How good is OS X Server?
Can any seasoned sysdamins tell me why isn't OS X server used more considering Macs are quite popular and the closes competitor to Windows?
Comments
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Remedymp
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IIRC, the US Army did switch to OSX server some years ago. I do not know what they currently use. -
tpatt100
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I think it's just meant to be used for small businesses? I know Apple discontinued their Xserve rack mount servers and sell it for use on the Mac Min now a days. -
DoubleNNs
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I think OS X server is more of a competitor to Linux/Unix than Windows Server. So why not go with Linux/Unix instead?
OS X server is most likely only used for very, very specific applications that only run on the OS. I've seen OS X servers in 3 of my previous jobs, but they've never been the predominant platform and I've never cared enough to figure out what he general use case of the platform is, to be honest.Goals for 2018:
Certs: RHCSA, LFCS: Ubuntu, CNCF CKA, CNCF CKAD | AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, AWS Solutions Architect Pro, AWS Certified Security Specialist, GCP Professional Cloud Architect
Learn: Terraform, Kubernetes, Prometheus & Golang | Improve: Docker, Python Programming
To-do | In Progress | Completed -
jibbajabba
Member Posts: 4,317 ■■■■■■■■□□
Probably like with anything Apple - Price ...My own knowledge base made public: http://open902.com
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UnixGuy
Mod Posts: 4,570 Mod
As a sysadmin, I couldn't justify WHY would I ever use OS X or apple hardware for a server. Other vendors win. -
Deathmage
Banned Posts: 2,496
Being a former Mac OS X Administrator before getting my A+, which I did for a small school for 13 months. Windows Server blows away MAC OS X server. It's neat to play around with it in a VM, but I'd much rather use Windows. You'd only find a OS X server if the organization has a significant Apple Desktop presence.
Let's put it this way, when my ACSP expiried I didn't shed a tear... -
kj0
Member Posts: 767
I was a huge fan of Mac OSX Server back before 10.7 - It was brilliant, but I had Open Directory talking back to Active Directory as all the environments I was in was mixed. I personally would not use OS X server for a site that requires a directory. I found that OS X since 10.7 was only good for SUS, and Image deployments, etc - and the extra features like Wiki, profile management, etc. Nothing more than a Mac Mini/iMac couldn't handle.
10.6 was beautifully laid out with loads of a features. I was upset that they stopped Server Admin Tools after 10.7 - but then I found DeployStudio for deploying OS X images. -
Deathmage
Banned Posts: 2,496
I worked with 10.6 for nearly 2 years, loved it, got the ACSP. then 10.7 came out and I hated it....
So glad I left that job and started at PCG as a IT Manager working with Microsoft....and well you all know the rest.
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J_86
Member Posts: 262 ■■□□□□□□□□
OS X Server is just an add on to OS X. It's really geared towards smaller setups, not the enterprise. One of the "selling points" is how easy to setup it is, without IT professionals.
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v1ral
Member Posts: 116 ■■□□□□□□□□
Good to know, thanks for clearing it up folks.
Sometimes Apple's minimalist mentality is horrendous on a medium to large environment
. Good thing my work is only getting a small amount of iMac for advertisement/marketing department and Windows Server supports Macs without any problems so no OS X server.
