need to update my server, linux or snow leopard server?

[nullx86]

Hey guys, I need to update my server and im stuck with the dilema of "Do I use linux or do I hackintosh (like all the other computers in my house) and put SL Server on it? I am/was using Ubuntu Server 9.04 (with ext4) and it has been working great, but netatalk stopped working and smbfs decided to rewrite my config files twice. So far other places I have asked have suggested using Ubuntu Server 9.10, CentOS or Debian. I am just wondering what MR thinks... Right now the whole house is all mac, minus two computers (one linux, one winblows), so I want to try and go AFP is possible, rather then smb/nfs. Just a personal preference. So far I have to do file sharing, VMs, DNS, Mail and web, and remote access/admin. All of those can be done with any OS, but then I'm still stuck with the whole dilemma of what to use. Thoughts are welcome! Thanks, null_x86

 

[mbestel]

Probably linux

Hi,

I tried Leopard server (running on an Xserve that I inherited) and I wanted it to work, I really did, but there were too many problems.

Simple stuff like DNS, File sharing, VPN, etc. all seem to work fine but it was Open Directory that finally got me.

I have ditched servers at home all together now and have outsourced everything.

I have a couple of VPSs running CentOS 5.4

I hadn't used CentOS previously but had used RHEL, Redhat and Fedora quite a bit so the transition was pretty easy.

Doesn't really answer your question, I know but the Leopard server was a bit of a pain.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[nullx86]

Hi,

I tried Leopard server (running on an Xserve that I inherited) and I wanted it to work, I really did, but there were too many problems.

Simple stuff like DNS, File sharing, VPN, etc. all seem to work fine but it was Open Directory that finally got me.

I have ditched servers at home all together now and have outsourced everything.

I have a couple of VPSs running CentOS 5.4

I hadn't used CentOS previously but had used RHEL, Redhat and Fedora quite a bit so the transition was pretty easy.

Doesn't really answer your question, I know but the Leopard server was a bit of a pain.

Cheers,

Mark

yeah, i was running ubuntu server and it was running good, but crapped out, so i tried leopard server and snow leo server and they work, but open directory keeps breaking for me. Right now I'm seeing if I cant hackintosh and get Snow Leopard (client) installed, and just use that for my file sharing and downloads and outsource everything else (DNS-mostly, email, web and caldev). Hopefully I can get Snow Leo reinstalled (had it installed, it crapped out due to crappy chipset drivers) and this stuff going, if not I'll probably go with Ubuntu, Mint, Debian or something of the apt/deb like. Might try Amahi sometime. I tried it before, but it failed, disk messed up.

 

[mcprobie]

What is it specifically that breaks in open directory ... I'm not seeing problems at the moment (knock on wood) ... I also run Mac OS Snow Leo server

 

[hakuryuu]

I am currently running SL Server at home on a Mac Mini and haven't had any problems that weren't my fault. But then I bought it to learn on so that was to be expected. Now that I have spent some time with it and got it configured correctly the only thing that doesn't seem to work correctly is Kerberized services like iCal server (which works as long as you don't force kerberos authentication). Otherwise everything is running smoothly. Oh and VPN doesn't seem to work, but that is likely a firewall issue since I was able to get it to work at my office.

 

[mbestel]

OS X Server problems

I was mainly having problems with Kerberos, which I eventually got sorted out. Then, I had an Xserve with hard to replace PATA drives (getting harder anyway) chewing up power and making noise in my un air conditioned house.

Occasionally the server would shut down, etc, etc.

I did the maths and buying a mini really didn't make sense.

Also, I started using 10.6 on the desktop and the 10.6 server tools seemed a bit problematic when working with a 10.5 server.

These were all just little things, but due to the power, noise and SAF (spousal acceptance factor) I decided to go for a hosted service.

Has anyone found Mac hosting for less than a small fortune?

I ended up getting a VPS for $12.95/month from a company in Sydney and haven't looked back.

Cheers,

Mark

 

[hakuryuu]

Unless I had a basement and a room/closet I could configure to be suitable for an Xserve I definitely wouldn't even try to make that work in my house. Too noisy and such especially without air conditioning. I would rather pay for colocation.

 

[mcprobie]

I understand it's noisy and costly to run a real server (as in the hardware), but I run it on my iMac without issues, of course ... This is for about 5 people in total ... Hardly any load.

 

[nullx86]

What is it specifically that breaks in open directory ... I'm not seeing problems at the moment (knock on wood) ... I also run Mac OS Snow Leo server

Cant create the master open directory... i never bothered with finding out why.. i will later...

I am currently running SL Server at home on a Mac Mini and haven't had any problems that weren't my fault. But then I bought it to learn on so that was to be expected. Now that I have spent some time with it and got it configured correctly the only thing that doesn't seem to work correctly is Kerberized services like iCal server (which works as long as you don't force kerberos authentication). Otherwise everything is running smoothly. Oh and VPN doesn't seem to work, but that is likely a firewall issue since I was able to get it to work at my office.

Kerberos stuff has never worked for me either VPN works for me... might need to open ports on your router..

 

[mbestel]

Kerberos

Kerberos can be tricky and if memory serves me correctly, the kerberos client config file that OS X Server created had some problems.

Once they were fixed, it all started working perfectly.

I particularly like kerberized file services.

Mark

 

[hakuryuu]

Oh I was able to get my file services kerberized easily. That works really well. I've not bothered with everything just yet due to having a new baby and wanting to sleep more than study but I have read a lot that suggests ical server isn't quite perfect yet so the fact it doesn't work with kerberos perfectly isn't a surprise. I think I had an issue with ichat too, but that only affects clients within my network whom are bound to OD anyways.

 

[dogbait]

If you want Directory Services (single sign on), DNS, DHCP and Portable Homes/Network homes bizarrely enough the best server for your Mac clients is a Windows 2003 Server...

Home syncing and single sign on work flawlessly, and if you use the odd Windows XP/7 machine your Desktop/Documents/Music etc. folders are all synced between Macs and Windows.

We also have a few Snow Leopard Server machines, they're a little flaky, I wouldn't recommend them until 10.6.3 at the very least. 10.5 for instance wasn't stable enough for us until 10.5.6 came out.

Macs work pretty well accessing smb Windows shares. I have more problems with Macs and Linux boxes (running netatalk/Samba) than I do with Windows servers.