Mac Mini substitutes home server and apple tv?

I have a HP mediasmart home server to manage backups, remote access and such. As well as I have an Apple TV where i store my pictures, movies, music etc.
I wonder if the mac mini (+server) will be a good substitute for all that functionality?
http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/mediasmart-server/

"But can it be both simultaneously?
Both a server and a media machine that is showing a movie on your TV?"
Yes it can, no problems.
The Mini Server OSX is pretty much the same as the client Snow Leopard, complete with Front Row, iTunes, Mail, Safari etc, but no iLife09 supplied - you will have to pay extra for that.
It will do everything that Snow Leopard will do but has all the server capabilities too if you know how to set it up/use the software.
The only things I had trouble with was I can't find Migration Assistant and a strange quirk is that it won't share a USB connected printer across a network! No sign of printer sharing in System prefs but I guess you can do it via the Server config somewhere...
I just used CUPS to enable Bonjour printer sharing - works fine
I have been able to insatll everything I had on my previous CoreDuo Mini including Final Cut Express, iLife09, EyeTV, some bit torrent stuff - all works fine...
I really like the fact that I can plug two monitors in - I have the MiniDVI connected to a 50" plasma and 1080p Projector (using an HDMI splitter), the Mini Display port feeds a separate 20" widescreen monitor - when the plasma/PJ is switched off the main display automatically switches back to the 20" monitor
All in all this MiniServer is a great little HTPC - powerful and silent with 1TB of storage. The Server software is a bonus I haven't even looked at as yet

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I transferred files from a NAS server to the Mac Mini Snow Leopard Server and now some of the files have Custom Access and can't be opened by some users. How do I fix this?

We're setting up our Mac Mini Snow Leopard Server, and in the process transferred files that had been stored and accessed from our Blackarmor NAS server over to the Mac. These files were all created on PC's and are Office Excel files, WordPerfect files or PDF's. When you look at the files on the Mac from the Mac and bring up Get Info for the affected file, it says that the file has Custom Access. The files that work properly don't have that configuration. I can access and open the files on some computers, but some users can't open the files from their computer even though they can see it. We're all using PC's and they get the Error: Access Denied-Contact your administrator--or something similar. I've seen on the web similar issues and it may have something to do with ACL permissions. I don't know enough about Mac OS to understand this, but what is baffling is that they can be opened from some PC's but not others, and all of the Users have the same accessibility to the files. Thanks for a solution!!

Oh, on the losing Internet, try this...
Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712
10.7 & 10.8…
System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.
10.5.x/10.6.x/10.7.x instructions...
System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.
The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.
Instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.
For 10.5/10.6, System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
Click OK.
PS. Your English is quite good & completely understandable.

Windows Home Server and Apple TV 2

There are some old threads talking about Windows Home Server and the original Apple TV - the HP Windows Home Servers actually have excellent Mac support and out of the box with the Twonky Media Server that is bundled with the HP WIndows Home Servers would stream to the original Apple TV with no issue.
The wrinkle is the Apple TV 2 requires Home Sharing. I'm not going to debate good/bad - it is what it is. I was searching for a way to get my WHS working with my Apple TV 2 since I'm finally getting around to automating the transcoding of my Tivo files and I would much rather my WHS be my media server than my Mac. I came across this article that seems perfectly reasonable:
http://forum.wegotserved.com/index.php/topic/16359-whs-and-apple-tv-v2/
I haven't tried it yet, but it seems perfectly reasonable. Has anyone else tried it? I'll report back either way - if I remember to

"But can it be both simultaneously?
Both a server and a media machine that is showing a movie on your TV?"
Yes it can, no problems.
The Mini Server OSX is pretty much the same as the client Snow Leopard, complete with Front Row, iTunes, Mail, Safari etc, but no iLife09 supplied - you will have to pay extra for that.
It will do everything that Snow Leopard will do but has all the server capabilities too if you know how to set it up/use the software.
The only things I had trouble with was I can't find Migration Assistant and a strange quirk is that it won't share a USB connected printer across a network! No sign of printer sharing in System prefs but I guess you can do it via the Server config somewhere...
I just used CUPS to enable Bonjour printer sharing - works fine
I have been able to insatll everything I had on my previous CoreDuo Mini including Final Cut Express, iLife09, EyeTV, some bit torrent stuff - all works fine...
I really like the fact that I can plug two monitors in - I have the MiniDVI connected to a 50" plasma and 1080p Projector (using an HDMI splitter), the Mini Display port feeds a separate 20" widescreen monitor - when the plasma/PJ is switched off the main display automatically switches back to the 20" monitor
All in all this MiniServer is a great little HTPC - powerful and silent with 1TB of storage. The Server software is a bonus I haven't even looked at as yet

Which Mac mini for home server, Aperture & HTPC

Hi,
I'm buying a Mac mini for:
- home / small business server
- Occasional HTPC usage (will be hooked to my TV via HDMI)
- Occasional Aperture / iPhoto usage (minimal iMovie)
Which one is most suitable for this?
I was planing to go for Server version (with bumped up RAM to 8GB), but now I read about video card and I'm not 100% anymore.
I will NOT use it for 3D - gaming or similar tasks!
Thak you all for help!
Vasja

I went for the non-server dual core i7 with AMD GPU and am very happy with it. Do quite a bit of Aperture work and it never misses a beat (so far). I'm not a fan of integrated Intel graphics and wouldn't trust it for HTPC duties.
I'm not sure how many/much of the 'server' functionality you're going to be using as it sounds more like file transfer and other tasks that could be accomplished through normal Lion.
Unless I'm missing something I assume the two hard drives in the Mini Server are just as much of a pain to replace as the one in the non-server Mini so I didn't see the point of having a two hard disc Mini.
For your requirements I would definitely look at how much of the server functionality you really need to utilise, and if the answer is 'not much' I'd recommend the i5 or i7 non-server Mini with AMD GPU and some sort of NAS, plus a sensible offsite backup plan for your data.

Mac mini as file server and Mediacenter

I have bought a Mac mini with Lion and want to use it as a fileserver and a mediacenter. After formatting my external disks and putting the data back on I have now been able to share them on my network (mix of Mac and PC). My problem is the Mac mini will freeze up quite often and and therefore I cannot get access to my files from the other computers in my network and it will stall every no and then when watching a DVD.
Is there a power saving option I have overlooked? When it goes into standby mode I cannot always wake it up again but have to make a hard reset.
I am using XBMC as mediacenter software. I also have IDrive running as online backup and Evocam as videosurveillance software.

resman30 wrote:
After formatting my external disks and putting the data back on I have now been able to share them on my network (mix of Mac and PC).
You say disks. How many and what brand and how is the connection
made (USB/Firerwire)?
Is there a power saving option I have overlooked? When it goes into standby mode I cannot always wake it up again but have to make a hard reset.
Can you post your settings that you currently have?
I am using XBMC as mediacenter software. I also have IDrive running as online backup and Evocam as videosurveillance software.
Can you disable IDrive and the Evocam software for a while
and see if the issue persists? I don't see XBMC as being an issue
as I use it on multiple Macs without a problem.

I want to use a mac mini as a server supporting storage. Can I pair my macair to it for when I need to perform updates and maintenance ?

I want to use a mac mini as a server supporting storage. I have other devices such as an iMac and iPad that will access information from the server. I do not want to purchase a monitor and keyboard as the unit will sit in a cupboard out of sight. Can I pair my macair to it for when I need to perform updates and maintenance ?

I have a 2010 Mac Mini running Yosemite and Server which I use
as a headless home server.
I have is set up to allow screen sharing and can connect to it and
control it with my iMac, Macbook Pro, iPhone, and a 2011 Mini Server
that I use as an HTPC.
You can check this out for all the Yosemite Server capabilities:
https://help.apple.com/advancedserveradmin/mac/4.0/
I have iTunes Home Sharing set up on it and have my entire iTunes
library on it. I can then use any of my Macs to play Movies or Songs
from it and only keep locally a select subset of that on my individual
devices.
Rather than and update server, I utilize Server's Caching Service. The caching
server will duplicate any update download (system or MacApp Store purchases)
any time a device that is connected to my network down loads one. The update will
then be stored locally and all other devices will download the update from it which
can be faster than from Apple directly. This has the advantage of only having to download
once with limited bandwidth internet connections. There is also an Update Server service
available, but it is some what more involved in setting up. However, it will download
and store all available updates.
There is another thing as well if you do not care for syncing things like Contacts, Calendar, etc.
to iCloud, you can set Server up to sync these items across devices locally.

How do I set up my Time Machine and Mac Mini with Lion Server so i have one wifi loop in the house?

HELP!
So I have had a Time Machine wifi loop at the house for approx. 6 years. I run two Macbooks, 2 iPhones, 2 iTouch and a Samsung Smart Blueray on the loop.
I just bought a Mac Mini with Lion Server. When setting it up I'm not sure what or how I managed to do, but I now have 2 wifi loops, one doesn't lock and niether will support the Samsung BlueRay. Also, each time I want to go online with one of the other Mac devices i have to relog into the wifi loop.
Can someone please walk me through the fix. The mac Mini is plugged straight into the Time Machine to recevie its internet connection.
Thanks!
John

You often see this limit of 10 clients in wireless hotspots but I have yet to see it in an adsl modem.. most strange way to pay for a service that is really irrelevant how many clients you use.
Have a go .. I recently setup a TC to help a guy run his Roku.. and this setup worked well.. I have no idea if it can work in your case.
Lets say the IP you get is 192.168.2.1-10 .. doesn't matter what it really is. And the adsl modem is 192.168.2.254
(Assuming they are private addresses.. if they are public IP you can just use the DHCP and NAT. )
But go to the airport utility.. I think you need to run v5 at least to change DNS.. but you can do the same thing in v6 using static but no dns changes.
Now you set the IP of the TC manually.. This address might need to be in the dhcp range of the modem to work. You can set the DNS to same IP as the router address.. ie home address of the modem. Or you can use another DNS.. whatever you like.
Then set DHCP for clients that will join.. this can then expand the scope of addresses..
It worked without a NAT error.. although I am not sure exactly how.. on paper it should not be able to work but did.. have a go.. otherwise there is perhaps another way.. but it is complicated.
Give us an example from a computer plugged into the modem of what IP .. subnet mask .. Gateway and DNS you get. Then I can fine tune the values for it.

How do I set up my Mac mini to read iTunes and iPhoto files from my new Mac mini server?

Want my old Mac mini to read iPhoto and iTunes files from my new Mac mini server. Old Mac has no more room to store files. How do I do this?

Hello,
Have you tried enabling iTunes Sharing & iPhoto Sharing on the Server?
Or maybe...
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
http://www.apple.com/itunes/inside-itunes/2011/02/how-to-move-your-itunes-librar y-to-another-hard-drive.html
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2506
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1229

Hi All, I setup 2 Mac Minis, 'setup in a no-apple id. Now with Mini1 I installed a shared printer from Windows7 Pc it ask for credentials then I input Adminstrator account and the password ticking the remember in "keychain" I run a test print and its se

Hi All,
I setup 2 Mac Minis, 'setup in a no-apple id. Now with Mini1 I installed a shared printer from Windows7 Pc it ask for credentials then I input Adminstrator account and the password ticking the remember in "keychain"
I run a test print and its seamless. I reboot the Mini1 and run test print again and its good.
Now in Mini2 I did the same installation on shared printer but it is asking for user credential again and again, there is a check mark in "remember in keychain but still gives a notice that "requires authentication" I put the admin creadentials same with Mini1 then it prints.
every time I print on Mini2 its always asking for a user & password before Printing. How can we fix it.
I tried
- lpd printing = "authentication required"
- reset printer settings ang re-install printer = "authentication required"
- replace sharename in windows7, reinstall printer in Mini2 = "authentication required"
This stuff never happened to Mini1.

Hi All,
I setup 2 Mac Minis, 'setup in a no-apple id. Now with Mini1 I installed a shared printer from Windows7 Pc it ask for credentials then I input Adminstrator account and the password ticking the remember in "keychain"
I run a test print and its seamless. I reboot the Mini1 and run test print again and its good.
Now in Mini2 I did the same installation on shared printer but it is asking for user credential again and again, there is a check mark in "remember in keychain but still gives a notice that "requires authentication" I put the admin creadentials same with Mini1 then it prints.
every time I print on Mini2 its always asking for a user & password before Printing. How can we fix it.
I tried
- lpd printing = "authentication required"
- reset printer settings ang re-install printer = "authentication required"
- replace sharename in windows7, reinstall printer in Mini2 = "authentication required"
This stuff never happened to Mini1.

I have a Mac on my home network and also a Systemline music server on same network. My PC was able to find the server but my MAC cannot. I can ping the server from the mac, but cannot actually connect . Also can't add the mac as a location from server

I have a Mac on my home network and also a Systemline music server on same network. My PC was able to find the server but my MAC cannot. I can ping the server from the mac, but cannot actually connect . Also can't add the mac as a location from server, despite following the Systemline instructions that impy this can be done.
Can anyone please advise what I am doing wrong?

Hi LowLuster
Thanks for reply. I am not an expert on these sharing protocols but I think I have turned on SMB sharing but still wont connect. I tried adding netwrik drive by using cntrl K in finder and using smb\\network address but nothing. It is driving me mad!!

If I install the Mail server on a Mac Mini as a server, can my users utilize Outlook as their mail client and how will it be different for them?

If I install the Mail server on a Mac Mini as a server, can my users utilize Outlook as their mail client and how will it be different for them?

Your users can utilize Outlook no matter where your email is hosted at.
how will it be different for them
different from what?

I am considering purchasing the Mac mini for home studio audio production using Adobe Audition and a USB microphone. Will the base mini model run these programs?

I am considering purchasing the Mac mini for home studio audio production using Adobe Audition and a USB microphone. Will the base mini model run these programs?

The base mini has 4GB and a 5400 RPM hard drive. It is slow to start up and slow to launch large application such as Word (and I'd assume Adobe Audition) due to the slow drive. I've not used a new 4GB model, just the 8GB model, and the 8GB model (except for the slow drive) handles everything I've thrown at it, including running Photoshop, Word, Safari, and Mail at the same time but there is sometimes a delay switching between programs as the swapfile is updated. Overall I was not happy with the 5400 RPM drive (perhaps because I have MBA and iMac with Fusion drive) so I eventually upgraded it with an SSD. Now the mini is truly a warrior.

Just had my mac mini's superdrive replaced by Apple, I have it back now and the top get so hot you cant touch it, I installed fancontrol and it climbs to 100 C but dont think the fan is running as it says 000rpm?

Just had my mac mini's superdrive replaced by Apple, I have it back now and the top get so hot you cant touch it, I installed fancontrol and it climbs to 100 C but dont think the fan is running as it says 000rpm?

Have you spoken to whoever replaced the superdrive? Why not take it back there?

How to make a SL Mac Mini a VPN server?

I'd like to set up my Mac Mini at home as a VPN server. I have read online that it can be done in non server SL, but I see in network where to add a VPN, but that looks more like a connecting into one rather than setting one up. Is there a way to set up a VPN server on this Mini, and at that, for free?

If you have a new enough Mac mini you could use Mountain Lion and Server.app however for Snow Leopard you can in theory do it also so.
For Snow Leopard (client) you can try following various howto guides on setting up the included VPN server software via the command-line. The user version of OS X has always contained the same basic server software such as DHCP, DNS, http, and in this case VPN but does not include the Apple tools for making it easy to setup.
Here are some links
http://dreaming-artemis.com/2011/07/18/setting-up-vpn-on-the-imac-osx-snow-leopa rd-10-6-8/
http://stormrook.com/2010/05/31/setting-up-a-vpn-server-on-osx/#more-39
There is also the option of buying a relatively cheap GUI utility which does the setting up for you, see
http://macserve.org.uk/projects/ivpn/

Using Mac Mini running OSX Server (10.8) to host web sites on LAN

I would like to know how to use a Mac Mini running OSX Server (10.8 ML) to host web sites on my home network (LAN).
I am developing web sites and previously (before ML) I used my Mac Pro to 'host' the sites I was developing to test them out before publishing them to my hosting package. That was when I was using 10.7 Lion and theer was an option in the System Preferences to turn web sharing on.
I have since upgraded my Mac client to 10.8 ML and have configured it to do the same - even though there is no System Preferences option for web sharing any more.
I also have a Mac Mini running on my LAN and its been upgraded to OSX Server 10.8.
Im now trying to configure it to host the web sites I am developing but with no success.
I thought it was just a matter of adding them as sites in the Server's Websites panel (see screen shot)
but so far Ive had no success.
On my Mac client I can simply add a folder in the Sites directory and then open the web site by putting http://myhost/~myuser/name-of-folder and it will load the default file in the folder e.g. index.html
How do I achieve the 'same thing' on OSX Server?

Hi Johnfromglenver,
There are no Mac drivers for the HP Officejet K60 printer. Therefore it is not compatible with the Mac operating systems. Please call our technical support at 800-474-6836. If you live outside the US/Canada Region please click the link below to get the support number for your region. http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/hpsupport/index.pl. There may be other solutions that could work for you.
I hope this information helps.
Advance 23
I work on behalf of HP

Mac Mini substitutes home server and apple tv?

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