Why some users are using a Mac as a file server?

[hajime]

Hi, I have read some users are doing that. What are the reasons for having a file server? Usually I just plug and unplug a USB storage to different computers as needed, for backup and file sharing.

What are the pros and cons of connecting a multi-bay DAS enclosure to a Mac and then use the Mac as a file server for other computers or iOS devices vs connecting the DAS to whichever device we need whenever we need?

 

[mfram]

The advantage is you don't need to physically move the DAS around. A file server allows other devices on the network to access the storage without having to move anything around. That way backups can happen automatically and unattended.

 

[hajime]

That sounds good. Are there good reasons to use a Mac rather than a PC as the file/cloud server? What are the cons? Used to be a Mac user but since Apple moved to silicon Mac, PC is my main computer as I need Windows for my work.

 

[kitKAC]

Surely people are just using what old kit they have lying around?

 

[Longkeg]

Are there good reasons to use a Mac rather than a PC as the file/cloud server?

Probably not. Both will do the job. As I upgrade to newer, faster Macs, the older machines get recycled as servers. A file server doesn’t need the newest processor or fastest GPU. They just need to work. And older Macs do that quite well.

 

[Boyd01]

Surely people are just using what old kit they have lying around?

Exactly. I turned my 2012 Mini into a "headless" server when I got a new Mac. I already had four 5tb hard drives so I plugged them all in and use it as a time machine destination and for archival storage. The advantage of using a Mac is.... it's a Mac! I already have it, know how to use it and it only takes one click to make it a server by turning on file sharing.

 

[hajime]

Probably not. Both will do the job. As I upgrade to newer, faster Macs, the older machines get recycled as servers. A file server doesn’t need the newest processor or fastest GPU. They just need to work. And older Macs do that quite well.

So the saying that MacOS is more secure and thus using it as a file/cloud server is more secure than using a Windows PC is invalid?

 

[Longkeg]

Dude! Do whatever you want. MacOS right out of the box, without third party security upgrades is probably secure enough for the average home user. Is it NSA grade security? No. But most people don’t need that.

Windows has gotten better over the years. If you’re comfortable working with windows and have enabled all the security protocols you’re probably just as secure as with the un-enhanced MacOS.

Understand, most people don’t care about or want CIA level security. They want it good enough to keep the average ability hacker from seeing their data. Face it, if the NSA (or any government agency) wants to break in to my Mac and look at my hard drives, they have that capability. Same for Windows.

Bottom line: use what you’re comfortable with and use common sense. Maybe some sensitive files shouldn’t be on a server. Nobody can access a USB stick if it locked in a drawer.

 

[Longkeg]

So the saying that MacOS is more secure and thus using it as a file/cloud server is more secure than using a Windows PC is invalid?

Who says that? Might have been true 20 years ago but….

Read my previous reply.