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jwp333

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 24, 2006
69
1
Can you run a mac mini server just like a regular desktop model mac mini? Does the server version of SL prevent you from using the computer like a regular mac mini with a monitor and keyboard and mouse? Can anyone point me to a good beginner article on the use and setup of a server? I feel like I understand computers pretty well, but servers are a mystery to me.
 
Server has pretty much the same features as normal OS X, plus the server stuff. What kind of server are you setting up? Just some local network file sharing or something more?
 
I prefer the hardware of the Mini server model (because of the HDD size and also I never use a DVD drive) but have no need for a server, so I was wondering pretty much the same thing. Does the server OS work just like the regular SL OS if thats how you want to use it?
 
I also prefer the server hardware, esp the two 500 GB drives. But rather than using SL Server, I'm just going to buy SL client and reinstall the OS with a 1TB RAID 0 array. It's worth $30 to not hassle with SL server when I don't need it.
 
I also prefer the server hardware, esp the two 500 GB drives. But rather than using SL Server, I'm just going to buy SL client and reinstall the OS with a 1TB RAID 0 array. It's worth $30 to not hassle with SL server when I don't need it.
I purchased a package set of SL installs and could add it to the server model if I need to but don't have a USB DVD drive and don't really know how different the server OS is from regular SL, so I was asking if anyone knew if it could function as SL even though its the server version.
 
Its kind of ironic to only need a DVD drive to install a new OS. Maybe the folks at the genius bar could do it?
 
you guys know its super easy to install OSX via USB flash drive.

I'm sure more people have 8+gb flash drives than have usb dvd drives.
 
You don't get iLife with the server.

It seems the server edition is OSX with some bells and whistles (which I'll probably not use) but overall a better value.

The only thing it doesn't have is iLife.

If you bought the family pack of iLife '09 and didn't use all 5 you can still use one of them and add it to server edition, right? There is no time limit. It doesn't expire does it? Sorry for the silly question but want to make sure before I go get the server edition.

Also, I'm assuming there would be no issue installing iWorks and MSOffice on there.....or any other software either.
 
I picked up my 2010 server a few days ago, and re-installed it to client osx using the 10.6.3 discs that come with the regular Mini, (though most of you will probably not have those discs available) I borrowed them from another new Reg Mini owner.

it's working fine as a client on server hardware running RAID 0.:D
 
WTF are you all talking about? No one asked about the hardware comparisons. Save that bs for another geeky blog.

The question was wether or not the OSX Server OS can be used the same way as a Client. Can it run the same apps?

Does anyone have any practical experience with the server OS?
 
WTF are you all talking about? No one asked about the hardware comparisons. Save that bs for another geeky blog.

The question was wether or not the OSX Server OS can be used the same way as a Client. Can it run the same apps?

Does anyone have any practical experience with the server OS?

You seem very confused and lost on here. Most of these people are high educated in all forms of Mac OS X. And remember reviving old threads just to up your post count isn't a good idea.
 
So, has this question been answered?
I want a Mini, but there are rarely Mini's on the refurb store, just Mini servers. I would gladly buy a Mini server, and just use the dual hard drives for storage and buy an external superdrive in case I need to burn a CD or DVD, or install software off of a disk. Will it work???
 
many machines, one library?

So, has this question been answered?
I want a Mini, but there are rarely Mini's on the refurb store, just Mini servers. I would gladly buy a Mini server, and just use the dual hard drives for storage and buy an external superdrive in case I need to burn a CD or DVD, or install software off of a disk. Will it work???

I don't think you really need a superdrive(not a deal breaker). Since everything can be wifi'd or USB'd over.
Thanks for starting this thread. I have 10.6.6 single core mini acting as a media centre and hub for the house library. Works great so far(learning as I go). Just migrating all my media to the externals. Hopefully I can finally synchronize all my libraries to one source(with back up of course). I'm curious if Itunes can work from one library over multi machines? Meaning as editing occurs on the powerbook for example will the itunes library in the mini also update? and iphoto as well for that matter?
another really dumb question... What is it that makes the server share faster than a regular client? I have both client and server on my my mini and when the server is on the file availability over the wifi network is amazing! Just wondering?
Much Thanks in Advance.
Mytsoul
 
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I'm curious if Itunes can work from one library over multi machines? Meaning as editing occurs on the powerbook for example will the itunes library in the mini also update? and iphoto as well for that matter?
iPhoto and iTunes are designed as applications with libraries on a single computer and shared read-only to other computers. Hopefully this will change in the future (maybe even with iTunes in Lion), but we;ll have to wait and see.
another really dumb question... What is it that makes the server share faster than a regular client? I have both client and server on my my mini and when the server is on the file availability over the wifi network is amazing! Just wondering?
Much Thanks in Advance.
Mytsoul
I'm guessing the Server OS X is optimised for those tasks. That would be the most likely explanation. Unless you are running the Server and Client OS X on different disks with different speeds (then that might explain the difference)?
 
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