what are the best ways to get practice with mac server and networking on a single MacBook pro?

[Carly G. Fleischmann]

Hello:

I just saw something that makes my wildest IT dreams start to kick off on YouTube and that was two videos about macs in the server environment. One as a simple home server and the other as an overview of true mac OS as server. My question is since I only have one MacBook Pro from late 2013 and a YIKES computer (severely under-powered PC) do any of you all know if there's a way to virtualize more macs on WXLM-MEDICAL1 using something like virtual box or similar that way I can practice server stuff and networking without having to physically buy more macs? Or does anyone around here know of anyone who is giving away old macs that still function just they have out grown them thus I can do my serverfooling on physical hardware rather than over-burdening WXLM-MEDICAL1? the reason I am asking for give away is because of my limited budget (government benefits thus there is really no way to save). I mean the fact that I got WXLM-MEDICAL1 for a decent price on deferred payments is a frigging miracle! with my limited budget, unboxing a new apple anything is just a pipe dream that will never be fulfilled without being financially irresponsible and ignoring other medical needs including rent. if I can get a few devices thrown my way everyone wins: I win because I get more hardware for testing, the person giving the stuff away wins because it's not cluttering up their life (storage, attic, etc.) and they get to help out what I at leas think is a worthy cause of helping someone learn a new skill. If it's possible I'd like to go the virtual machine route because the likelihood of anyone giving away physically functional old macs is less than anyone here hitting the lotto (just being realistic although I can sure voice my dreams can't I)

any help in this weirdness would be appreciated!

 

[throAU]

I'd suggest to not waste your time learning macOS server as Apple has discontinued the product as of a couple of years ago.

Learn Linux server instead (that's apple's suggested migration path for people with existing macOS server deployments) - Ubuntu is probably where you want to start.

I mean, if you're curious about it... go nuts. Just be aware that the job market/job prospects for it are pretty non-existent moving forward and you won't be able to keep macOS server secure long term as it has been abandoned.

i.e., if it is for getting some experience in the hope if becoming more qualified, don't waste your time with it.

 

[Carly G. Fleischmann]

I'd suggest to not waste your time learning macOS server as Apple has discontinued the product as of a couple of years ago.

Learn Linux server instead (that's apple's suggested migration path for people with existing macOS server deployments) - Ubuntu is probably where you want to start.

I mean, if you're curious about it... go nuts. Just be aware that the job market/job prospects for it are pretty non-existent moving forward and you won't be able to keep macOS server secure long term as it has been abandoned.

i.e., if it is for getting some experience in the hope if becoming more qualified, don't waste your time with it.

it's really just to satisfy my curiosity and to setup something I find cool in my room as a local file/accounts/etc. server. I went to a school where they used Apple RemoteDesktop and had an old xserv (not planning on getting one of those any time soon) and that was managed by workgroup manager and ARD and had all the usual server nonsense. I want to re-create that school setup just on a much smaller scale at some point. even the student machines and the coffee pot in the staff room were all managed by ARD. Seeing these 2 videos just re-sparked a curiosity in me that was there but never fully got resolved. I've seen the videos on how to do it, I've seen a lab instructor do it when I was in school... now I want to get my hands on it and try it for all it's worth.

 

[Queen6]

As suggested look to Linux as there will be a lot more easily available hardware to tinker about with. Even old Mac's tend to have an inherent value, if only for spares for the independent Mac specialists. You'll have a far better chance picking up unwanted PC's that are no longer viable for W10, however will easily run lightweight Linux distro's.

I always liked Solaris and was delighted when Open Solaris appeared on the scene, however it was killed off by Oracle, which effectively ended the OS in all practicalities and sadly my interest...

Q-6

 

[hobowankenobi]

As others have said, MacOS Server is all but dead. Yes, you can still get it, but it is mainly for MDM stuff, nothing like it used to be. Apple no longer supports alot of what you are asking about. To use the older version(s) that were more full featured, you would need Macs of an appropriate age, for both the server and the clients.

ARD is a stand alone product and is still available...no Server needed.

If you want to learn enterprise skills, you should look at Linux or even Win Server.

If you want to look at low cost, easy-to-manage, you might consider a Synology NAS. Their file sharing is better than it ever was on OS X Server, plus lots of other features...like your own cloud file syncing, backup up destination, media server, and they have the ability to have to run directory services to manage accounts.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

a YIKES computer (severely under-powered PC)

What do you mean? The Yikes! G4 is a very capable machine

do any of you all know if there's a way to virtualize more macs on WXLM-MEDICAL1 using something like virtual box or similar that way I can practice server stuff and networking without having to physically buy more macs?

IIRC you can get Snow Leopard and later to install and run in VirtualBox, but It's been a long while since I've tried it. You can also install some versions of OS X Server in a VM IIRC.

https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mac-os-server-104

https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mac-os-x-server-105

You should be able to install the first one on your Yikes! G4.

If you're feeling like trying out an interesting footnote in OS X dev history, try this on your G4

https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mac-os-x-server-12v3

I'd like to play around with OS X Server sometime and try to get a NetBoot environment set up so I wouldn't have to worry about always having a working optical drive. I'll probably wait until I can get a MacPro1,1 to do that though.

 

[Carly G. Fleischmann]

@RogerWilco6502,

sorry it has taken me forever and a day to respond of this particular thread because I forgot I even had an account here… But, in my case, when I refer to a “YIKES! computer“ I am Morceau referring to a very under powered Windows PC that falls over on itself running windows 10 because it had four gigs of RAM and 32 GB of SSD soldered to the board. And the whole thing was not upgradable. Thank God that machine died a much-needed death last year and was actually able to be repurposed by a roommate. I was getting frustrated with the damn thing. But any computer that meets the minimum specification of falling over on itself like it’s drunk trying to run windows 10 and doing a poor job of it is by my definition of the term a “YIKES! Computer”. I’ve heard stories of the fabled G4 yikes, and oh what I would love to get my hands on one of those. The term ”YIKES! computer” in this case is no disrespect to the original machine that bore the name of the G4 of it infamy from with an apple. The reason such a Windows PC is get the name of yikes by my definition is because even diehard windows users will inevitably say “yikes” were pulling their hair out. For more information, check out this link where I post a picture of the dang thing: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...purchase.2232787/?post=28405370#post-28405370

And sadly, due to financial reasons I had to wind up selling WXLM-MEDICAL1 and replacing it with slightly more powerful Windows machines. I hope one day to be able to get that Mac back or a newer Mac.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

@RogerWilco6502,

sorry it has taken me forever and a day to respond of this particular thread because I forgot I even had an account here… But, in my case, when I refer to a “YIKES! computer“ I am Morceau referring to a very under powered Windows PC that falls over on itself running windows 10 because it had four gigs of RAM and 32 GB of SSD soldered to the board. And the whole thing was not upgradable. Thank God that machine died a much-needed death last year and was actually able to be repurposed by a roommate. I was getting frustrated with the damn thing. But any computer that meets the minimum specification of falling over on itself like it’s drunk trying to run windows 10 and doing a poor job of it is by my definition of the term a “YIKES! Computer”. I’ve heard stories of the fabled G4 yikes, and oh what I would love to get my hands on one of those. The term ”YIKES! computer” in this case is no disrespect to the original machine that bore the name of the G4 of it infamy from with an apple. The reason such a Windows PC is get the name of yikes by my definition is because even diehard windows users will inevitably say “yikes” were pulling their hair out. For more information, check out this link where I post a picture of the dang thing: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...purchase.2232787/?post=28405370#post-28405370

And sadly, due to financial reasons I had to wind up selling WXLM-MEDICAL1 and replacing it with slightly more powerful Windows machines. I hope one day to be able to get that Mac back or a newer Mac.

Ohhh, ok. That makes more sense. xD

That's too bad, best of luck in reacquisition.

 

[Carly G. Fleischmann]

Ohhh, ok. That makes more sense. xD

That's too bad, best of luck in reacquisition.

Sorry for the confusion… but I hooe that one can kind of understand how any such computer (not just a windows computer) could be considered as a “YIKES! Computer”. I figured as did my team that the capitalization difference would for the most part be enough to differentiate between any generic “YIKES! Computer” and the fabled Yikes! G4. To further drive the difference, in the case of any computer (That is not the G4) we use the term “YIKES! Computer” as opposed to “YIKES! G4” or even more recently “Apple YIKES!” or “Apple YIKES! G4”. Hope this helps clear it up more and if you’ve got more suggestions on how to improve this, please let me know.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

Sorry for the confusion… but I hooe that one can kind of understand how any such computer (not just a windows computer) could be considered as a “YIKES! Computer”. I figured as did my team that the capitalization difference would for the most part be enough to differentiate between any generic “YIKES! Computer” and the fabled Yikes! G4. To further drive the difference, in the case of any computer (That is not the G4) we use the term “YIKES! Computer” as opposed to “YIKES! G4” or even more recently “Apple YIKES!” or “Apple YIKES! G4”. Hope this helps clear it up more and if you’ve got more suggestions on how to improve this, please let me know.

No worries at all! Yea, I understand the difference now and I get how a computer could be categorized as such.