Mac OS X Server

Mac OS X Server

Screenshot of Snow Leopard Server
Company / developer	Apple Inc.
OS family	UNIX/Mac OS X/ Darwin/NEXTSTEP
Working state	Current
Source model	Open source (Darwin foundation is open source)
Latest stable release	10.6.6 / 6 January 2011; 43 days ago[1][2]
Supported platforms	x86, x86-64
Kernel type	Hybrid kernel
Default user interface	Aqua
License	Apple Public Source License / Apple EULA
Official website	Apple - Mac OS X Server

Mac OS X Server is a Unix^[3] server operating system from Apple Inc. The server edition of Mac OS X is architecturally identical to its desktop counterpart, except that it includes work group management and administration software tools. These tools provide simplified access to key network services, including a mail transfer agent, AFP and SMB servers, an LDAP server, a domain name server, and others. Also included (particularly in later versions) are numerous additional services and the tools to manage them, such as web server, wiki server, chat server, calendar server, and many others.

Mac OS X Server is the operating system of Xserve computers, rack mounted server computers designed by Apple. Also, it is optionally preinstalled on the Mac mini and Mac Pro and is sold separately for use on any Macintosh computer meeting its minimum requirements.

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)

The first version of Mac OS X was Mac OS X Server 1.0. Mac OS X Server 1.0 - 1.2v3 were based on Rhapsody, 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 were included with Mac OS X Server 1.0 - 1.2v3

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)

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,^[4] Boot Camp Assistant, Dashboard 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)

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.

• RADIUS Server. Leopard Server includes FreeRADIUS for network authentication. It ships with support for wireless access stations however can be modified into a fully functioning FreeRADIUS server.^[5]

• PHP, MySQL, Apache, and BIND versions:

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.^[6]

• 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.

• Wiki Server 2, with server side Quick Look and the ability to view wiki content on iPhone.

• A new Mail server engine that supports push email so users receive immediate access to new messages. However, Apple's implementation of push email is not supported for Apple's iPhone.

• 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.

• PHP, MySQL, Apache, and BIND versions:

Server Admin Tools

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

• Server Admin
• Server Preferences (application)
• Server Assistant
• Server Monitor
• System Image Utility
• Workgroup Manager
• Xgrid Admin

System requirements

System requirements for Mac OS X Server 10.4 are as follows:

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

System requirements for Mac OS X Server 10.6 are as follows:^[7]

Technical specifications

File and Print Services Mac (AFP, AppleTalk PAP, IPP) Windows (SMB/CIFS, IPP) Unix-like systems (NFS, LPR/LPD, IPP) Internet (FTP, WebDAV) Directory Services and Authentication Open Directory (OpenLDAP, Kerberos, SASL) NT Domain Services (Samba 3) Backup Domain Controller (BDC) LDAP directory connector Active Directory connector BSD configuration files (/etc) RADIUS Mail Services SMTP (Postfix) POP and IMAP (Dovecot) SSL/TLS encryption (OpenSSL) Mailing lists (Mailman) Webmail (SquirrelMail) Junk mail filtering (SpamAssassin) Virus detection (ClamAV) Calendaring iCal Server (CalDAV, iTIP, iMIP) Web Hosting Apache web server (2.2 and 1.3) SSL/TLS (OpenSSL) WebDAV Perl (5.8.8), PHP (5.2), Ruby (1.8.6), Rails (1.2.3) MySQL 5 Capistrano, Mongrel

Collaboration Services Wiki Server (RSS) iChat Server 2 (XMPP) Application Servers Apache Tomcat (6) Java SE virtual machine WebObjects Deployment (5.4) Apache Axis (SOAP) Media Streaming QuickTime Streaming Server 6 QuickTime Broadcaster 1.5 Client Management Managed Preferences NetBoot NetInstall Software Update Server Portable home directories Networking and VPN DNS server (BIND 9) DHCP server NAT server VPN server (L2TP/IPSec, PPTP) Firewall (IPFW2) NTP

Distributed Computing Xgrid 2 High-Availability Features Automatic recovery File system journaling IP failover Software RAID Disk space monitor File Systems HFS+ (journaled, case sensitive and case insensitive) FAT NTFS (write support only available on Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server) UFS (read-only) 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)

Languages

Mac OS X Server is available in the following languages:^[8]

Resources

• Mac OS X Server Documentation^[9]
• Technology Briefs^[10]
• Security Guides^[11]

References

• Krypted.com Mac OS X Server Tutorials

External links

• Apple - Mac OS X Server
• Official feedback page
• Apple Developer - Mac OS X Server
• Apple Introduces Mac OS X Server - Apple press release
• Major Mac OS X Server v10.1 Update Now Available - Apple press release
• Apple Announces Mac OS X Server “Jaguar”, World’s Easiest-to-Manage UNIX-Based Server Software - Apple press release
• Apple Announces Mac OS X Server “Panther” - Apple press release
• Apple Announces Mac OS X Server “Tiger” - Apple press release
• Apple Announces New Mac OS X Server "Leopard" Features - Apple press release
• Apple Introduces Mac OS X Server Snow Leopard - Apple press release