"Normal" Mac OS on an XServe

I have recently obtained a DP 2.3GHz G5 XServe. Before it gets used as a server (if ever), I wish to generally play around with it, try things out, etc., while learning. As part of this whole process, I would like to try running it as a normal computer. Apart from the obvious loss of server features, are there any adverse side-effects, risks, etc. involved with installing a standard version of Mac OS X - in this case, 10.4.11 - on this XServe. I'm fairly sure that there would be no potential for hardware damage. I have found a PCI video card which works with it, so any experimenting will be done on the machine, as opposed to remotely on a "headless" server. I'm just wondering if the XServe actually needs the server version of the OS or whether it can quite happily run any Mac OS X version which can be installed on it. It does boot quite OK from a standard Mac OS X 10.4 Install DVD, but I have not yet tried installing because of the hard drive needing to be replaced (still waiting for the new one to arrive). All comments are eagerly anticipated, especially those based on experience of having done something similar. How would this machine, running the normal version of the OS, compare with a "normal" desktop DP 2.3GHz G5?

Well! The service source PDF I had consulted was the October 11, 2004 version. I found an updated version (March 11, 2005) which has changed the pictures and description on page 16 to match the RAID card manual. At least now I can sleep in peace on that matter.
However, I think the two FireWire 800 ports on the back of the XServe are dead. I have tried resetting the PMU (CUDA button) and PRAM, Open Firmware (reset-nvram, set-defaults & reset-all), starting in Safe Mode, and have tried a known good drive using known good cables in a known good external casing which has USB, FW400 and FW800 ports. This external drive shows up when connected via USB, FW400 (into the FW400 port on the front), and also from the hard drive's FW800 port via a FW800 to FW400 adapter cable going into the front FW400 port on the XServe. The only way it does not show up is via a FW800 cable from the drive's FW800 port to either of the FW800 ports on the back of the XServe.
I think I have covered most of the usual troubleshooting options. Is there anything I can try in Terminal? Might there be a connector (for the FW800 ports) somewhere inside the XServe which could have become unplugged sometime in the past (before I acquired it)? System Profiler shows the FireWire Bus as having a maximum speed of 800 Mb/sec, but it also show "Unknown Device" even when nothing is plugged into any of the FireWire ports. Disk Utility shows nothing. I have also tried booting from an internal drive with OS X Server (10.4.11) installed, just in case there was something in the "normal" version of the OS software that might be affecting things. I observed no difference.
I can live without FW800 but it would be nice to have it available if possible. Does anyone have any ideas on other hardware or software approaches to try? It's not worth replacing the logic board (if that's what is required) - I may as well put that cost toward something more up to date. Is there any diagnostic software, similar to the hardware test disc's for eMac's and other models, which will work on an XServe? I have had a brief look at the XServe Remote Diagnostics, and it is very technical (command line stuff, NetBoot, extra computer needed, etc.) compared with booting from a CD/DVD.

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Change from case-sensitive disk format to the normal Mac OS Extended.

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I have no external HD fitted, but I do have some DVD-Rs. I need to restore the data from 2 users, including iTunes and iPhoto files.
What's the best way to achieve this?
Many thanks,
Tris.

I just got off of the phone with Adobe support. They told me they knew the solution, but that they would not tell me tonight. I had to call back between 6:00 am and 5:00 PM tomorrow. That does not work with my schedule. So I googled some stuff and found that Adobe CS 3 is not supported with Case-Sensitive file systems. So OK, let me install this to my other MAC that has a non case sensitive drive. Same error. Even though I have a non case-sensitive drive, the OS is on a Case-Sensitive Drive and I am never prompted where to install like most all other Mac Software.
I have always formatted case-sensitive. So I am thinking to myself why not start using a non case-sensitive drive. Well, to start off I want it case sensitive. I enjoy web programming and like this feature. Sure it is not needed, but I am glad Apple offered me a choice. And I am sure there are many other reasons why to use it. Also I would be interested in knowing why non case-sensitive drives are supperior.
Why is this a requirement now? I have used Adobe software in the past without this specific issue. I also have Large TB drives and do not know how to 'safely' do this. You will not catch me jumping through this hoop. I will not risk the change to the file system. And I can not be expected to format my drive. I just wonder what Adobe would say tomorrow if I called.
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Wow, I just can't believe this and the lack of interest Adobe had with me.
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We have 2 Mac Pros and 4 Xserve Raids-

I have 2 Mac Pros and 4 Xserve Raids and want to do a quick fix. I want to hook them all to gather so we can share assets for Final Cut Pro. We have a Fiber Switch and tons of cable. I know that I can’t work on the same project file as the other machine. but can we use the same assets? And will the drives just mount to both of our machines if I just connect them all to the Fiber Switch?
We are planning on an Xsan later this year just not any time to do it.
Oh and a little off subject but can an Xserve Raid mount through the Gigabit connection? I want to connect a couple of laptops to edit some XDCAM video at 35Mbs a sec. Or will I have to wait till we put the Xsan in? Or do all the machines hooked though the Xsan have to be Fiber Channel?
thanx for any help,
Dan.

+I have 2 Mac Pros and 4 Xserve Raids and want to do a quick fix. I want to hook them all to gather so we can share assets for Final Cut Pro.+
You can do this but you're begging for trouble. Really. It could be possible to mount shares as read-only on one machine and writable on the other and at least make resources available but if you really want to do this then a SAN is what you want/need. If you're in too much of a rush to implement a proper SAN system you're also in too much of a rush to reproduce a project file or replace a source file that has been corrupted and lost because someone clicked on the wrong thing. Think about it.
+Oh and a little off subject but can an Xserve Raid mount through the Gigabit connection?+
If you're running server you can share out over ether as remote mount via afp or smb but I don't think this is what you're asking. Fibre is the only way to directly mount a drive directly to the desktop and edit video from it if that's what you mean.
+Or do all the machines hooked though the Xsan have to be Fiber Channel?+
XSAN is also *fibre only*. Ether is packeted and out of order and has latency and a bunch of other problems as a streamed data delivery system. You need fibre.
HTH,
=Tod

Start up screen shows code, before going to normal mac interface.

I am setting up my mac mini to a non-apple monitor and for some reason the switch on screen shows reams of code before finally going to the usual mac interface. How do I get it to stop doing this? I just want it to look like a normal Mac!! I am running leopard but it was also there on earlier tiger software. I have tried looking at utilities accounts etc but can't find anything that sorts this back to normal Cheers Martin

If you run 'nvram -p' does it show 'bootargs -v'?
If that is the case, this is not code. Rather, it is the normal boot up chatter, which can be suppressed by removing the '-v' from bootargs.

Windows XP users can't access SMB/CIFS shares on MAC OSX10.4.4 Xserve bug?

The Xserves are new for us. This problem involves two of the 10.4 xerserves.
1 serves as an Open Directory System Master(10.4.3). 2 Serves as a file share & backup (10.4.4).
Both are production machines and cannot easily be restarted.
There is no Windows network, Active Directory or Windows domain in our network.
We created a SMB and AFP share on the file server which is a member of the Open Directory. (It is bound and kerberized to server 1).
The users all have accounts in the OD system and all passwords are Open Directory. Our users can ssh into the various xserves (including the file share server 2) and authenticate against OD.
We made the shares available via smb under Protocols --> Windows File Settings. We turned the Windows Service on in Server Admin. I'ts a standalone server and all the authentication types are checked under access.
The MAC (powerbook) users can access the share fine. The Windows users can't. The Windows laptops can see the file share server (through search - not visable is Network Neighborhood) but when they try and connect they are presented by an authentication box that just keeps cycling over and over regardless of what the user types as user name & passwd.
I tried to access the smb share with my powerbook(10.4.4) and have the same issue. I'm presented with an authentication box but authentication fails.
The Windows File Service Log shows:
auth.c:checkntlmpassword(312)
checkntlmpassword: Authentication for user [csmith] -> [csmith] FAILED with error NTSTATUS_WRONGPASSWORD
[2006/02/24 21:52:03, 1] authods.c:opendirectory_authuser(212)
User "csmith" failed to authenticate with "dsAuthMethodStandard:dsAuthSMBNTKey" (-14090)
[2006/02/24 21:52:03, 1] authods.c:opendirectory_smb_pwd_checkntlmv1(427)
opendirectorysmb_pwd_checkntlmv1: [-14090]opendirectoryauthuser
[2006/02/24 21:52:03, 2] /SourceCache/samba/samba-92.15/samba/source/auth/auth.c:checkntlmpassword(312)
checkntlmpassword: Authentication for user [csmith] -> [csmith] FAILED with error NTSTATUS_WRONGPASSWORD
[2006/02/24 21:52:03, 1] authods.c:opendirectory_authuser(212)
User "csmith" failed to authenticate with "dsAuthMethodStandard:dsAuthSMBNTKey" (-14090)
[2006/02/24 21:52:03, 1] authods.c:opendirectory_smb_pwd_checkntlmv1(427)
opendirectorysmb_pwd_checkntlmv1: [-14090]opendirectoryauthuser
[2006/02/24 21:52:03, 2] /SourceCache/samba/samba-92.15/samba/source/auth/auth.c:checkntlmpassword(312)
checkntlmpassword: Authentication for user [csmith] -> [csmith] FAILED with error NTSTATUS_WRONGPASSWORD
[2006/02/24 21:52:03, 2] /SourceCache/samba/samba-92.15/samba/source/smbd/server.c:exit_server(595)
Closing connections
I've googled this error and it seems that there a lot of engineers out there with the same problem but no answers. Could this be a bug with Apple's SMB process? Is there something I've missed? (I've looked at the smb.conf and have even turned off deny clear text passwords - I've even tried granting guest access) Anyone have any ideas?

On the server itself, run the following in the Terminal:
(from a few different sources):
run ps -auxw | grep Password
to see if Password service is running
Also check the logs in /Library/Logs/PasswordService
Try: id username
and see if you get some info returned.
Ex: id jimguy
You should get some info about uid, gid, groups.
sudo killall -USR1 DirectoryService
Then try to login from a client machine.
Be sure to re-issue
sudo killall -USR1 DirectoryService
in order to stop the (far more) verbose logging.
Then check the logs in /Library/Logs/DirectoryService
In Open Directory, you might want to revert to standalone (this will destory the existing OD setup) and then re-promote to OD Master. You'll lose all OD users however when doing so. If you don't have many, this may be best.
You'll want to verify the hostname, and forward & reverse DNS lookups before re-promoting, and watch for any errors when promoting to OD master
See, when you say "The real clue is that I'm unable to access the shares from my Powerbook G4 with my Open Directory account. I can log in to the file share as the local admin though and that's why I'm thinking there is a bug in the samba/OD relationship. " - that's the real clue indeed.
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Connecting new Mac mini server to Xserve RAID?

Have an Xserve RAID and was looking in getting the MacMini server. How would I connect them since the Xserve only has Fibre connections?

Tod's correct. You currently can't, but the next revision of the Mac Mini will include ThunderBolt, and once that happens you'll be able to use a ThunderBolt-to-Fibre bridge that Promise is about to release:
http://www.promise.com/storage/raid_series.aspx?region=en-global&m=192&rsn1=40&r sn3=49
JM

How can I start/wake a Mac without having an XServe?

Hey,
I just bought Apple Remote Desktop and I saw this cool start fuction but when I tried it, it didn't work!
Do you need a XServe for this?(I don't have one ).
If not how can I do it?
Thanks Roemer Bakker

Hi
You can wake any mac from Sleep using Apple Remote Desktop. You can also invoke Sleep as well as Shutting down. What you can't do - unless it's an XServe - is boot one up that has been shut down. This feature is usually referred to as Lights Out Management or LOM for short:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24506
If you're at all interested there is more on the subject here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2773
Only the Intel XServes ever had this feature. No-one on these Forums will know whether Apple are going to or are ever likely to introduce LOM for the rest of their product line-up. AFAIK the recently released iMacs and MacBooks don't have this feature. One would have thought that if Apple were interested in adding LOM to their current product line-up they may have done so this time around?
HTH?
Tony

Mac Minis to Replace Xserves?

I'm thinking about buying all Mac Minis to replace 15 Apple Xserves and maybe even consolidate a few servers.
Mainly the Mac Minis will be running Open Directory, file sharing, hosting websites, or mysql data. I assume they will be able to handle all of this just fine.
My questions are:
What is everyone doing for failover with Mac Minis? Are you keeping another spare mini on the side with the exact same build so when the production mini fails you can just load up the spare?
Do the newer Mac Minis have quick access to the hard drive? So if the logic board fails you can still recover any lost data.
Thank you!

Mainly the Mac Minis will be running Open Directory, file sharing, hosting websites, or mysql data. I assume they will be able to handle all of this just fine.
The answer is - it depends.
The Mac Mini doesn't compare to the XServe from a high availability or performance standpoint. There's no redundant power supply or multiple NICs, it has limited memory and expansion (although ThunderBolt is starting to come up with some interesting options).
If your XServes were lightly loaded you might be OK, but you need to seriously consider this if you're running high availability/business critical or heavy workloads.
In addition, new Mac Minis will come with Mountain Lion Server. I don't know what version of Mac OS X Server you've been running on your XServes, but Mountain Lion Server strips out some of those tools. It no longer comes with MySQL, for example. Of course, you're welcome to install and manage your own MySQL installation, and if you're heavily dependent on MySQL then you probably already do this, but if you're looking for a one-click MySQL you're out lof luck. Similarly with the web sites - the GUI has been stripped to the barest features and you'll likely need to get under the hood to get any serious web development done. Again, you might be already doing this, but you might not.
What is everyone doing for failover with Mac Minis?
Failover is a very personal thing - different people want and need different things based on business needs. For some, a few hours of downtime while someone gets to the office and kicks in a standby system is OK, for others some kind of separate hardware load balancer is a must.
Are you keeping another spare mini on the side with the exact same build so when the production mini fails you can just load up the spare?
Again, this depends on your use case. For most people the important stuff isn't the machine, it's the data. For that you need data replication options, as well as mechanisms to failover (and failback). Having an idle machine doesn't help if the only copy of your data is in the machine that just blew up (or was dropped, stolen, crushed, etc.) For the most part the drives are accessible but that really shouldn't be your failover model.

Mac Pro compatibility with Xserve Raid

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You might want to look at what some other photographers use, Port Multiplier controller and drive enclosures. Up to 5 drives per channel for a total of 20 drives.
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Mac Pro vs. Xserve

Hello,
I did not find a specific category so I thought I could post it here.
Can anybody tell me what you can do more with an xserve than with a mac pro besides putting several in a rack?
I do not understand why these are more expensive ...
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Thanks

The XServe is designed for particular consumer market - IT professionals. As such, it has features geared for this purpose which IT people expect from 1U server systems such as hot-swappable media, greater memory capacity, and remote management. It also comes with OS X server (unlimited client). Were you thinking of just buying one? It may be a little too much for a home media server, especially when a Mac Pro can just as easily do the job. Besides, the XServe won't support a 30" display; it does not have a dual link DVI capable graphics system.
EDIT Actually, DL-DVI is available as an option. But still, unless you have a specific need for a 1U system, the Mac Pro is more than capable of acting as a media server. The only major point that comes to mind is that the Mac Pro won't allow multiple users on your network to log in to it simultaneously, unless you buy OS X server. But you can still share media files over a network with the standard version of OS X with all the users on your network.

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Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
If I've understood you, you can't start into Mac OS X. Press X key after the startup sound, so your computer will start in OS X

Will "Tiger Server - Xserve Install DVD" install on non-Xserve Mac ?

Hi All...
I had four G5 Xserves (now sold) but I still hold and own the Tiger Server DVD and Licences. I am buying an old Mac Mini that had Tiger originally installed, but has been upgraded to Leopard... my question is will my old DVD "Tiger Server - Xserve Install DVD" let me install on a mac OTHER THAN an Xserve... I am suspicious as the Licence starts off with "XSVR-...." which makes me think it may be a special install DVD configured for the Xserve only... ???
Appreciate a confirmation either way..
Thnx
MOKA

Thanks very much for your comments... It does not have any other comments on it other than Version 10.4.3 and Mac OS X Server Xserve Install DVD.
I think you are likely correct and I will give it a try
Thnx again !!

Mac Mini or Xserve server

hello everyone i have a question involving the mac mini and the xserve system. I am running a home video company and use about three different macs to edit. My server is currently a dual core xserve g5 at 2.0ghz with 3gb ram. it has two internal drive raided together. In my house we also have about 14 computers, which the rest of my family use. I was thinking of integrating things like network home directories and netboot into the house, but i dont want to do this off my xserve because i want my video to be separate from everyone else's things.
Im thinking about buying the standard mac mini server, except i dont know which i should use it for. I can keep my xserve for video, and the mac mini for everything else like the network home and netboot, or i can do the opposite and switch to the mini server for video and the xserve for the house. i like that on the xserve i can expand it a lot, but on the mini, it comes with a terabyte drive standard, and i can add a couple firewire.
I dont really know which to pick, id like other peoples perspectives
thanks

An interesting conundrum...
First off, I concur with the concept of network home directories vs NetBoot.
The pain, heartache and overhead of setting up and maintaining NetBoot isn't really worth it for your network. Dozens or hundreds of identical systems (e.g. a lab or cluster network), maybe, but a few disparate systems? not so much.
That said, the decision really comes down to your video workflow.
How well is the G5 standing up to the task now? If it's stressing then it might make sense to upgrade that and use the Mini for your video work. Overall, though, I wouldn't expect a huge performance boost going to the Mini - it doesn't have the best graphics performance, or the best disk performance, both of which will impact video production. It should be slightly faster overall but not enough to make it a must-have upgrade.
The other advantage would be a more modern platform, the latest OS version and the ability to take advantage of the latest application updates, all of which would be waning on the G5.
So, overall I'd probably go with the Mini for video and turning the XServe into a home directory/media server for the rest of the systems in the house.

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This system would NOT be pointed to by any PC's. We currently employ about 1300 users, and have about 200 Macs in the building. They want a seemless portal for the Macs in AD. Suggestions, tips, etc? Currently running 10.5.4 on all of our XServes.

check these docs:
http://www.afp548.com/filemgmt_data/files/AD-OD-2.1.pdf
http://www.afp548.com/article.php?story=20080304215842264

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I'm getting speeds between 5600 and 5888 RPM in a server room at 18 degrees Celsius.
David

Hi Camelot,
Thanks for your response.
Overall, the Xserve that I'm concerned about has a light workload. It's being used as a file and web server. Most of the time CPU load is around 1% - 5%. The room temperature is at 18 degrees celsius.
The System Board fans are all between 5600 and 6000 RPM.
The Power Supply fans are both at 6656 RPM.
These values remain pretty constant.
An AXD test didn't find anything wrong with the fans or sensors.
What concerns me is that Server Monitor reports the RPM values as the maximum value in its graph. See the attached screenshot.
This is not the case with our other Xserve, which is a G4.
I want to know if other users also report this behaviour or that perhaps something is wrong with the Xserve.

"Normal" Mac OS on an XServe

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