Any Leopard Server Install Advice/Precautions?

I have a XServe which is running Server 10.4 like a champ. Our entire office is running NHD's off of this server and using files on an XRAID. I have installed Leopard on one of my client machines (an archive install) and it is VERY buggy. I have also installed leopard clean on a couple of other systems I have as backup stations (erased drives and installed) and they seem to be working perfectly fine.
The question is that I see so many posts of buggy systems and servers, I don't want to risk messing up my entire business installing this software on my server unless there are good failsafes that I can go back to if everything fails. Just wondering if anyone who has installed has any cautionary advice before I go ahead? Or is a clean install on the server the better way to go as well?
Also, I am hesitant to install leopard on any of my other client machines due to the problems I am having on the one that I did the archive and install. I am thinking that the best method would be a clean install on all machines but that will take more time to do. I just set them all up only a month ago (not looking forward to doing that again!) but if that is the best answer, that is what I will have to do to take advantage of some of the new features. Any one else discover that (clean install vs. archive and install) as the best answer?

Hi icon mike-
It sounds like you are trying to talk yourself into something that you know is not a good idea.
The bleeding edge is no place to put a business. Think twice before venturing the rough waters that accompany any system update and subsequent migration.
I have been using Leopard since the day it was released and do not find it buggy at all. In fact I am quite happy with the stability. The eye candy takes up way too much horsepower for my liking but that is how it tends to go and I do digress.
If you insist I would recommend reading and understanding the migration guide prior to making any moves, then make sure you have 2 or 3 working backups of each system before doing anything.
Mac OS X Server Upgrading and Migrating For Version 10.5 Leopard
Luck-
-DaddyPaycheck

Similar Messages

Kernel Panic Leopard Server Install

Recently purchased a 8 core MacPro desktop with RAID card. It's going to function
as a server running Leopard Server 10.5. I wanted to configure the drives for RAID 5 and repartition. Ran into an issue where i could not boot from the Leopard Server install DVD. It keeps giving a kernel panic each time i try.
The install DVD works fine on PPC G5 or Intel Core Duo. It seems to be specific
issue with quad core model Macs.
I figured a work around by target disking the 8 core off a MacBook core duo machine.
Still would like to know if anyone else has seen this problem with the quad processor models.
P.S.
I also tried booting with another set of Leopard server install DVDs and no luck???
Thanks in Advance!!!
John

Hi
This could be because the copy of Leopard Server you are using does not have the hardware specific drivers the MacPro requires.
In which case install the standard OS as normal using the disks that came with the MacPro. Once you've done that define the account name and password as well as network settings as it would if it was a standard server install etc. Once you get to the desktop insert the Leopard Installer disk and use the installer version in the Additional Installs folder.
Tony

Remote Leopard Server Install Issues

Hello,
I'm hoping someone can help me figure out an odd issue regarding a remote install of Leopard Server. These are the specifics:
- I have a MBP client machine running Leopard with the server admin tools installed.
- I want to install Leopard Server on a Mac Pro I have which has the Leopard Server DVD in its optical drive and is on the network under the same subnet.
I've been following the instructions on how to perform a remote install in the Mac OS X Server Essentials Second Edition book (the one endorsed by Apple for server certification) and the process they detail is not correct for me. Here's what I'm doing:
1. Boot the Mac Pro from the Leopard Server DVD. It is currently at the initial setup screen where I choose what language I want to use.
2. I launch Server Assistant from the Server folder under \Applications on my client machine.
3. I choose the "Install Mac OS X Server on a remote computer" radio button and click on Continue.
4. The applications finds my server in a ready state for installation: http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/8906/screencapturen.jpg - I select my server and click on Continue.
5. I enter the first 8 digits of my server's serial number to authenticate and click on OK.
6. I choose English as my install language.
7. I click on Continue through all the agreements for the license.
8. I select the local disk to perform the install (it's cleanly formatted) and click on Continue: http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3852/screencapture1x.jpg
9. The Server Assistant begins "installing" Mac OS X Server to my machine.
10. After about 10 seconds, it restarts the remote Mac Pro computer: http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/2707/screencapture2.jpg
11. My remote Mac Pro restarts. If I attempt to boot from the hard drive, I get a question mark inside a folder. If I boot into the DVD I'm back to step 1.
12. Mac OS X Server Assistant proudly proclaims "Software from the Mac OS X Server installation disc has been installed on "My Server": http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/305/screencapture3.jpg
At this point I'm back to the beginning. Am I doing something wrong?? Is this application just being r e t a r d e d?? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys

You will definitely need the assitance of the AAA administrator, troubleshooting on the AAA client side shows only a fraction of what is going on.
Ask her or him to do the following:
The most important and also easiest thing is to check the "failed attempt" log and look if there is any entry at all for your ASA.
If there is an entry it should be self-explaining like "unknown NAS" or "tacacs key mismatch" - being convinced about a correct config and verifying it is two different things.
I have seen weird things like entering a key on a AAA server via a remote desktop and the keyboard settings were mismatched: english/german resulting in swapped letters "Y" and "Z" - never trust your config until you verified it.
If there is no entry at all then it could be a device on the path which is dropping tcp/49 but permitting ping/traceroute or some device is translating the address of the ASA (well in that case you should see an "unknown NAS" in the failed attempts).
Do you have the possibility to connect a device to the inside network of the ASA like a notebook? If so, try to telnet to tcp/49 of the AAA server, you should see right away, whether tcp/49 is permitted (get a blank screen immediately=connectivity, timeout=no connectivity)
That's all you can do from your side, sadly tha ASA doesn't have a telnet client.
Rgds,
MiKa

Leopard Server Install Fails

I have been trying to take a Tiger server to Leopard server, but every time I begin the actual installation process, the installation fails due to an unknown error. I have tried doing a clean install and a standard install but both fail. I have also tried erasing the volume first but I get an error saying the volume would not unmount (using Disk Utility from the Leopard install dvd). I was able to erase the volume by booting the xserve up from an external hard drive and using disk utility. I have also tried different install dvds but same problem persists. I have tried repairing the disk but it says nothing needs to be repaired.
Is this a sign that I have a bad hard drive and need to replace it or am I missing something?
Any help would be great.

http://images.apple.com/server/macosx/docs/GettingStartedv10.5.pdf
Look at page 32

HELP... Mac Leopard Server Install

Hi,
I did a clean install of Leopard server on a Mac Pro. When I open the server preferences pane, it "grinds" away for a while and then finally displays the services, but very slow... The same when opening server admin tools. It sees a server but takes a long time to display the information.
The only thing that is a bit odd to this newbie (very newbie) is that during the setup process I used office.companyname.com as the primary DNS. But the sever host name is Company-Name-Sever.local not sure if that means anything to you guys...
When I try to set up a macbook pro to the server it displays office.companyname.com, which doesn't work with the password. So I enter Company-Name-Sever.local which does work with the password, but takes a long time to show the services available, and the list doesn't include all the services that users is assigned....
What's up??
Many Thanks!!

Hi.
You do need (and Apple does not emphasize this enough), working forward and reverse DNS for OS X Server. It need not be on your OS X Server, but it is needed.
To change the server's FQDN after-the-fact, you need to use changeip in the terminal.
enter: man changeip
for more info.
Please, be very, very careful if you are new to DNS and your machine is on a publicly reachable IP !
If that is the case, please hire a demonstrably knowledgeable professional to help with your DNS. For example, have your ISP host your DNS. It It's not something you should ever "play" with outside of anything but a private network and with zone transfers disabled unless you know what you're doing.
For example, please read the whole thread,
http://lists.apple.com/archives/macos-x-server/2008/Jan/msg00198.html

Clean Leopard Server install- no ARD

I have a clean install of Sever 10.5.4
I have setup the remote management in the system preference.
I have 3 admin users (all with different names)
The server will not let me ARD or SSH in from any of the users on the local network or over the internet. Server Admin & Workgroup manager both work.
What gives?
Ideas??

http://images.apple.com/server/macosx/docs/GettingStartedv10.5.pdf
Look at page 32

Are there any problems with Snow Leopard Server (Xserve) and PPC Clients

Hi,
are there any problems identified yet with Snow Leopard Server, installed on a Xserve and PPC Clients running Mac OS X Tiger and Leopard?
Currently I have a Xserve Intel running Leopard Server and about 12 Mac Minis PPC running Mac OS X Tiger and Mac OS X Leopard. The Xserve serves services like DNS, OpenDirectory, Software Update Server, NetBoot, etc. All users have Home Directories stored on the Xserve.
Now I want to install Snow Leoaprd Server on the Xserve, but I wonder if there are any problems using the PPC Clients? I have read something like this on a german website.
Thanks!

We've actually found that the Server 10.6.3 DVD does an amazingly smooth job of upgrading 10.5.8. We've been upgrading our production servers and nothing has gone wrong yet. Snow Leopard employs an archive and install method of upgrading which results in an install which is very close to a clean install. So it's been very convenient for us because our servers are used as Windows PDCs and it's a pain in the *** to have to re-join all PCs to the domain if we start from scratch.

Can I install Snow leopard server on the new Mac Mini Lion server?

Hi guys, I purchased a Lion Server and I am wondering if its possible to install Snow Leopard server on it.
I have the Snow Leopard Server install discs and everything , just wondering if there is any thing I should take note of, I personally prefer SLS over Lion.
What do you guys think?

There's a huge thread on this (client, not server, but same concept) which you can find here.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3209335?tstart=30

Install on OS X 10.5 (leopard) SERVER?

I'm trying to install CS3 Design Premium on a MacPro with Leopard Server.
Install immediately stops with a error message pointing me to tech support. All they say is: Server is not officially supported.
Anyone with a success story?

@ Buko: Yes I have (see orig. post): they say "server is not supported, try the forum" ;-)
@ Mike: ... Because I have a server on my desktop (MacPro). Leopard Server is essentially Leopard plus a few services (some of which I wanna use, such as iCal server). Unfortunateyl, I first installed OS X Server, then tried to install CS3.
I bet, if I tried it like this:
1. install OS X (not the server version)
2. install CS3
3. upgrade OS X to server (this is easily done with the Leopard Server install medium -- it installs the 'missing' services)
I would have succeeded. I did not want to reinstall everything, though, hence I did not try this route myself, yet.
Maybe anyone out there has tried this one?
Marc

No Ethernet/Internet Connection on Parallels 7 Running Snow Leopard Server - Fix?

I have recently installed Parallels 7 on my 2013 iMac, and have both Snow Leopard Server and Windows 7 running great on the Parallels platform.
However, after installing some anti-virus software, "ClamXav" and "MacScan", I need to have the internet connected to my Paralells 7 so I can receive viral updates to both these programs. I am unable to get any ethernet/internet connection on my Paralells 7 running Snow Leopard Server.
I have tried to update the Paralells 7 Snow Leopard Server "network Info" (in SL systems preferences" ... as the same ethernet connection info that I have running my "network connection" on my main OS Mountain Lion, but still no ethernet connection in Paralells 7.
This is a screen grab of the locations where I believe I am able to update my "ethernet" info for Paralells 7 Snow Leopard:
Obviously, I've blurred out the current info in these two windows, for security purposes, but exactly what should be applied to these windows to get my "ethernet" connection in Paralells 7 up and running?
I would think entering the exact same "network info" as appears in my Mountain Lion "Systems Preferences - Network" window, would get me internet connected on Paralells 7 Snow Leopard? Evidently not ... what is needed for me to get this right?
Anyone have experience getting "ethernet/internet" connected on Snow Leopard Server, using Paralells 7?

MlchaelLAX
Since I have been directed to: "NOT waste everyones time on this discussion" the only thing more I am going to do after this post is click on: "Stop email notifications" and never return to this thread again!
Internet access through Ethernet in Snow Leopard Server installed into Parallels 8 on 2011 Mac Mini in Lion:"
I simply don't want to purchase and have to install Parallels 8 .... Parallels 7 should work fine on connecting to the Internet. Also, I was asking about the internet connection issue with the new 2013 iMac (running Mountain Lion 10.8.3 runiing Parallels 7), not a 2011 Mini Mac running Lion with Parallels 8.

SNOW LEOPARD SERVER PROBLEMS REQUIRE CERTIFIED CONSULTANT TO HELP

I've had a pretty unstable Snow Leopard server install since it was upgraded from Leopard a few months ago. Some of the problems were said to be hardware related, but I've been unable to migrate it to a different computer (Mac Mini).
The current installation is running, albeit poorly.
We had a Mac consultant involved in these issues, but he has proven to be unstable and unreliable as well - so we're on a search for a new consultant to give us some paid assistance in straightening this thing out.
We're not on the US mainland, but can make the server accessible by ARD and/or SSH to someone.
Someone with Apple certification would be preferred.

Hi Brian,
I'm an IT consultant dealing with Mac OS Servers and Windows Servers as well as Linux. I can offer a few helpful suggestions since just recently I transferred data from a Mac OS 10.5.8 Server to a 10.6.2 Server.
My first question to you is what data are you immigrating from? example 10.5.8 Server Data to 10.6.2 server?
The reason why I ask this since IMAP data in 10.5.8 and before was using Cyrus and starting in 10.6 apple switched to Dovecot.
Initially, I did not realized that apple made the switch and had stalling problems using the apple migration tool. (Personally I don't think the tool works well since a lot of others are running into this problem when researching this issue).
In the end I decided it was best to important everything manually, mail and not use the apple immigration tool since I think it has some issues.
The first thing I would do is make sure the DNS is configure right so that the server can resolve it's name which is very important.
Hopefully you're been running Open Directory . Export the users from the old server and import it to the new 10.6.2 server.
Next transfer the IMAP mail from 10.5.8 server to the 10.6 server to the same locations.
Example in 10.5.8 server default location is
/var/imap
and
/var/spool/imap
note this is where cyrus stored imap data in 10.5.x and maybe before. I have to look at my old 10.4 server since I'll be upgrade my own server soon.
My clients Servers have been upgrade fine by doing the manual method.
anyway...
keep those two locations in mind of where you mail is stored.
next I would copy your old cyrus mail to the new server. Don't use the migration tool at all. Just setup the new server and get the DNS running so it can resolve itself before you do this.
also make sure mail server is not running and it's off.
open up a terminal window
copy and paste this but change the name of the volume/hard drive name (HD_name)
sudo /usr/libexec/dovecot/migratemaildata.pl --cyrusBin "/Volumes/HD_name/usr/bin/cyrus/bin" --database "/Volumes/HD_name/var/imap" --sourceSpool "/Volumes/HD_name/var/spool/imap" --targetSpool "/var/spool/imap/dovecot/mail"
ok do this will convert all of your cyrus mail to dovecot. Make sure you've already imported the users from Open Directory before doing this script.
after all of this
there's still one more step
for some reason the postfix "main.cf" file is configured to use cyrus in 10.6.2 update.
/etc/postfix/main.cf
you can use the pico editor if you like.
example
type in at terminal window
sudo pico /etc/postfix/main.cf
it should be near the end of the file
don't bother with anything that's in # which is ignored.
look for
mailbox_transport = cyrus
then change it to
mailbox_transport = dovecot
save the changes
edit settings in the mail server with server admin to what you had... I recommend don't importing the mail settings from the old server admin since some people reported that its better just to manually configure it.
however for other server admin settings you might try to export and import to the new server.
If you have any questions just let me know and I'm glad to help the mac community.

Snow Leopard Server to Lion Non-Server?

I have Snow Leopard Server on a MacMini. I cannot install the non-server version of Lion and must pay extra for Lion-Server upgrade. Is there a way to install Lion on my MacMini that has Snow Leopard Server installed?

Hi
You can't install Lion Server (which is simply the Server App) without installing Lion anyway. What this means is you can install 'ordinary' Lion on your existing Snow Leopard Server and provided you don't download and launch the Server App your Snow Leopard Server won't really be a Server anymore. Leastways not with any usuable 10.6 Server Administration applications (Server Admin, WorkGroup Manager etc) that you can use as these are all deleted/removed when Lion is installed.
HTH?
Tony

Can a Server install alter a Time Machine backup's permissions?

I'm trying to change a server from Advanced to Simple, so I'd planned to:
1) Run a final Time Machine backup
2) Shut the server down
3) Reinstall Leopard Server from scratch
4) Reinstall any/all needed apps or files using Time Machine.
The first snag I ran into was that after step 3) all files in the Time Machine backup seemed to have had their permissions altered so that I could not access the folders and could not make changes to the files.
Based on help from someone else I was able to find out that an ACL is in effect on these files.
I also had some files stored on the Time Machine Backups drive as regular files....these do not appear to have the ACL applied.
When I couldn't figure out how to deal with that I went ahead and did a Full Restore using the Leopard Server Install DVD. This went without a hitch and the Time Machine backup files no longer appeared to have the ACL applied.
So can installing Leopard Server using all defaults where possible (excl. server name and such) and using the Simple server options alter the existing backups on a Time Machine Backups disk like this? Is there something I can/should be doing differently to get this to work "correctly"? Reinstalling from scratch again is still an option if there's something different to try.
Thanks in advance!
-Matt
P.S. I was expecting to have to do some manual reconstruction on the mail server that runs on this box, but didn't expect issues like this so any help is appreciated!

Hi, if I understand correctly yes, but may I ask the purpose of doing so?

Snow Leopard Server vs MobileMe

I am considering purchasing the new Mac Mini with Snow Leopard Server installed on it.
Our small two location office has been using MobileMe quite satisfactorily for the last two years and I wonder if Server could replace its functionality. We have about 4-6 people with MobileMe accounts.
Specifically. the ability to log into any Mac and setup a separate user account on that Mac to sync my email, contacts, calendar, and dock to automatically using the built in apps, NOT the web client. Will I be able to still do this with any Mac and can I also get access to this info from a PC based computer through a web browser if need be? We also have 3 people using iPod touches (since we don't have AT&T coverage in this area), will they be able to access the info as before?
Also, we have two offices in different geographic locations, thus one office would only be able to access the server via internet.
The mini-server seems like a great deal, I am just trying to financially justify it.
Thanks.......

Difficulties is the wrong term. I could actually accomplish almost everything with a little time and effort--it just took longer than you may be willing to take away from your business. I'm a semi-retired geek hobbyist, not a businessman who needs it to work right away. I guess it was a matter of comparing Snow Leopard Server with what I already had (MobileMe)...
MobileMe e-mail works perfectly for multiple users on desktops and their laptops. Configuring DNS and DHCP on SLS is daunting. Then you have to tell everyone about your new addresses. Why go through the hassle of changing?
A common Address Book contact list works fine in MobileMe. Address Book is unique to each user in SLS.
We see all of our individual calendars overlaid on one calendar in MobileMe. In SLS, you have to create a Wiki page to see everybody at once.
My iPhone syncs just fine with our contacts, calendars, and multiple e-mail accounts. I didn't try with SLS.
Other SLS Pluses: File sharing is great on SLS. Centralized storage and backup with Time Machine is a real plus. Ditto for automatic backup when the laptops join the network. Our Windows laptops have no difficulties accessing the files on the server. I have approximately 300G of music and photos on the server--everyone can access them and I can use the server as a continuous streaming source for our AppleTV.
Other Negative: You cannot automatically backup a Windows machine (including Windows 7) to the server.
I'm not saying it's not a great product--it's been enjoyable and educational for me--but I suspect that the ROI is limited for a very small business operation. I've enjoyed playing with it--and my family web page and blog are open 24/7--but you can run a micro business operation for less money and less time/hassle.
C.

How to set up Leopard server on a wifi-only network?

Hi - I'm having a lot of trouble getting Leopard server installed and running on a wi-fi only network. Standard setup says I have to be connected to a local Ethernet. Advance setup allows me to start services, but then the server disappears after a few minutes.
Anyone able to do this successfully?

Per the documentation, there is no way to do this. Leopard Server requires a dedicated Ethernet port on the subnet that it serves - so I'll have to bridge my Ethernet and wifi networks. As I don't have a hub of my own, I'll upgrade my Airport Express to an Airport Extreme, connect the mini and see if the services come back up or if I have to reinstall.
Tim

Any Leopard Server Install Advice/Precautions?

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