iPod, iPhone, or Apple TV.
  • Wiki Server. With Leopard Server users can create collaborative web pages, called wikis, complete with group calendar, blog, and mailing list archive. With the wiki server members can create blog entries, tag and cross-reference material, upload files and images, add comments, and perform keyword searches. Wiki server maintains the complete history, so you can always revert to a previous version of any page.
  • iCal Server. Leopard Server includes a calendaring platform that makes it easy for individuals and groups to share calendars, coordinate events, schedule meetings and reserve resources. iCal Server was the first commercial calendar server to support the open CalDAV standard.
  • Spotlight Server. Designed for workgroups with shared documents, projects, and file archives. It works with Mac OS X Leopard clients to search content stored on shared volumes across the entire network. Spotlight Server works with the Quick Look and Cover Flow features in Leopard to scan though files—without needing to open them.
  • Infrastructure enhancements. With the release of Leopard Server, Mac OS X Server is now an Open Brand UNIX 03 Registered Product conforming to the SUSv3 and POSIX 1003.1 specifications for the C API, Shell Utilities, and Threads. Mac OS X Server can compile and run all existing UNIX 03-compliant code. Many services in Leopard Server—including Apache 2, MySQL 5, Postfix, Podcast Producer, and QuickTime Streaming Server—are 64-bit, able to take maximum advantage of the processing power and addressable memory of 64-bit system hardware. Leopard Server is also 32-bit compatible, 32-bit and 64-bit applications can run side by side, both at native performance.

Mac OS X Server 10.6 (Snow Leopard Server)

Released: August 28, 2009

Snow Leopard Server sells for a retail price of $499 and includes unlimited client licenses.

New Features:

  • Full 64-bit operating system. On appropriate systems with 4GB of RAM or more, Snow Leopard Server uses a 64-bit kernel to address up to a theoretical 16TB of RAM.[2]
  • iCal Server 2 with improved CalDAV support, a new web calendaring application, push notifications and the ability to send email invitations to non-iCal users.
  • Address Book Server provides a central location for users to store and access personal contacts across multiple Macs and synchronized iPhones. Based on the CardDAV protocol standard.
  • A new Mail Server engine that supports push email so users receive immediate access to new messages.
  • Podcast Producer 2 with dual-source video support. Also includes a new Podcast Composer application to automate the production process, making it simple to create podcasts with a customized, consistent look and feel. Podcast Composer creates a workflow to add titles, transitions and effects, save to a desired format and share to wikis, blogs, iTunes, iTunes U, Final Cut Server or Podcast Library.
  • Mobile Access Server enables iPhone and Mac users to access secured network services, including corporate websites, online business applications, email, calendars and contacts. Without requiring additional software, Mobile Access Server acts as a reverse proxy server and provides SSL encryption and authentication between the user’s iPhone or Mac and a private network.


Box artwork for Mac OS X Server versions 10.1-10.6

Server Admin Tools

Mac OS X Server comes with a variety of configuration tools that can be installed on non-server Macs as well:

System requirements

System requirements for Mac OS X Server 10.5 are as follows:

Requirements
Processor Mac server or desktop computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor
Memory 1GB of physical RAM
Hard Drive 20GB of available disk space

System requirements for Mac OS X Server 10.6 are as follows:[3]

Requirements
Processor Intel processor
Memory 2GB of physical RAM
Hard Drive 10GB of available disk space

Technical Specifications

File and Print Services

Directory Services and Authentication

Mail Services

Calendaring

Web Hosting

Collaboration Services

Application Servers

Media Streaming

Client Management

Networking and VPN

Distributed Computing

High-Availability Features

File Systems

Management Features

  • Server Assistant
  • Server Admin
  • Server Preferences
  • Server Status widget
  • Workgroup Manager
  • System Image Utility
  • Secure Shell (SSH2)
  • Server Monitor
  • RAID Utility
  • SNMPv3 (Net-SNMP)
10.5 10.5.1 10.5.2 10.5.3 10.5.4 10.5.5 10.5.6
PHP 5.2.4 5.2.? 5.2.? 5.2.? 5.2.5 ? 5.2.6
MySQL 5.0.45 5.0.45 5.0.45 5.0.45 5.0.45 ? 5.0.67
Apache 2.2.6 2.2.? 2.2.? 2.2.? 2.2.8 ? 2.2.9

Languages

Mac OS X Server is available in the following languages:[4]

Resources

References

  1. ^ Apple
  2. ^ "Apple - Mac OS X Server Snow Leopard - 64-bit Computing". http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/technology/sixtyfour-bit.html. Retrieved 2009-08-26. 
  3. ^ "Mac OS X Server - Technical Specifications". 8 June 2009. http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/specs.html. Retrieved 2009-10-16. 
  4. ^ http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/specs.html
  5. ^ Mac OS X Server Documentation
  6. ^ Mac OS X Server Technology Briefs
  7. ^ Mac OS X Server Security Guides

External links

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