MacMini 2012 and OS X Server- Whats the Benefit HELP!

[jfriedman8]

I just purchased the 2012 Mini with OSX Server. I have read here about people just doing a clean install of ML and using it that way, but I am interested in learning more about Server and if it would be worth using. It seems to me a lot of the stuff on the apple website, ie file sharing, screen sharing, ect is all available via the regular ML. Here's what I'll be using it for:


Media and iTunes Distribution (needed the 2TB)
Main Photo / App Storage
Main Desktop, which my MBA and Dell XPS 15 can connect back to
HTPC - Have a 27in Monitor in my bedroom which is basically my TV in there.

I've been using this to get myself going. I used to be way more on top of this stuff, but just do not have the time for it anymore unfortunately.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/07/the-server-simplified-a-power-users-guide-to-os-x-server/2/

 

[philipma1957]

I just purchased the 2012 Mini with OSX Server. I have read here about people just doing a clean install of ML and using it that way, but I am interested in learning more about Server and if it would be worth using. It seems to me a lot of the stuff on the apple website, ie file sharing, screen sharing, ect is all available via the regular ML. Here's what I'll be using it for:


Media and iTunes Distribution (needed the 2TB)
Main Photo / App Storage
Main Desktop, which my MBA and Dell XPS 15 can connect back to
HTPC - Have a 27in Monitor in my bedroom which is basically my TV in there.

I've been using this to get myself going. I used to be way more on top of this stuff, but just do not have the time for it anymore unfortunately.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/07/the-server-simplified-a-power-users-guide-to-os-x-server/2/

no
benefit
cancel
the
sale

buy the mid model save money.


get a big external



http://www.macmall.com/p/LaCie-Hard-Drives/product~dpno~9237532~pdp.hhbeafj


4tb buy the warranty for 1 year 27 bucks for 2 57 bucks.


this is far better you get 4tb plus 1tb cost is only 800 plus 327 or 1127

 

[jfriedman8]

It's not the $$ its the fact I needed 2TB of storage above everything else and I did not want to have to put in a second HDD myself.

 

[jfriedman8]

Aside from storage... Is there any reason / benefit to having the OS X server on there for home use? Anyone have examples of how they utilize it at home?

 

[fa8362]

It's not the $$ its the fact I needed 2TB of storage above everything else and I did not want to have to put in a second HDD myself.

Get an external. Like most people storing movies and music, you're going to need one at some point anyway.

 

[jfriedman8]

Ok besides the storage thing- I already have a ProBox and enough extra storage.

The server question....

 

[Lance-AR]

There will be no benefit to installing OS X Server. Go with the mid model.

 

[hfg]

You can install OS X Server on any of the newer Macs for $20 from the App store. That is cheap enough to play with it and if you find 1 or 2 features worthwhile, then use them. If you turn the Server functions off, you will still be running standard ML OS X.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Unless you have a direct interest in learning OS X Server specifically, it provides no benefit.

If you want to learn about "servers", well, OS X has nearly every UNIX server component already, and you really should learn to use the command-line tools.

 

[hfg]

Unless you have a direct interest in learning OS X Server specifically, it provides no benefit.

If you want to learn about "servers", well, OS X has nearly every UNIX server component already, and you really should learn to use the command-line tools.

If one wanted to use a mostly idle home theater Mac Mini as a Time Machine backup NAS, can you do it without having the server functions installed? I have tried simply sharing the external drives, but I couldn't get Time Machine to recognize them from other computers.



-howard

 

[jfriedman8]

Yeah, I am interested in learning it, which is part of why I went for the top end one. I like the file sharing between the mini and iPad and some of the messages features. I just have no idea how to do any of this yet, but I am pretty good picking these things up.

Mini is on vehicle for delivery, so I am sure I'll have more questions soon.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

If one wanted to use a mostly idle home theater Mac Mini as a Time Machine backup NAS, can you do it without having the server functions installed? I have tried simply sharing the external drives, but I couldn't get Time Machine to recognize them from other computers.



-howard

For Time Machine, you want to use the Server function - specifically the one that makes it advertise itself as a Time Machine target!