Mac Mini Server (Announced October 20, 2009) - Does it do RAID1?

Apple announced the Mac Mini Server today for $999. It comes with two SATA hard drives, but there is no mention of RAID1. Does it do RAID1? This would be a good enough reason to get it. This could be a perfect media device - iTunes server, streaming video to TV via DVI/USB-to-HDMI adapter or DVI/optical-digital-audio_out-to-HDMI adapter, Time Machine backups, and file storage with RAID1. Without RAID1, this is just a mini sans the DVD drive.

Dunstan Cooke wrote:
I'm interested in a RAID 1 configuration to use as a file server in our office. 500 gb will be plenty of space for us, and I will couple this with an external 1 TB drive to use as a Time Machine backup.
Given that presumably the OS will come preinstalled on one of the drives, how do you then create the mirror of this? If I reinstall the OS from an external device, does the installation provide the option to create the RAID 1 array to install to?
When you boot from the Mac OS X install DVD (included with the Mac mini) you have the option to run Disk Utility to format/erase/partition or configure Software RAID. You can then once you have created your RAID configuration proceed with the installation in to that volume.
Note: The Disk Utility program (the GUI version) does not let you partition a RAID drive, so if you have the two 500GB drives, you can only have a single 500GB volume (RAID1) or a single 1TB volume (RAID0). It is possible (but not recommended by Apple) to create two or more RAID mirrored partitions on a pair of drives via the command line. To do this in this case, would involve booting from an external drive which has Mac OS X installed on it, then you can run the Terminal to access the diskutil command line tool.

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Mac Mini Server (Late 2009) - Won't boot from Windows USB/DVD

Hello all,
I have a Late 2009 Mac Mini Server (Macmini 3,1) with OS X Lion.
I have created a Bootcamp Windows Partition on one the 500GB Disk using Bootcamp 4.0.
After the partition is created, I have tried installing Windows 7 using the Bootable USB method as well as using the CD Drive from the attached SuperDrive.
But all I encounter is either the blinking cursor or after the "Starting Windows" logo, a BSOD.
Any tips/help on how to proceed?
Thanks in advance.

Cattus,
Thanks for the reply.
I did use BC to create the USB stick. I also tried to create the USB on a WIndows Machine (just in case). But still can't boot from USB. What's the WIndows Utility you mentioned?
Also, according to the this LINK, The firmware for Macmini 3,1 should be MM31.0081.B06 (EFI 1.2).
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Does the Mac Mini Server include iLife?

Hi,
I couldn't find a question to this anywhere...
I'm considering buying a Mac Mini Server soon.
Question - Does the Mac Mini Server include iLife?

When Apple first came out with the Mini with Snow Leopard server, even their sales support people said it came with iLife. (They no longer make that mistake.)
By using the statements of sales support and by referring to the claims on the iLife page (which you quote) -- with some insistence on my part -- I was able to get AppleCare to send me iLife for free. Worth a try. Though frankly, my time would have been better spent just buying the iLife.

Why does it cost $450 to put 8GB into a Refurbished Mac Mini Server?

An 8GB Mac Mini Server has just posted in the refurbished area for $1199. The 4GB model refurbished goes for $749. Other than the RAM, I can find no other difference. Same processor, speed, video, etc.

Actually, I was looking at the two refurbished June 2010 models.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/G0LH0LL/A?fnode=MjMwNjE0ODA&mco=MjQwNTMyMTA
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC438LL/A?fnode=MjMwNjE0ODA&mco=MjMxMjA0MTc
Don't think the 8GB model is going to move very fast unless they run out of 4s.
Love Apple's refurbs but the pricing often doesn't make sense.

Why does Mac Mini Server refuse to accept my Airport WPA password?

I've several Macs all able to access my ADSL net connection with no problems. However I am trying to configure a Mac Mini Server to do so but it keeps asking for the WPA password which I've correctly entered.
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Thanks
Peter

try again. delete the account, and start from scratch. pay real close attention to the password entry, including capitals and any special characters.
At one point i got real frustrated with that same issue. to this day I do not know what the issue was. but i ended up going into my google account from a pc, and changing the password to a new one, then readded the gmail account to the pad and all was well. (you then need to updaye any other devices using the same g mail account)

What's wrong with Mac Mini Server's quality ?

Hi,
I am an owner of the Unibody Mac Mini Server 2010 for my business server.
When i bought it after two days use the HD started to fail. One with bad blocks and the other one with I/O errors. OSX froze many times. Did many tests and it showed bad blocks on one HD the second just failed some times.
The HD that are included are HTS725050A9A362.
I took the Mini to an Authorized Repair place. They replaced one HD. Gave it back to me. I then realized that they only replaced one HD. Took it back again and then they replaced the second one as well. All fine took it back home installed everything again.
I have now use it for 3 months. Couple of weeks ago i woke up to a message box saying that the Mini has beed shutdown by some error. Could not find out what that error was but things looked to be running ok so i left it like that.
Today i woke up to a dead mac mini. It would not boot. It was sitting with the spinning weel so i made a reset of the RAM or whatever it's called you know Command + P + R. That made it go a little bit further. It now stopped with the Folder icon blinking meaning it could not find a boot disk. Hmmmm i thought. This can only be a disk error. Tried to boot with DVD and do repair but it did not work out.
To rescue my data from the second disk i booted in target mode and used my iMac to copy stuff over. Let me tell you that, that was not easy. Target mode worked like ****, maybe because of the first disk which was damaged dunno. When at last i opened the folder with my stuff the copy speed was ok. Funny enough i also managed to copy data from the disk that could not boot in target mode but i can't boot it so the disk is not really dead.
Now my problem is this. What to do ? I have warranty but i have a feeling that theese HD are not reliable so if Apple repairs the Mini again they will replace with the same HD which i am not interested in. I am willing to invest in 2 new HD myself which are not the same brand but i don't want to void the warranty and open the box.
I should add that i have 2 x 4gb memory inserted which is not Apple. I bought exactly what Apple recommend on their web page (CORSAIR 4GB DDR3 1066MHz model. CM3X4GSD1066 G). I do not think this has anything to do with the problems i see but i thought I'll mention it.
I can also mention that after first time the HD died i kept an eye on the temperatures and i had HD temperatures around 35C. The CPU was around 48-50C and the server was idling at 80-85%.
What can you recommend me i do ? Maybe all the problems that i have are just ****** quality by Apple. Maybe they squeezed the internal components to close and they run into these problems. I just don't know what i should do. It's not like that this is a computer...it's a server and MUST run continuously.
donnib

Are you certain the RAM is not causing this issue?
Was the original (2Gb-4Gb) RAM fitted when the 1st issue appeared?
Apple does not offer the current Mac mini + server with 8Gb RAM. It is likely that non OEM RAM can cause corrupted data on the HDD(s).
Is it not possible to fit the original RAM, format/reinstall the HDD and test the Mac mini the way it was shipped?.
The current Mac mini is positioned as a home or small business server plus there is no hardware reporting as found in an X-Serve. The HDD(s) used are as reliable as one would expect from a portable drive. Like the previous Mac mini's, the current models are reliable with few known issues until you replace parts that Apple may not have used in testing.
Since the arrival of the late 2009 mini, Apple uses sensors on the original HDD(s) which cause problems (either no boot or loud fan noise) if a different brand or model is fitted. The HDD needs to be compatible with the sensor(s). The 2010 Mac mini has taken it even further in that respect covering each drive with Mylar wrapping as well as the sensor. Apple really does not want users to swap parts out.

Mac mini Server mid.2010 upgrade to Mavericks?

Hi, my Mac mini Server (2.66GHz Intel Core Duo, 8Gb RAM) running OS X 10.8.5 does not propose me to upgrade to Mavericks through "Software Update". Does it mean it's not safe to upgrade? Why do I read that a Mac Mini more recent than 2009 can run Mavericks?
My Mac Book Air upgraded through "Software Update" so I did not do anything with the Mac mini yet. Any advice on wether to upgrad or not is appreciated. I do not use the Server part, I understand that if I upgrade to Mavericks I'll have to pay for the upgrade of the Server should I need it.
Basically my question is why doesn't the Software Update propose me to upgrade my Mac mini.

OS X Mavericks requires an Early 2009 or newer Mac mini. As your Mac has got an Intel Core Duo processor, you shouldn't be able to upgrade, but to check this, open the Mac App Store and try to download OS X Mavericks. The Mac App Store will show an error if your Mac is not compatible.
If it's compatible, you will have to purchase OS X Server after upgrading. Make a backup of your files with Time Machine and check that your applications are compatible > http://www.roaringapps.com

Cannot print to Mac mini Server print server from MBP

Setup two USB printers on a Mac Mini server, they were recognized and new drivers downloaded. I can print from this machine. I shared them over LPR, IPP and SMB and announced through Bonjour
I installed the printers on a new MBP
When I try to print it starts to spool but the printer goes to pause. If I un pause it just goes back to pause.
The error log said printer does not exist, I have removed and reinstalled the printers - no change
I have no quotas
Firewall ports open
Have tried printing via LPR, IPP using generic PostScript driver and vendor specific
Printer service is up in Server Admin
I have not setup a an LDAP entry for this device as I thought I would not have to - am I worng here
The other odd thing is I have Parallels setup on same MBP and I loaded Bonjour there and it prints fine from the VM - wierd huh?
What have I done wrong here

How do you locate the firewall settings on the server?

2010 Mac mini server remote install OS X failure

I tested re-installing OS X remotely to my 2010 Mac mini server. It worked the first time. I got to the installation process, and abandoned it without actually doing anything.
But when I tried again, it failed, and I have not been able to get it to work ever since. I went to a local Apple shop and tested at its Genius bar. People there cannot figure out the problem. They exchanged my unit for a new one.
I took the new unit home, tried, and it failed again. Then I called Apple Care. They cannot pin-point the problem, but suspected that, since I failed with two units, the problem may be with the computer that has the DVD. I am not sure about his. Here I post my story for help. The details:
1. The OS X Server installation DVD (which came with the mini) was put in a 13" 2009 Macbook Pro. There I ran the Remote Install OS X application. Selected the Installation DVD.
2. Then I started the Mac mini server, holding the down Opt key. The Installation DVD appeared from my local network. However when I selected the DVD and clicked the arrow sign under it, things went wrong. A circle with a line segment appeared briefly (indicating a problem, I think). Then the mini simply went to boot from its own hard drive where the original OS X was.
Help and suggestions are very much appreciated.
Additional information:
Remote Disc works fine. From my Mac mini, after booting into the original OS, I can see and open DVDs in the Macbook Pro.

Target disk mode method works fine. I can boot my mac mini from its installation DVD placed in my macbook pro, connected to the mini through firewire. So I don't think there is any hardware problem.
I played with a few other things. First I used another DVD, this time the one that came with my 2009 macbook pro, a non-server version OS X. When I tried to remote install it to my mini, the mini can still see the DVD but it hung after I chose to boot from it. It just showed a big circle with a line segment. It did not revert to boot the OS on its own hard drive.
Next I again ran remote install on macbook, but booted the mini to its own hard drive. From there
I changed its start up disk to Network Startup, and rebooted. The mini can find nothing on the local network.

Slow Ethernet on Mac mini server

Set up:
Mac Mini Server - Mid 2011 - i7 Quad 2GHz - 8GB RAM - OSX 10.7.3
13" MacBook Pro - Mid 2009 - Core 2 Duo 2.53GHz - 8GB RAM - OSX 10.7.3
Both wired in to Virgin SuperHub Switch/Router and physically next to each other
Hi All,
Bit of a strange one this but I recently upgraded my cable connection to 100MB line from 50MB. As everyone does, the first thing I did was to test my new toy on speedtest.net. I was overjoyed to see my MBP fly directly up to 104Mbps dl speed. However, my Mac Mini Server peaked out at somewhere around the 60Mbps range. At first I thought it was flakey network connection and so duley tested at random intervals during the day, one device after another but always with the same (or similar) result. As stated above the kit is physically next to one another and both on Ethernet. I have also tried swapping over LAN cables, difference ports and new cables all together but no change. Next I tried to change the MTU settings on my Mac Mini Server but again no improvement (plus the MBP is still on the standard Auto config 1000BaseT Full-duplex with a standard Ethernet MTU of 1500.
The hardware spec states that they have slightly difference NIC's installed but the MAC Mini Server is the newer of the two and all software is up to date. Any idea's pls?

Hi BD, thanks for responding again.
I've disabled TM while I test and I dont think Spot light is doing anything. I've also run the test now tens of time at all times of the day.
RE console, i've looked and nothing jumps out (although im no expert there)
Re connection priority, yes top of the list, infact diabled everything else while I test also.
One other point, the Mac Mini Server does have the server addition of Lion OSX, sorry i didnt make this clear earlier. I normally only run the TM, Web, Profie Manager and Files sharing servivces - no are them are under much load at the moment although, again, I even disabled all of these while I test and no change to the result.

Has Apple ditched Mac Mini Server?

Last year I got a Mac Mini Server 2012. It was a fantastic server with 2 HDDs embedded! I have been waiting for an upgrade version. Finally the new Mac Mini series launched a couple of days ago. However, I couldn't find or customise a new model of Mac Mini Server to buy. Did I miss something? Or I have to DIY myself?
By the way, my current Mac Mini Server's Server app (version 3.2.2) can't be loaded after upgrade it to Yosemite. There is no update indication from the App Store. Does it mean that I have to pay to buy Server 4.0.1?

I also think the OS X Server is a good offering, and it has improved with Yosemite too! Better view over access, monitoring of reachable services, SMB3 support for Windows sharing and such. I run it off a Mini Server 2009 still! Had to replace both drives once but otherwise a solid server. Wanting to replace it soon I was sad to see the Mini Server go, especially upgradable RAM and quad core processors. the closest alternative now is oddly the 21'' iMac w 2,7MHz processor and 8GB RAM and 1TB disk and a thunderbolt array for extra storage. Weird looking data center .
Or find an unsold Mini Server at a retailer...

Website on Mac Mini Server not accessible. Error 403 index document not available.

Dear all,
I'm trying to host a website on my Mac Mini Server. As far as I can see, my DNS is working correctly. Also my firewall is setup correctly. (I'm hosting another website which works OK). But I setup a new site. Basically a copy of the working site. But this site doesn't reflect an index.htm page. I receive an Error 403 with further information that there is no index document or that the site is secured. There is a contact link on this page directing to my webmaster. So I conclude that something is working, but no index.htm page. Has anyone similar experience? And offcourse a solution?
Many thanks.

Launch Terminal.app and issue the commands:
cd /Library/Webserver/Documents/
ls -al
And see if the files are readable by the web server. Here's an example index file listing that's owned by root and with group access for admin folks, and this file is marked as readable and writable for the owner and the group, and is readable for everybody else:
-rw-rw-r-- 1 root admin 5094 Jul 25 2009 index.html
In this configuration, the web server would be using the other access; the web server can read this file, but not write to it. Here is how to duplicate these ownership and access settings on your own index.html file, assuming that you have that file present in the ls listing above, and assuming that you have issued the cd (change default directory) command shown above:
sudo chown root:admin index.html
sudo chmod ug=rw,o=r index.html
You will need to enter your administrative password for the sudo command.
I would very strongly suggest that you start learning some basics of bash and of Apache, because you're going to be needing those skills very soon.

How to set up my mac mini server to use two drives seamlessly?

I have a mid 2010 mac mini server, with OSX Lion installed. It has dual 500gb hard drives.
I've been moving all my important files to it, and I've always assumed that once I filled one disc, it would seamlessly transfer over to the other and continue backing up. This does not seem to be the case.
I'm at roughly 495gb of data, and when I try to move a 10gb file onto my server, it tells me that I don't have enough disc space to continue the operation.
What can I do to make use of both drives?
-Thanks

It sounds like what you're asking for is to have the two drives in a RAID 0, where the two 500 Gb drives look like a single 1 Tb drive. I'm not sure the exact procedure for installing RAID 0 on a mini's internal drives, but the process would involve backing up, reconfiguring for RAID (which destroys all data,) restoring data from the backup, and more risk than I would personally find acceptable. I'd expect to lose a full day with the backup and restore steps. I can guarantee, there will be pain.
Instead, I'd suggest looking at what's consuming the 500Gb, and seeing if there are particular folders that can be moved. For example, a shared folder is pretty easy. Copy it over. In file sharing setup, edit the share to point to the new location. Make sure remote users disconnect, and reconnect to the "new" share. When you're happy there is no data loss, delete the old location.
User's home directories can also move, but the process has a few more steps, and depends on how the accounts are built (local vs. OD)
If the majority of the data is in a single "your backup files" folder, shared or otherwise, then I would just set up a second folder on the second drive and write to it, leaving the first alone. If it is truly a backup, then you could make the first folder read-only at this point for extra protection. If you go the 2 folder route, keep in mind your boot drive is operating with 1% free space, I like my drives to have at least 15% free, and OS drives more like 25% (you'll find some range in recommended %-free, but most will agree 1% is too little) so move SOME stuff to the new folder, before closing the old.

Using a Mac Mini Server as a traditional stand alone desktop

Hello all, currently I have a late 2008 model 17" MacBook pro, Time Capsule, Apple TV and an Iphone 3GS and Ipod Traditional. I would like to add a desktop system to coordinate all of these items, to be the centerpiece is you will, in my home. I'm interested in buying a mac mini, I began to do research however and saw the Mac Mini Server which has greater memory capacity 4GB vs 2GB RAM, and dual 500Gb vs the standard Mac Mini which has one at 320GB. I would like to take advantage of these upgrades as I'm a writer and will be constantly on the web for work as well as likely keep a lot of items on the hard drive.
However I noticed the Mac Mini server utilizes Mac OSX snow leopard SERVER as opposed to the user grade Mac OSX. *My question is if the Mac Mini Server with MAC OSX server can still be used as a stand alone desktop, connecting it to a spare LCD television I have and a mac wireless keyboard/mouse?*
I'm aware that unlike the other mac mini and imacs it does not come with ilife and other pre-installed software, and *I want to know if it's still possible to purchase after market and install said software utilizing them in the traditional manor?*
Thank you in advance for any feedback you can provide and I apologize if my question was difficult to comprehend due to my lack of computer knowledge. I also apologize if this question is similar to others you've received lately as I did a quick scan of google and these forums and did not seem to find the specific answer I was looking for.

Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Let me clear up a misperception that you have. Both the Mac mini and the Mac mini Server have a capacity to address 8 GB of RAM. There are two SO-DIMM slots in each model. The mac mini comes preconfigured by Apple with 2 GB of RAM (2 x 1 GB). The mini Server comes preconfigured with 4 GB of RAM (2 x 2 GB). You can buy and install yourself up to 8 GB of RAM (2 x 4 GB).
You can even install Mac OS X Snow Leopard client, which will meet your needs a bit better than Server, now that folks have figured out how to do it;
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2539663&tstart=0
And yes you can buy and install iLife, and pretty much everything else that you want to include in your kit. Either model of mini works fine with wireless keyboards and mouses. If your LCD TV has an HDMI port, then a simple HDMI to HDMI cable would be the simplest manner to connect it to the mini.
Dah•veed

Is the mac mini server the same hardware as the other mac minis (except for the quad core i7 and dual hard drives) with different software or is it configured differently?

I have a mac mini with an i7 dual core processor. It is perceptably slower than my macbook pro with a quad core i7. Does the mac mini server have the same hardware configuation as the regular mac mini with server software or is the hardware different (aside from the i7 quad core and dual hard drives)? I want a mini with a quad core i7...

Your assumption is correct. The server does however only
have the Intel HD3000 graphics like the base model with
no option, at this time, for the discrete graphics chip. So,
depending on what you are using it for, that could be a deal
breaker. Remember that your MBP does have a discrete
graphics chip.
I have a 2011 Mini Server connected to a Thunderbolt display
that gets used as an engineering workstation and general
personal use (some photo editing, LP restoraton, general
internet browsing). You simply just not enable any of the
server services. I find the combination to work quite well
for my purposes. I also have a 13" 2.7 GHz i7 Macbook Pro
which is pretty much strictly for work. As far as CPU
power it is pretty much equivelent to your Mini. For the most
part I find the Mini does outperfom my MBP. I heavily use
Parallels and Windows7 virtual machines, so the more cores
the better.
So, If you do a lot of CPU intensive stuff that is multithreaded,
the Server may help. If it is graphics intensive and your software
heavily leaverages the GPU, you may actually take a hit on
performance.

Mac Mini Server (Announced October 20, 2009) - Does it do RAID1?

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