Mac Mini Server Help

[vslo]

Sup guys,My late 2009 mac mini died. Apple gave me the 2010 2.66ghz 4gb 1TB SERVER Mac mini. Thats right, they gave me the Server model. I am happy with it, except for the fact that I will have to buy an external dvd drive, but its ok.
My real problem is, I dont know the difference in the OS X for the OS X Server. I wont use it as a server, I will use it as a normal mac mini. Does it have any kind of difference? I do some video and photo editing, is there a difference in the graphic driver from one version to another ? I will experience any problem whatsoever ? Because I can have it replaced for the right model. Besides I am happy with 1TB and a 7200RPM speed.
Thank you in advance !

 

[iBookG4user]

Here's the Apple page about Mac OS X Server

 

[vslo]

I know it, but there does not say the differences, or better, if I will have any problems if I just want to use the Mac OS X Server as a normal Mac OS X.And does not compare the server and non-server edition with one another.

 

[shoebobs]

You will be able to do anything on the Snow Leopard Server that you could do on Snow Leopard client version, except bootcamp. See this thread - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/959749/

The graphics driver is the same. The only real difference is the 2 HDD at 7200 RPM vs Optical Drive/5200 RPM HDD.

I would definitely stick with the Mac Mini server model rather than downgrading to the base Mac Mini, unless you really really need an optical drive.

 

[trip1ex]

No iLIfe on the Mini server.

 

[vslo]

No iLIfe on the Mini server.

But I can use any external dvd drive right ? its just play and play ? I want to re-instal the OS X so I can use RAID0. Will I be able to do it with the external dvd drive? Does it worth making RAID0 with the mini server?
Thank you!

 

[shoebobs]

No iLIfe on the Mini server.

Is iLife just not included on the base OS install for Mini server, or are you not able to install it later/is it not even able to run on the server OS?

I never use iLife on my MBP so I don't know much about it - whether it is just a trial version on standard Macs or what...

 

[macjonny1]

You can run any program on the server software. ilife can be loaded via an external drive, such as the one originally built for the macbook air.

 

[vslo]

You can run any program on the server software. ilife can be loaded via an external drive, such as the one originally built for the macbook air.

Thank you very much. But can I reinstall the OS an enable RAID0 Trough an installation via external dvd drive? WIll any external dvd drive work as just plug and play?

 

[nikonsean]

Raid 0

Thank you very much. But can I reinstall the OS an enable RAID0 Trough an installation via external dvd drive? WIll any external dvd drive work as just plug and play?

That's what I just did. I used a Samsung external USB DVD drive.

 

[vslo]

That's what I just did. I used a Samsung external USB DVD drive.

Oh, thank you very much !
One more question: should I make the RAID0 ? Will I really have that rouge benefit ?

 

[talmy]

I've got the late 2009 mini with Snow Leopard Server that I'm actually using as a server. I've also got two other minis being used as entertainment centers. There are subtle differences in the way they work that might trip you up. I'd recommend either swapping it for the correct mini model or borrowing someone's install disk on the client 2010 mini and installing client Snow Leopard. (It won't work with the $29 retail version).

My server is set up with the internal drives as RAID0. There is a noticeable improvement in speed accessing large files (such as in program loading), but with the slower drives in the older mini, external FW800 drives will access small files faster. Note that there is an increased chance of failure and data loss, so be sure to have regular backups! I didn't do a reinstall to get RAID0 -- backed up the main drive to an external (using SuperDuper!), booted from the external, partitioned the internal drives as a RAID0 set, and then restored the internals from the external drive.

 

[shoebobs]

My server is set up with the internal drives as RAID0. There is a noticeable improvement in speed accessing large files (such as in program loading), but with the slower drives in the older mini, external FW800 drives will access small files faster. Note that there is an increased chance of failure and data loss, so be sure to have regular backups! I didn't do a reinstall to get RAID0 -- backed up the main drive to an external (using SuperDuper!), booted from the external, partitioned the internal drives as a RAID0 set, and then restored the internals from the external drive.

Does setting up the server in a RAID cause more stress to the hardware, and therefore are you saying the actual HDD would be more likely to fail? Or is it just that the RAID setup would be more likely to get corrupt and cause issues?

 

[vslo]

I've got the late 2009 mini with Snow Leopard Server that I'm actually using as a server. I've also got two other minis being used as entertainment centers. There are subtle differences in the way they work that might trip you up. I'd recommend either swapping it for the correct mini model or borrowing someone's install disk on the client 2010 mini and installing client Snow Leopard. (It won't work with the $29 retail version).

My server is set up with the internal drives as RAID0. There is a noticeable improvement in speed accessing large files (such as in program loading), but with the slower drives in the older mini, external FW800 drives will access small files faster. Note that there is an increased chance of failure and data loss, so be sure to have regular backups! I didn't do a reinstall to get RAID0 -- backed up the main drive to an external (using SuperDuper!), booted from the external, partitioned the internal drives as a RAID0 set, and then restored the internals from the external drive.

So, if I buy the snow leopard in apple store, will it work ? and will I be able to make the raid0 ? could you enunciate some major differences that you said that would trip me up ?
thank you !!!

 

[hakuryuu]

So, if I buy the snow leopard in apple store, will it work ? and will I be able to make the raid0 ? could you enunciate some major differences that you said that would trip me up ?
thank you !!!

Yes, it will work just fine. Once setup OS X Server has little in the way of differences other than it can do more. But if you aren't using the server features (DNS, Open Directory, etc.) then it will be like running regular OS X. Initial setup could trip you up a little, because it requires more user input to correctly configure than client OS X does. It is by no means difficult in my experience.

 

[vslo]

Yes, it will work just fine. Once setup OS X Server has little in the way of differences other than it can do more. But if you aren't using the server features (DNS, Open Directory, etc.) then it will be like running regular OS X. Initial setup could trip you up a little, because it requires more user input to correctly configure than client OS X does. It is by no means difficult in my experience.

So, should I really buy the non-server snow leopard, or I will be just fine if I keep using the server snow leopard like I am right now ? I am running it in 1080p and the only thing that is kinda strange to me, is the dock being a little choppy sometimes. Other than that, everything is fine. I am starting to suspect that the problem is my samsung p2370 monitor, because in my other mini I also had some choppyness problem with dock, spaces, etc...

 

[talmy]

So, if I buy the snow leopard in apple store, will it work?

No -- that would be a retail copy. It's missing necessary drivers since the new mini's are newer than the OS DVD. You would need to find someone who has bought the 2010 mini and will lend you the install disks. Apple will not provide them. (There are quite a few threads on this floating around various forums.)

and will I be able to make the raid0?

Yes, even with the client OS you can configure the drives as RAID0.

could you enunciate some major differences that you said that would trip me up ?
thank you !!!

Those I know about:

1. Initial install isn't "It Just Works." You will be confronted with questions you may not be prepared to answer.
2. If you have more than one computer, printer sharing, screen sharing, and especially file sharing configure differently and in ways that are more difficult in that they require understanding of the OS.
3. TimeMachine is known not to back up everything. I don't use it on the server, so I don't remember what it doesn't back up.
4. I've found that fast user switching (the ability to stay logged into one account while logging into another) isn't reliable and should be disabled. I've had no trouble with it in client systems.
5. These are just things I've come across. Remember that I only use it as a server so there could be other issues.

 

[vslo]

[*]Initial install isn't "It Just Works." You will be confronted with questions you may not be prepared to answer. -> Got no problems in this part


[*]If you have more than one computer, printer sharing, screen sharing, and especially file sharing configure differently and in ways that are more difficult in that they require understanding of the OS. -> I only have another macbook pro, that I will only sync with this mac mini, will there any kind of problem? I wont share any hardware like printers and so.


[*]TimeMachine is known not to back up everything. I don't use it on the server, so I don't remember what it doesn't back up.-> I just need it to back up my applications, music and videos, will it ?


[*]I've found that fast user switching (the ability to stay logged into one account while logging into another) isn't reliable and should be disabled. I've had no trouble with it in client systems.-> I am the only one that uses it.



So, does it worth the change ?

 

[talmy]

It looks like you will get by. You might want to double-check TimeMachine by attempting to restore some files -- ALWAYS a good idea anyway with any backup strategy since backups are worthless if you can't do a restore

 

[vslo]

I am starting to notice something here. MY kernel task is always high, always using 10-20% of my processor, if not more. I think that it might be the reason for the laggy dock sometimes. How can I reduce my kernel task processor usage ?
And if I wanted to install the normal version of the snow leo, I need as you said a snow leopard that came with a mac mini 2010, right? But I will still be able to update software and stuff? I mean, will me OS be recognized as original ? Because if I do something like that with a windows i.e. , it will not recognize it as original, know what I mean ?

 

[talmy]

I am starting to notice something here. MY kernel task is always high, always using 10-20% of my processor, if not more. I think that it might be the reason for the laggy dock sometimes. How can I reduce my kernel task processor usage ?

Server OSes are typically optimized for background tasks rather than the foreground GUI which is typically only used for maintenance. I don't know if Snow Leopard Server is specifically that way.

Your Kernel task seems to be running too high. My CPU usage over the past 24 hours is attached to this post. You can see major usage when I was streaming a video in the eearly evening and when a scheduled backup was performed starting at 10:30. The "blips" are generally when various systems are doing TImeMachine backups. You can see that otherwise the usage is about 1-2%.

And if I wanted to install the normal version of the snow leo, I need as you said a snow leopard that came with a mac mini 2010, right? But I will still be able to update software and stuff? I mean, will me OS be recognized as original ? Because if I do something like that with a windows i.e. , it will not recognize it as original, know what I mean ?

Unlike Windows, there is no validation of client Mac OS X licenses. Mac OS does not have a "Genuine Advantage".

 

[vslo]

Server OSes are typically optimized for background tasks rather than the foreground GUI which is typically only used for maintenance. I don't know if Snow Leopard Server is specifically that way.

Your Kernel task seems to be running too high. My CPU usage over the past 24 hours is attached to this post. You can see major usage when I was streaming a video in the eearly evening and when a scheduled backup was performed starting at 10:30. The "blips" are generally when various systems are doing TImeMachine backups. You can see that otherwise the usage is about 1-2%.



Unlike Windows, there is no validation of client Mac OS X licenses. Mac OS does not have a "Genuine Advantage".

Interesting. So all I got to do is know someone that bought a 2010 mac mini and get this snow leo install disc and install the OS again, right ? I dont know why my kernel is so high, it never uses less than 10%. Well, is there another way to install it ? I think I dont know anyone who has bought the 2010 mini...
The high cpu usage of kernel is probably some server task that its doing ?
Thank you very much for your help !

 

[talmy]

Interesting. So all I got to do is know someone that bought a 2010 mac mini and get this snow leo install disc and install the OS again, right ? I dont know why my kernel is so high, it never uses less than 10%. Well, is there another way to install it ? I think I dont know anyone who has bought the 2010 mini...
The high cpu usage of kernel is probably some server task that its doing ?
Thank you very much for your help !

Right.

All the server tasks appear as separate processes in the Activity Monitor. Baffled why your kernel_task is so high. Note that the graph on my system is all processor usage - the kernel_task has used 553 minutes in 31020 minutes of uptime, which is barely more than 1%. It's about the same on my iMac.

 

[vslo]

now I am having another problem. The mini wont go to sleep alone. It is set to sleep after 15 min of no use, but it does not sleep alone ! tried everything, reset PRAM, PMU, SMC, nothing helps.
What the ***** is going on ???

 

[talmy]

now I am having another problem. The mini wont go to sleep alone. It is set to sleep after 15 min of no use, but it does not sleep alone ! tried everything, reset PRAM, PMU, SMC, nothing helps.
What the ***** is going on ???

It will only sleep when not being used, and that large kernel task CPU usage is keeping it from sleeping. I've seen others report this problem. Of course I never let mine sleep (and by default sleep is turned off in Snow Leopard Server).