i run two Mac mini servers, and with apple removing server functionality soon, i’m Looking into server alternatives for a Mac environment - your advise is appreciated...
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
So, OS X server is on the way out, what you replacing it with?
- Thread starter chandler99
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
For VNP, I would be looking at a good perimeter router/gateway. Not a server.
User management....lots of MDM options Depends on size, scope, devices, budget, etc. Meraki is free up to 100 devices, last I checked. May have changed...verify licensing. Really need a spec: list of "must haves" and "nice to haves"
Sharing and Calendars: Lots of options, build your own Linux, Win Server, NAS. I moved to Synology NAS and have been very happy with it so far. Lots of hardware options, easy drive swaps, multiple NICS, resilient file system, etc, etc. And don't overlook Office365 or Google for mail and calendaring all rolled up together.
User management....lots of MDM options Depends on size, scope, devices, budget, etc. Meraki is free up to 100 devices, last I checked. May have changed...verify licensing. Really need a spec: list of "must haves" and "nice to haves"
Sharing and Calendars: Lots of options, build your own Linux, Win Server, NAS. I moved to Synology NAS and have been very happy with it so far. Lots of hardware options, easy drive swaps, multiple NICS, resilient file system, etc, etc. And don't overlook Office365 or Google for mail and calendaring all rolled up together.
If you are looking to stick with On Premise solutions, Apple do list alternatives in their Support article ( https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht208312 ) .
For User Management both Open Directory and Profile Manager are staying in macOS Server.
For VPN take a look at OpenVPN or your Router/Firewall May include a VPN Server.
File Sharing is available within macOS.
Apple list their own Calendar and Contacts server as an alternative for macOS Server (which macOS Server uses) which means they are probably still looking to maintain it and being that it’s essentially the same thing the migration should be fairly straightforward.
Hope that helps!
I started transitioning the environment at my full-time job a while ago.
We dumped Profile Manager for Mosyle Manager (school-specific MDM). We were already using Google Apps / GSuite for email and calendars. We moved from Open Directory to Active Directory. VPN runs on our Cisco ASA.
I'm still running a 2009 Xserve, but at this point all it does is print sharing. I've found using Windows Server for print services with Mac clients can be a pain.
We dumped Profile Manager for Mosyle Manager (school-specific MDM). We were already using Google Apps / GSuite for email and calendars. We moved from Open Directory to Active Directory. VPN runs on our Cisco ASA.
I'm still running a 2009 Xserve, but at this point all it does is print sharing. I've found using Windows Server for print services with Mac clients can be a pain.
I prefer printing directly to the IP (or hostname) whenever possible. Having a print server is nice, but also creates a single point of failure.
Still running a Mini on 10.12 for a print server, and running PaperCut. PaperCut supports all platforms....but I have kept the Mini for the same reason.
At some point I might consider a Linux box or VM instead of Win so both server and client are CUPS. But I have not done any real research on it yet, much less testing. Just a hunch at this point.
[doublepost=1528902176][/doublepost]
How do you like it?
I see they offer a limited free version...I think I will be checking it out to compare against Meraki.
Last edited:
We're also using PaperCut — so a print server is a necessity to allow tracking and accounting. Otherwise, I agree with printing directly to IP / hostname.
We love Mosyle. It gives our teachers the ability to control the iPads in their classroom AND facilitates the use of Apple Classroom so they can watch iPad screens. We're using the premium edition, so it manages our iPads, Macs, and Apple TVs.
Just setup a Netboot and SUS alternative. No Mac required.
Using JAMF SUS as a VM on Synology NAS. Simply downloaded the Virtual Appliance (OVA file) and imported it to the (free) Synology VM Manager, and ran it.
Pretty Slick, super easy so far.
I have not configured anything yet....still need to test. All still defaults when screen shots grabbed.
Allocated 4GB of RAM, the requirement is only 1, 2 is probably fine. Will be setting up and testing Netboot to see if there are any issues moving forward with 10.13 and newer. Already have a SUS on the network....so don't expect to set that up.
Using JAMF SUS as a VM on Synology NAS. Simply downloaded the Virtual Appliance (OVA file) and imported it to the (free) Synology VM Manager, and ran it.
Pretty Slick, super easy so far.
I have not configured anything yet....still need to test. All still defaults when screen shots grabbed.
Allocated 4GB of RAM, the requirement is only 1, 2 is probably fine. Will be setting up and testing Netboot to see if there are any issues moving forward with 10.13 and newer. Already have a SUS on the network....so don't expect to set that up.
Last edited:
You want a Synology NAS or QNAP NAS smart NAS device! They’ll do everything you want and more! Look at some modern videos reviews on their devices before you buy one!