Is the Mac Mini Server for me?

[talmy]

Since you seem dead set on getting the server, I'll pass along some advice. You won't be able to access the server desktop remotely without DNS and reverse DNS working properly (this isn't the case for regular Snow Leopard -- one of the many internal differences).

While it is true that you don't need a static IP on the internet (you can use DYNDNS to get a domain name that points to your router), you do need a static IP on the server itself. This will require either configuring your router to have a range of static IP addresses, or disabling the DHCP service in the router and setting it up in the Server.

I set up a DNS server on my Mac mini and disabled that in the router. This made it easier to set up the forward and reverse DNS. You need a local domain name that is unique to your local network (that keeps things much simpler if your Internet domain name is being routed to a service provider -- otherwise you might find it difficult to access the service provider when on your local network). This name cannot be ".local" which is reserved by the Bonjour services.

There is a good site that talks about setting this up. I must admit that I wasn't able to get the networking working properly until reading this article. The Snow Leopard Server documentation assumes a certain level of knowledge I didn't have. http://labs.hoffmanlabs.com/node/1436

I also got benefit with other services from "Snow Leopard Server for Dummies". If you have a lynda.com account, they have a good video training program on Snow Leopard Server.

I wrote up my experience getting SLS set up here: http://almy.us/server.html

 

[DannySmurf]

I wrote up my experience getting SLS set up here: http://almy.us/server.html

Thanks for that link. Looks like a good (if long) read. Instapapered for later.

 

[analogkid]

Hmn.... My server just "showed up" and I had no problem accessing it with Remote Desktop, screen sharing or from my Windows PC. I keep a screen sharing icon on my dock so that with one click I'm looking at it's desktop.

 

[talmy]

Hmn.... My server just "showed up" and I had no problem accessing it with Remote Desktop, screen sharing or from my Windows PC. I keep a screen sharing icon on my dock so that with one click I'm looking at it's desktop.

My server always showed up, but screen sharing would take about 90 seconds to start. Screen sharing of other Macs on the network (including other Mac minis) was instantaneous. I was advised on the Apple.com forums that reverse-DNS was critical for proper operation of Snow Leopard Server. Indeed, I found that it was auto-configured wrong, probably due to my moving the systems network location (read my long article for the details). Deleting and recreating the DNS table fixed everything.

There still is a problem in that "Fast User Switching" hangs the screen sharing server (not the client). Of course the admonishment here is that servers should have only one local account and don't need Fast User Switching.

 

[SdPunk]

I hate to bring this thread from the depths, but i just finally ordered a new Mini. I went with the regular Mini and not the Server. I will most likely get the Server version down the road as I was a little tight on cash to get this one after getting a MacBook Air.

So, here is the question, when this sucker arrives, I know there is a point during the setup process where you can transfer information from another Mac. I want to transfer all the information from the MacBook I used as a desktop, including the email accounts I have setup on Macmail. Will all files and setup transfer, or do I need to manually do this? I have Time Machine backing up onto an external hard drive, but I do not know if everything is on there, or just the basics. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[talmy]

My best advice is to first create an "Administrator" account on the new system that you can use for emergencies. Then use the Migration Assistant application on both computers to transfer your account and the files. You can do this over your network.