Mac Mini Server Drive Configuration

When ordering a Mac Mini Server, under hard drive selections the fourth option down is Two 750GB 7200 drives and a 256GB SSD It lists it as 2x750GB + 256 SSD. This indicates to me that you are getting the server with three drives, Two SATA 750GB and one SSD 256GB. I was under the impression that the Mini would only hold two hard drives? I opened two different Chat sessions with Apple and also made a call to sales and they all assured me that this is correct. Can anyone offer any insight? I would like to make sure before I order.

Another discussion on same topic https://discussions.apple.com/message/16024311#16024311
Seems like the Mini Server has more space in it so it can hold the three drives.
But haven't myself seen one in real life so I can't compare.
Stefan

Similar Messages

Mac Mini OSX 10.6.5 config w/ cable/modem-AEBS-mac mini server

I'm new to OSX server, and have recently had to change locations of a OSX 10.6.5 Mac Mini. I am setting it up now as a home server and need to access from outside the home. I have had a wonderfully operating AEBS for many years, but once I started trying to set-up the mac mini server, I started having problems configuring the server to play nicely with the AEBS.
Back to basics, because for what I need the AEBS is sufficient (and technically capable) of acting in concert with my mini server (from all I've read, anyway). I just cannot configure them correctly without causing problems.
Equipment:
AEBS w/ version 7.4.1
Mac Mini OSX 10.6.5
iMac OSX 10.6.5
(2) MacBook Pros 10.6.5
(2) iPhones IOS 4.2
I have a static (known) IP from my ISP. I have no problem with configuring the AEBS to work with everything, until I plug in the mac mini. I realize the older configuration for the prior server set-up is incorrect, but making minor adjustments for moving to a AEBS from the Cisco UC500 set-up has been greater than my technological experience.
I am versed in networking, but cannot seem to get the correct configuration, and the only thing the Apple manuals have is a 'possibility' this can be done, but no specifics I can find for controlling the AEBS settings from the mac mini when connected on the LAN port of the AEBS (that's when the problems start).
Here's where I've tried and cannot access the Serv Admin program when I connect the mac mini to the AEBS LAN port:
(1) changed AEBS Connection sharing to Share a public ip address
(which I understand makes "advanced" "port mapping" possible)
(2) set AEBS Internet connection to connect to router on 192.168 network
(3) set AEBS to offer DHCP in 10.0.1 range
(4) set AEBS capsule own address to be 10.0.1.1
PLUG in ethernet cable to Mac Mini and Time Capsule
Activate Ethernet and deactivate Airport
(5) set Mac Mini Server Manual ip address to 10.0.1.2
(6) set Mac Mini Server DNS addresses to 127.0.0.1, 10.0.1.1
(7) set Mac Mini Server / Server Admin / DNS / Zones / Machine name / IP Address = 10.0.1.2
Any advice on where to start trouble-shooting?

The AEBS gets your public static IP address, and otherwise performs NAT.
(The AEBS is a good home box, but not a server-grade firewall. I do run AEBS and Time Capsule boxes, but these are generally operated as WiFi Access Points (what Apple calls "bridging"), and not as WiFi routers, and definitely not as server gateways.)
The AEBS DHCP server configuration for DNS services is set with the IP address of your new server; that's your DNS server now. Caution: +There are no references to ISP DNS nor other DNS servers.+ You're running DNS (well, you will be soon), so your local network will be configured differently than a client network.
Your Mac Mini Server is configured in a /24 subnet in one of the private blocks (eg: 10.0.0.0/8) somewhere. This for future VPNs, as everything on the planet is crammed in a few 192.168.0.0/16 subnets.
The AEBS DHCP server can be used to pass out a pool of addresses in that private /24, but the server must have a static IP address.
[Get your DNS services going for your LAN now.|http://labs.hoffmanlabs.com/node/1436] Don't skip this step. DNS is essential to servers, and you'll be serving DNS on your LAN. I'd suggest a real and registered domain here or a subdomain of a real and registered domain, as changing domain names on a network is an increasing pain in the rump as the network scales up.
For DNS services, your Mac Mini (and only your Mac Mini) will refer only to itself via the 127.0.01 on its network controller. (This is an odd case; the box is referring to itself, so it's the IP loopback address and not your LAN static IP address.) Everything else on your LAN will refer to the static IP address of your Mac Mini DNS server either via static configuration, or via the AEBS DHCP server's DNS setting referencing your Mac Mini server that are received from the DHCP server with a dynamic address.
Work your way up to configuring Open Directory (LDAP), and Kerberos, then configure the rest of the accouterments.

What is "best practice" to set up and configure a Mac Mini server with dual 1 TB drives, using RAID 1?

I have been handed a new, out of the box, Mac Mini server. Has two 1 TB drives in it. Contractor suggested RAID 1 for the set up. I have done some research
and found out that in creating the software RAID, this takes away the recovery partition, so I have been reading up on how to create a recovery "disk" using a thumb drive. this part of the operation I am comfortable with, but there are other issues/concerns that I have.
Basically, what is the "best practice" to setup the Mini, configure the RAID and then start the server. I am assuming the steps would be something like this:
1) start up the Mini and run through the normal Maverick setup/config - keep it plain and vanilla
2) grab a copy of the Server app and store it offline in a safe place
3) perform the RAID configuration / reinstall of OS X Maverick using the recovery tools
4) copy down and start the server app
This might be considered a very simplified version of this article (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4886 - Mac mini server (Late 2012 and Mid 2011): How to install OS X Server on a software RAID volume), with the biggest difference being I grab a copy of the Server App off of the mini before I reinstall, since I did not purchase it from the App store, but rather it came with the mini.
Is there a best practice / how-to tutorial somewhere that I can follow/learn from? Am I on the right track or headed for a train wreck?
thanks in advance

I think this article will answer your question. Hope this helps: http://wisebyte.blogspot.com/2014/01/best-configuration-for-mac-mini-server.html

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.

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.

Can I run 4 super drives with my Mac Mini Server

I have Lion Server downloaded to my Mac Mini (set up as a TV server) and would like to be able to access the 4 USB Super Drive ports via other Mac Mini's in other rooms, 2 Apple TV's if possibe through Apple TV software and maybe Macbook Pro via AirPlay. Are these things possible. The Mac Mini Server is the Best Home television distribution network. Cheaper hardware and fast internet connection based on devices. The above is my goal.
My individual questions...
Can I place 4 Super Drives in the 4 USB slots and run them?
What is the most effiecent way to be able to server those drives on ONLY my Apple Network (other Mac Mini and 2 Apple TV's)
Can I access multiple drives at once from different devices on my Apple Network?
Can I restrict access to teen and child users based on the TV Rating displayed on DVD in Super Drive? (ex: iTunes recognizes CD's by times of songs and digital fingerprint when I input my Store bought CD or adds it to the Database if its a new title.)
These would help so much!
Thanks,
Stefan
Have any questions on how to turn your Mac into a home Multimedia System, ask.

no
a dvd drive can never be shared over a network in order to play the dvd drives content
the dvd encryption makes this imposible
you have to rip (which is illegal) each dvd disc to a computer in order to do what you wish to do
and it's not an apple thing it's the case no matter which computer you own

Mac mini server: Hardware test error on Hard Drive

Mac mini server: Hardware test error on Hard Drive
'checking for slow read failures': ERROR - Target device access failure - Test failed.
CAN I ACCESS HD (which is our data server) EVER AGAIN? IF SO, HOW?
Meanwhile we wonder if this is really a hardware error. It all happened during writing a time machine backup.
Probably while writing it, some data was relocated by accident, but we can not 100%-sure remember the sequence of actions :/
This is our trauma history:
- time machine got increasingly slower in writing a backup
- we quit the backup
- we switched off the mac mini (on power button)
- we switched on the mac mini
- we stopped time machine to the rules
- we shut down mac mini via command
- we booted the mac mini in save mode
- we see a loading bar
- no progress after 10th of loading bar
- switched off (power button)
- when we now switch on the loading bar below the apple-logo is all we see + the little wheel
- we started with cmd+alt+p+r pressed
- mac mini restarted but showed the loading bar scenario without progress again
- we started with 'd' pressed and did the hardware test (see above)
- we started with 'alt' pressed but it does not give us the recoverydrive to run the last backup
ANY IDEAS?
IS IT A SOFTWARE- OR HARDWARE ERROR?
THX IN ADVANCE!

BDAqua wrote:
I thnk Intenal 2.5" Drives for servers is silly, & Ithink the Minis & iMacs re poorly cooled.
I'd get Temprature Monitor & see what temps they're running.
Is Temperature Monitor an app or a device? If it's a temperature problem then that is essentially a design problem. Two drive failures in the same Mac mini server in four months combined with the fact that they're not really user serviceable already has me 90% on the way back to more pragmatically designed Linux servers. I think it would be foolish to waste any more money on these minis for my business hosting.

Cannot see Mac Mini Server from Internet: DynDNS alias gets thru cable modem to wireless router, not to the Mac Mini. How to configure?

I want to make my Mac Mini Server (Lion) visible to the Internet from my home LAN. I have followed the Lion server install wizards and also set up a dynamic DNS at DynDNS.com.
When I enter the Internet address with the proper alias from a web browser, I get dumped into the admin screen of the Linksys wireless router WRT300N. Hint: the WRT300N provides DHCP for the LAN, not the cable modem providing DHCP. The WRT300N has DDNS service set up. NAT and RIP are disabled. The Mac Mini DHCP is reserved.
Suggestions? I could use the Motorola Surfboard SB6121 to provide DHCP but have hesitations.
Point me to the right discussion/article and get me back on track, please.

This sounds like a simple port forwarding issue, but I don't understand your LAN setup.
The WRT300N has DDNS service set up. NAT and RIP are disabled.
The chances are, you're running NAT somewhere in your network. If not the WRT then what? If it's your cable modem then you must have port forwarding configured on the cable modem, and that's where you need to focus - change the port forwarding to point to your Mac Mini's address rather than the WRT.
HOWEVER, it is far more common to have the wireless router perform NAT and DHCP, which is why I question your setup.
Not directly related, but:
The Mac Mini DHCP is reserved
Nix this. Your server should be configured manually, with a static IP address, not DHCP, even with a reservation in the DHCP server. The only advantage of DHCP is for dynamic hosts (hence the 'D' in 'DHCP') or if you expect to change your entire local subnet on any kind of frequent basis. The reality is that you can't just change the IP address of Mac OS X Server like this - there are too many dependencies, so it's better to set it manually, knowing that there's a cost (and pain) to change the server's address.

One Drive on Mac Mini Server not indexing - no spotlight or finder results

I have two drives on my Mac mini server. No RAID, etc. They are factory config 500G each.
The "main" drive has all the applications, desktop, etc on it and indexes fine, I can search or spotlight with no problem.
Anything on the other disk works fine, but is not searchable. Is there a setting that I have turned off search on that other drive? Is there a way to force a re-index, etc.

Look in System Preferences > Spotlight > privacy tab > See if the drive is listed in the exclusion list. If so highlight and press the "-" icon below the list to allow indexing. It will start immediately after you remove it from this list.
Regards,
Captfred

I just purchased the Mac Mini Server with the intention of replacing Lion Server with Lion for the first hard drive while installing Windows 7 thru Bootcamp on the second hard drive. Is it possible for me to do this? Thanks.

I just purchased the Mac Mini Server with the intention of replacing Lion Server with Lion for the first hard drive while installing Windows 7 thru Bootcamp on the second hard drive. Is it possible for me to do this? Thanks.

I would use Parallels or VMWare and use the second drive to hold the virtual machine. That way the VM only uses the space that it needs and you can still use the remainder of the drive for other things, not to mention that you would not need to reboot to run windows.
Also Time Machine does not back up a boot camp partition.

New Mac Mini Server, two Hard drives, Can I install an older Mac OS on the second drive and switch start up disks to run PowerPc applications?

New Mac Mini Server, has two Hard drives, could I install an older Mac OS on the second drive and switch start up disks to run PowerPc applications?

I haven't purchased a Mac Mini at this time and I may not if I can't use it as a non server. I need to update my system I would be better off buying a new Mac with Snow Leopard the last app that will run Rosetta. The Mac Mini Server has a quad 2.0 processor and 4 GB RAM and two internal hard drives and should out perform my dual 1.25 G4. I can run PPC apps on my G4 but it is 8+ years old and seems to be getting noisy. I don't want to tie myself to another old machine. I want a machine that will work with Intel Apps I was hoping that the two hard drives would allow me to boot from the second with Snow Leopard and use Lion on the first drive to be able to keep up to date with all my other universal apps and Mac OS up grades. The application I use the most is my CanvasX app with drawing & vector effects, text & typography, sprite technology, painting, image editing, and multimedia tools are all in this one app but will not be updated to run Intel apps. I am frozen in time because my most valuable Application won't be updated and Apple has cut me off by not supporting PPC in Lion and onward; Apple used to backward support but I guess that they are no longer as user friendly and concerned with a happy user. I have always been a loyal Mac user and I will not migrate to Windows under any circumstance; I hate windows!
Thanks for your prompt response,
Dick Deaton

Configuring Mac Mini Server via Airport Extreme via Netopia Modem

Can any anyone help me with the settings to allow internet access to my Mac Mini Server by a Web browser. What way to you configure the modem and extreme. The modem seems to want to duplicate a lot of the features of the extreme in it a has its own port forwarding etc. I have manually set all devices with fixed ip addressas it shares the net work with a Windows SBS. I have a static IP Address and Domain name registered and hosted dns has the domain tranfered. Nat is enabled and ftp, itunes ports open.
Internet is working on the local network which has a 3 Capsules, IMac, and 2 apple TV's all working and streaming from the server. Running Lion from last week.
Would appreciate any help as this is is my first time to use the forum.
Thanks again.

First welcome to the discussions.
To set up the client you'll first have to ask the Network Administrator for the name of the VPN server. The username and other details you will need to log on.
You will also need to find out if the VPN uses PPTP or L2TP over IP Sec. with that information in hand open Internet connect in the Applications folder choose NEW VPN Connection then you click on either PPTP or L2TP whichever the network uses, then click continue in the confiquration pop up menu, Choose Edit confiqurations Then enter the information the Network administrator gave you.
Bear in mind that the OSX client does not work with all VPN's.
You may have to purchase a universal VPN client such as VPN Tracker from Equinux ($90.00).
http://www.equinux.com
Good Luck Don

Mac Mini Server Database Set-up - Configure & Implement Help

I have a database developer who is fluent in PC languages but not fluent with Macs who need serious help setting up my new database solution using my new Mac Mini Server running Lion 10.7.2. They are lacking the Mac knowledge - but are working on building my database / website solution - to be implementated on the Mac Mini Server.
Quickly...Here's what we are building. I own an Event Photography business specializing in Youth Sports. I bring all the Mac system Computers, (MacBook Pro's, 8 iPad 2's, AirPort Extreme, Mac Mini Server). *Important Note* - we will not ever have internet connection. We will offer photos taken directly at the Event...to View & Order via our wireless iPads (used simply for viewing photos). Customers are "viewing" photos from the iPads - accessing photos from our (off-line) website / database Hosted locally on our Mac Mini Server. All our Mac Computers are "wired" / connected / to the AirPort Extreme and "shared" on a local net (again with No-internet access).
Is there anyone out there who can help them by phone / internet / shared screen etc. to HELP SET UP THE MAC MINI SERVER - to make the database work? They need help with PHP, My SQL, Apachee set-up & configure questions.
This all sounds very complex to a Non-Database guy...but probably a simple check-list walk-thru helpful guide - for someone who's more knowledgeable with working with the Mac Mini Server.
Thanks....Anyone??

well to be honest I wanted a server to run more aspects of what I do privately (rather tahn at work) rather than use hosted accounts from disparate hosted providers on line. In partcular wanted a mail server to handle multiple mail domains, wiki server, web sever as per mail server and I was interested in what they would provide for iphone ipad etc as I have a few that I wanted to link to a server rather than individual macs and pcs
I also thought that Apple might bring their abilities to creating a great UI for essentially linux operating systems to a server os.
from initial views though it might have been easier (cheaper) to go to ubuntu and just their server version of linux. Anyway I will persist - I will read through the stuff you guys have linked me to - colinsolutions appears to have aimed me at some useful stuff. Looks like a bigger "project" than i imagined - but I havent looked at UNIX since 1986 so if I have to get into the command line it wont kill me I am sure.
thanks for the input - if anyone else can suggets good resources that would be appreciated.
ps simon - i found that the name for the server with the .local extension is visibile from the mac via finder and allows me to connect to the shared folder. so my server is sdhome - the shared resource is sdhome.local ... not sure if this helps but...

Primary drive on a Mac Mini server ?

Hi all: When I first picked up my 2011 mac mini server I immediately reformatted the drives and created a Riad 1 array. After a while, I decided to go back to a two disk arrangement. Since then my mini have worked OK but sometimes drops connections to client machines (all OS X ML) and generally seems a bit slow. When I did the second moved back to a two drive setup, I did not know which drive should be the primary OR if it even mattered. So that is my question: Does it matter which drive is primary? and if so, how do I identify the primary?
Thanks a bunch, Chris.

moseman wrote:
When I killed the RAID I reformatted both drives and started from scratch. It was at this point that I was faced with picking one drive to hold the OS. I did not know which drive to use, or if it even made a difference.
As I mentioned, immediately after spliting the RAID both drives will be 100% identical so it would not matter which you made the OS one. There would be no difference in content or performance (assuming they are the same model drive).
As soon as you start using one of the split drives you would then be making changes compared to the other.

Mac Mini server 2010 (no modifications) Panics & Drive issues

Hey guys,
I've been having some issues with a 2010 Mini server (stock 4gb with no modifications) It's crashing at least daily, sometimes greyscreen panics, sometimes retaining mouse input, but nothing responding that requires disk use. (You can move windows around etc but not load anything that isn't already visible or interact with finder)
I've had issues with one of the hard drives before with it disappearing from disk utility (even booted into command line) , and system profiler giving a "There was an error while scanning for Serial-ATA devices" error.
I've had it in at the genius bar before, they found nothing wrong and had the drives mount fine. I had put it down to a lose connection as the guy said he had reseated the drives and had no problems.
Anyway, like I said its been crashing pretty much daily so I decided to bite the bullet and erase & reinstall the OS, and that led me to new error logs to work with!
What do you think? I should also note it was installed from a usb superdrive (the ones which came out with the Macbook Air's)
error log file: http://d.pr/xYok

I had been running my Mac Mini Server with both drives striped as RAID 0 up until a few weeks ago. In the middle of the night the Mac Mini Server rebooted and when I tried to login the next morning, it never finished. I booted from my backup clone drive and ran Disk First Aid on the RAID volume and it reported that my only choice was to reformat. Since it's kind of risky to be running a striped array anyway, I chose to reformat as individual drives.
After rearranging everything so the data would fit on the two volumes, I started having some problems with my media drive that I use for video editing. Disk First Aid didn't report any serious problems, but I downloaded SMART Utility and it reported the drive is FAILING. So, I have lost all confidence in the second drive (lower) and have an SSD on order to set up as my boot volume as a replacement.
BTW, when I called Apple about this problem, they said I could take the Mac Mini Server into an Apple Store and it would take 3-5 days for them to evaluate it and repair, if necessary. Since the closest Apple Store is 65 miles away and I can't do without the server for that long, I'm eating the cost of the failed drive and I guess I'll just live with that. But it doesn't give me a lot of confidence in the other drive and this isn't the first problem I've had with this Mac Mini Server.
Dennis

Mac Mini Server Drive Configuration

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for