Mac OS X Server: the best option?

Question

We are an expanding small design/web creation business moving soon from 6 to 9 team members. Workstations are all stand-alone in terms of software, which ranges from Office X to full Macromedia Studio suite etc. running over a wireless 11g network and 8Mbps DSL. Macs range from G5 PPC's to latest intel chip iMacs and MacBook Pros (oh, and a Sony Vaio desktop PC) . I would be really grateful if the group would comment/confirm if Mac OS X server would be a logical step and be worth the expense - literally but also in the time required to learn/setup/run (I do have a technical background)!
I am thinking of running Mac OS X server from an existing G5 PPC (1.6GHz, 768Mb, 80HD) - have looked at the Xserve, we simply do not have the space/infrastructure for a rack solution. My reasons for looking at a OS X Server are:
- Minimise time spent on maintenance: boot all mac workstations from single OS image on the server - use this to mainatain latest updates.
- Centralise storage and backup: plan to use an external hot-swap RAID.
- Split workstations into defined groups: 'admin' (using mainly office) and 'designer' (creative software) and manage access rights to files.
- provide more integrated iCal, Mail and Address Book services (not sure what is on offer as we already do some of this via .Mac).
It makes sense to me to run network versions of core software (from the server), but I understand that this is not possible - or cost is prohibitive? We also have various individual requirements, for example people using laptops at work, home or travelling (how do they tap into the server, what would the benefit be) and also the need for considerable amounts of HD memory for the designers...
My apologies for typing so much, but wanted to give an overall status - so have I missed anything? What more can OS X Server bring to make our lives more effiecient/effective?!! I'm itching to buy a copy, but really need to justify it.
Thanks...

Answer 1

Hi & welcome to the forums.
running over a wireless 11g network
As designers, most likely working with large files, you will appreaciate wires if you can get them in.
I would be really grateful
if the group would comment/confirm if Mac OS X server
would be a logical step and be worth the expense -
literally but also in the time required to
learn/setup/run (I do have a technical background)!
Yes, definitely.
I am thinking of running Mac OS X server from an
existing G5 PPC (1.6GHz, 768Mb, 80HD)
Fine. Remember you have the option of a 10-user version of Mac OS X Server software. This will save you plenty of £'s.
boot all mac
workstations from single OS image on the server - use
this to mainatain latest updates.
NetBoot (as this is called) would be a non-starter over a wireless network. In any case, the time spent config'g, tweaking, troubleshooting, and downtime (due to sngle point of failure) with netboot can be extensive.
I suggest you spend your time creating a perfect, STABLE, master image, then distribute this to other machines using NetRestore. Maintain a list of changes/updates to the cleints and update your image every 6 months or so.
- Centralise storage and backup: plan to use an
external hot-swap RAID.
Good idea.
- Split workstations into defined groups: 'admin'
(using mainly office) and 'designer' (creative
software) and manage access rights to files.
Good idea. You can use WorkGroup Maanager to fine tune what users are able to see on the network, which applications they are able to use and how their desktops appear. This can be done at User, Group or Computer level.
- provide more integrated iCal, Mail and Address Book
services (not sure what is on offer as we already do
some of this via .Mac).
Mail, yes.
Unfortunately iCal & AddressBook are still non-starters in terms of multi-user sharing. Look to Leopard in Q2 2007 to update this.
It makes sense to me to run network versions of core
software (from the server), but I understand that
this is not possible - or cost is prohibitive?
Just run your apps locally. Especially if you only have wireless.
We
also have various individual requirements, for
example people using laptops at work, home or
travelling (how do they tap into the server, what
would the benefit be)
VPN is your friend.
Also, look into Mobile Home Directories which will sync your users's data to/from the server at each login. When they are awy from the office they will have all their files with them. And you will have a server-side copy for your backups.
My apologies for typing so much, but wanted to give
an overall status - so have I missed anything?
Probably
On the fly, I would say look outside of OSX Server for your mailserver.
FTP services are also weak in OSX Server.
There are lots of 3rd party options for both, though.
What
more can OS X Server bring to make our lives more
effiecient/effective?!! I'm itching to buy a copy,
but really need to justify it.
Full server documentation is here at http://www.apple.com/server/documentation/ Take a look at Appendix B of the Getting Started guide for a practical example of how a setup like yours may be config'd.
Hope this helps,
b.