OS X Server Experiences? How difficult is it to admin?

jdurston · Oct 26th, 2005, 01:19 PM

I work in a small office with about 15 computers, about 10 are Windows and 5 OS X. We have a Windows 2000 file, print and email server. It also serves some Windows programs.
We decided to use one of older dual processor G4’s as a Mac server to co-exist with the Windows server. I would like to set it up as a file server for the entire office and as print server for a few printers (so Windows computers can print too). Initially we were just going to use the standard Tiger OS X and file sharing, but OS X server seems like a much more elegant solution.

A few questions about OS X server:
Do I need to install a special client version of OS X on all the workstations or will the standard Tiger install suffice?
I consider myself pretty capable and familiar with OS X. Will I be able to administer the OS X server on my own in this small network setting? (Just for file and print serving)

I would like everyone to have a good experience with the Mac server, so I don’t want to start in on something that would be over my head.

I would appreciate some input from anyone with direct experience with OS X server.

Thanks,
Josh

mguertin · Oct 26th, 2005, 01:26 PM

It should do everything you need out of the box. OSX server is really easy to administer (it gives you apps to take care of all the sharing management, etc).

You _might_ need to get the unlimited client version but I'm not positive if the 10 client connects apply to both AFP and SMB shares (mac and windows)... you'll want to check with Apple or a supplier on that issue but other than that i think OSX server is the better choice for your needs for sure.

Oct 26th, 2005, 01:19 PM	#1
jdurston Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Waterloo Posts: 1,158	OS X Server Experiences? How difficult is it to admin? I work in a small office with about 15 computers, about 10 are Windows and 5 OS X. We have a Windows 2000 file, print and email server. It also serves some Windows programs. We decided to use one of older dual processor G4’s as a Mac server to co-exist with the Windows server. I would like to set it up as a file server for the entire office and as print server for a few printers (so Windows computers can print too). Initially we were just going to use the standard Tiger OS X and file sharing, but OS X server seems like a much more elegant solution. A few questions about OS X server: Do I need to install a special client version of OS X on all the workstations or will the standard Tiger install suffice? I consider myself pretty capable and familiar with OS X. Will I be able to administer the OS X server on my own in this small network setting? (Just for file and print serving) I would like everyone to have a good experience with the Mac server, so I don’t want to start in on something that would be over my head. I would appreciate some input from anyone with direct experience with OS X server. Thanks, Josh __________________ MacBook 2.0CD, 2GB RAM, 10.5.8 [SIZE="3"]Apple's handling of iPhone apps is quickly souring my taste for apple products. I've aquired a Windows 7 machine instead of the new MacBook as my form of protest[/size]

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Oct 26th, 2005, 01:26 PM	#2
mguertin Honourable Citizen Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oakville, ON Posts: 5,018	It should do everything you need out of the box. OSX server is really easy to administer (it gives you apps to take care of all the sharing management, etc). You _might_ need to get the unlimited client version but I'm not positive if the 10 client connects apply to both AFP and SMB shares (mac and windows)... you'll want to check with Apple or a supplier on that issue but other than that i think OSX server is the better choice for your needs for sure.