I’m curious to know how you implement Mac360 on OS X Server. What versions of PHP, MySQL and other apps are you using, as I noticed a few things on the Mac360 site that don’t normall come with vanilla OS X or Server.
I manage a number of Linux servers, Windows servers, and a few older Mac servers for the State of Georgia.
Sorry for the lengthy delay, Jeffrey. It’s been busy over here. Kate’s got me tweakin’ the tweaks.
The setup is rather straightforward. We’re using a stock implementation of Mac OS X Server, Apache, the updated 4.x version of MySQL, and a custom version of PHP by Marc Liyanage. We use his version as he compiles the GD libraries, and Apple does not. For tracking we use Urchin, which is awesome compared to just about any log server analysis tool I’ve used. Too bad they were bought by Google. The good news is that Urchin hasn’t changed since the purchase. The bad news is that Urchin hasn’t changed. No updates. Nothing. You can’t even buy Urchin anymore.
As you probably know already, OS X Server is a pleasure to set up and run. With just a few “tweak” exceptions here and there, almost everything is handled via point and click, including remote administration. I manage Linux servers, too. On web serving and MySQL applications, Linux servers tend to be faster than Mac OS X, though I can’t compare the latest Intel Macs as they don’t support Server yet, so I haven’t ventured there.
Give me a PM and let me know what set up you have there.
My school has two new Intel Xserves which we use for mail, web server, authentication, QuickTime server, and internal instant messaging and video conferencing via iChat server.
These boxes are easy to setup, and mostly intuitive for server functions, especially web and mail. Our school has about a 50-50 split between Mac and Windows PCs with a couple of Linux servers here and there; mostly older PCs that have been converted to Linux.
Do you plan to migrate your severs to OS X Leopard Server?
Do you plan to upgrade your servers to Intel Macs?
It seems to me that for simple web sites, OS X Server is overkill, as vanilla OS X has Apache, PHP, and MySQL is free. The only advantage to Server would be the admin tools. That’s the overkill.
Wil, as you know, we moved the Mac360 site to an Apple Xserve, but I still managed a couple of servers here. They’re both the original cheapie Mac mini base models. I plan to add an Intel Mac mini once Leopard Server is available.
I read an article this morning about Apple moving OS X to the next generation iPod. That means OS X is on the Mac, the iPhone, AppleTV, and now, or soon, the iPod.
Obviously there are GUI differences between the versions. What differences would there be under the hood? Is it still the same core for all versions?
I think there are actually many differences...not sure what they are exactly, but the processing power of the stuff is vastly different so the os must be streamlined.
Wil, as you know, we moved the Mac360 site to an Apple Xserve, but I still managed a couple of servers here. They’re both the original cheapie Mac mini base models. I plan to add an Intel Mac mini once Leopard Server is available.
I do sys admin work on Macs for a school near Chicago. We have Xserves for Tiger Server, and then many iMacs, eMacs, some Mac mini’s, and a few PowerMacs and MacPros here and there, and, of course, many PCs. It’s about a 50-50 mix between Mac and PC.
I can tell you from experience that Macs are easier to administrate with OS X Server than PCs are to administrate using Windows. Our Mac admin staff (sys admins, trainers, etc.) is less than half the size of the PC group, and they’re constantly working on broken machines. Even adding Vista didn’t help. There’s fewer viruses, but admin is complicated, and now there’s some kind of networking bug in Vista which slows the PCs to a crawl.
Meanwhile, our Macs just keep going, and going, and going…
Do you plan to migrate your severs to OS X Leopard Server?
Do you plan to upgrade your servers to Intel Macs?
It seems to me that for simple web sites, OS X Server is overkill, as vanilla OS X has Apache, PHP, and MySQL is free. The only advantage to Server would be the admin tools. That’s the overkill.
I’m not the geekiest among the felines at Mac360, but I’d be interested in setting up a Mac mini as a server here at home. I have DSL. Do I need a static IP address?
I would think you would. If you don’t your server address would keep changing. It would sort of depend on your ISPs DHCP license policy, but in any case if you lost poer to your server at any time the chances of getting your ip back is slim.
I’m not the geekiest among the felines at Mac360, but I’d be interested in setting up a Mac mini as a server here at home. I have DSL. Do I need a static IP address?.
That depends. If your intent is to have a server that is for the exclusive use within your home the answer is no. You do not need a static IP from your ISP. Usually in the home you have a DSL or Cable connection and an ISP supplied router. Often your ISP will restrict you to 1 IP DHCP assigned IP address unless you pay extra $$ per month. A good way around this, as we all know, is to connect to a router, often a wireless router, and have it give out IP addresses. For example I use an Airport base station. My Server is connected to a switch that is in turn connected to the Airport which is connected to the Cable modem. Sounds easy right! All my wired and wireless machines can see my server using and if you use the machine afp name you won’t need to worry should that internal IP address ever change.
Now…
If you want to access your server from another location you need to give it more thought. First, in the case of the Airport and most other routers (wired or wireless) you can set static IP addresses and port forward to those addresses. This means that when the Airport gets a WAN request on port, say 594, it will forward that to the address you specify, in this case your server. But how will we know what our external ISP IP address is! There are a number of tools and sites that can track that for you. I use BwanaDik, don’t ask me about the name!
This little tool when installed on your server will update you via email of any change to your external or internal IP address! There are also free services that will do this for you as well. Do a google search for Dynamic IP forwarding and a bunch will show up.
I’ve had a server in the basement for as long as I can remember and no matter where I am I can mount the server volume or connect via Remote Desktop and I don’t have a static IP address. Wish I did but it can be done!
The new dual core Mac mini’s make for a very good server using Tiger or Leopard, especially if you require easier to use administration functions.
Somewhere on Macworld I read of benchmarks which showed the Core 2 Duo Mac mini’s to be a little faster in some functions that older PowerMac G5’s with dual CPU’s. We’ve come that far, that fast.
I’m extremely new to the list. I’m not sure if this is appropriate for this thread but the topic title of Mac360 set up OS X server key worded a question.
How many users on Mac360 work with Macs in education or Mac systems administrators in education?
I am always interested in learning how schools place their Xservers into production, how they manage them, and solutions they may have come up with. Working in education and IT is a proverbial horse of a different color than most corporate shops.
It would also be great to get to know other Mac users too. I’m a little isolated out here in eastern New Mexico.
