Moving from Windows Server to Mac Hardware & OS X Server

[sittnick]

Why do you reply to a reaction I wrote more than eighteen months ago?

I replied because I am an infrequent visitor who neglected to look at the date, but thought I had something to contribute. I am sorry if my post was a nuisance to you or anyone else.

 

[Geeky Chimp]

It was a surprise to see comments on this post again; a good surprise I may add.
Its been nearly a year since I last updated the post with how things had gone so I thought I would write a quick update for anyone interested.
As per my last update nearly a year ago the infrastructure has still had very few issues and users are reporting very very few problems. We are still helping others migrate from Windows Servers to Mac Servers and they are also pleased with the results.
We don't have RAID but do have regular TM backups and have setup a replication system.
We did find a PHP Webmail package that suited a majority of what we needed and this is still in use. We are looking to develop an in house Webmail system but that project is still in its early stages.
We don't use virtualisation anymore; we have managed after a fair amount of work to get the 'linux' software compiled and running on OSX (macOS) and we have been able to upgrade it without it breaking.
We went for a multiple Mac mini solution rather than Mac Pros.
We still use the system as our Mail Server and for hosting our websites and web applications as per the original plan.
We still use the system as our Directory (OD) and Profile Manager to manage devices. In fact we've only added services to the system rather than moving anything away.

 

[techwarrior]

1. How do Mac Admins deal with no RAID? Are Time Machine backups and a standby server OK as a DR plan?

The Mini has a couple of Thunderbolt2 ports. You can put a couple of high capacity HDD or SSD in a Dual or Quad enclosure with RAID and get respectable performance and redundancy. I am using an OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual with an SSD as a boot drive for a 2014 Mini and it is excellent performance (possibly only a slight drop in boot speeds vs internal SSD).

 

[Longer Lane]

To add another point: I wonder if anyone is using Apple's XSAN for storing mail files etc. e.g. in a fail-over setup?

 

[Altemose]

1. How do Mac Admins deal with no RAID? Are Time Machine backups and a standby server OK as a DR plan?

2. As OS X Server doesn't come with Webmail does anyone have any comments about the range of PHP Webmail software available and/or any recommendations/no-no's? Has anyone gone down the no webmail route - if so how's that working out?

3. We are used to Virtualisation and creating VM's for everything. Does anyone have any comments about Parallels Business Edition (for Headless VM's) or using VMware Fusion on a server? Or are people just buying loads of Mac Minis?

4. We haven't brought all of the hardware yet - is it worth buying the 2.6Ghz 2014 Mac Mini with 16GB RAM and the PCIe Disk if you are running VM's hosting servers (Linux or an OS X VM)?

5. Multiple Mac Mini's or a Mac Pro?

5. We need to run a few Linux installations for some Linux software that just doesn't seem to compile and run on Mac so we're thinking of VM's partly the reasons for the questions above.

1. Many macOS Server admins choose Thunderbolt arrays. Time Machine is a great backup platform, but is not designed to perform bootable backups. As a result, for the main boot drive you must have a bootable solution.

2. Hosting webmail onsite these days is quickly being overshadowed by Office 365 and Google Apps for Education/Business. I highly recommend that you look at their options as they open a whole new realm of simplicity, reliability, and ease of use.

3. Unless you have a specific need for VMs, there is no particular reason to use them on macOS Server. Generally, a higher spec'd Mac Mini does what most individuals want and Thunderbolt allows them the storage capabilities they need.

4. I would recommend getting an i7 model and always getting 16 GB of RAM regardless of what you choose.

5. The golden rule of thumb is to keep things as simple as possible. The Mac Mini is significantly more budget friendly and scalable. That being said, your organization may be satisfied with one decently spec'd Mini.

6. Running a Linux VM is not a problem provided you have ample physical resources to appropriately run it.

 

[FreeAngel]

WOW!! I think your being really super critical and hard on this guy!!
When all your Windows Servers are attacked with Ransom Ware and Virus's All around the world to a HUGE Number of servers because of Popularity all the Windows Fan Boys decided to use Windows Server which still seems like an overpriced Pile of CRAP and a security nightmare even to NOVEL running on Linux as I use to be a Novell ADMIN and miss it over Windows Server and ACTIVE DIRECTORY nightmares. I'm not alone either

Look at Android. Widely used but easily put to pasture by Viruses

In the Future I believe Security will Triumph over Popularity and High Price Lock in to Windows Clients and Servers

Windows will start charging $8 to $15 a month to keep the client updated. Hence Software As a Service
MAC Clients are FREE

And Linux has it's share of Virus's and Ransom Ware to Cripple servers. Don't believe me? Google it

This is the most ridiculous thing I read in months. If you want to run a server you need proper hardware. A Mac is a consumer-level machine not meant to run in the data center(or even a lab for that matter). It has no dual psu, no raid controller and no replaceable parts!! What the hell is your IT department smoking?



There is a difference between challenging the status quo and asininely defying it. In IT, there are best practices and they are there for a reason. Your approach is kind of like UPS saying "We don't like these ugly brown trucks even though they are engineered for this purpose, but we do really like these sleek Teslas, so we are going to deliver packages in them instead"

Btw, there is no such thing as a 'Mac Admin'.



Actually Linux does have a GUI if you want one. It usually gets in the way though, and besides unless you are going through some kind of IP-KVM/iLO/DRAC/whatever you going to have to use ssh instead anyway.

Btw, Linux is extremely easy to update. 'yum -y upgrade' and that's it.

Having said all that, I have no idea how big your company is. If it's something like 10 people, you might be OK. Keep in mind though that your solution won't scale at all.

Here is my most important advice to you. If(when) you look for another job, please do not under any circumstance put this project as a line item on your resume. It's guaranteed to cost you the interview.

 

[belvdr]

WOW!! I think your being really super critical and hard on this guy!!
When all your Windows Servers are attacked with Ransom Ware and Virus's All around the world to a HUGE Number of servers because of Popularity all the Windows Fan Boys decided to use Windows Server which still seems like an overpriced Pile of CRAP and a security nightmare even to NOVEL running on Linux as I use to be a Novell ADMIN and miss it over Windows Server and ACTIVE DIRECTORY nightmares. I'm not alone either

Look at Android. Widely used but easily put to pasture by Viruses

In the Future I believe Security will Triumph over Popularity and High Price Lock in to Windows Clients and Servers

Windows will start charging $8 to $15 a month to keep the client updated. Hence Software As a Service
MAC Clients are FREE

And Linux has it's share of Virus's and Ransom Ware to Cripple servers. Don't believe me? Google it

So, first you state the other poster is being too hard on someone, then you go into a tirade of FUD, speculation, and incorrect terminology, in order to persuade others that macOS Server is better than other software.

 

[Rupert123]

We are looking to move our Server Farm consisting of multiple Exchange Servers hosting different Exchange organisations, quite a few IIS Servers, DC's, File Servers and few other bits. Most of the Servers are run as Hyper-V Virtual Machines on a number of servers with RAID.

We are now an all Mac client side organisation - part of the reason for the change. Another reason is the ongoing costs of upgrading MS software compared to Apple.

So far we've got a few Mac Mini's (2014 - 1.4Ghz - 8GB RAM) and a Mac Mini (2-14 - 2.6Ghz - 8GB RAM).

We've started playing with OS X Server on our test domains and running it instead of Exchange and IIS. So far we're doing well with it (better SPAM filtering anyway). Only thing we are missing is OWA/Webmail so far.

We have a few questions, any help or comments would be much appreciated.

1. How do Mac Admins deal with no RAID? Are Time Machine backups and a standby server OK as a DR plan?

2. As OS X Server doesn't come with Webmail does anyone have any comments about the range of PHP Webmail software available and/or any recommendations/no-no's? Has anyone gone down the no webmail route - if so how's that working out?

3. We are used to Virtualisation and creating VM's for everything. Does anyone have any comments about Parallels Business Edition (for Headless VM's) or using VMware Fusion on a server? Or are people just buying loads of Mac Minis?

4. We haven't brought all of the hardware yet - is it worth buying the 2.6Ghz 2014 Mac Mini with 16GB RAM and the PCIe Disk if you are running VM's hosting servers (Linux or an OS X VM)?

5. Multiple Mac Mini's or a Mac Pro?

5. We need to run a few Linux installations for some Linux software that just doesn't seem to compile and run on Mac so we're thinking of VM's partly the reasons for the questions above.


Any responses would be great!

You have raid you just need to buy the hardware. Your going to find the Mini to run very slowif you have a big group. I would reccomend Kerio connect to saolve your webmail issue or you can just use Google G sweet. Parralels and Vm fusion. I also use virtual box. The mini is going to be slow. you want aa mac pro with lots of ram and an SSD disk for your your system. Remember Apple doesnt think business so your on your own. Enjoy the uptime and a huge reduction in cost.