How good is OS X Server?

v1ralv1ral Member Posts: 116 ■■□□□□□□□□
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

  • RemedympRemedymp Member Posts: 834 ■■■■□□□□□□
    IIRC, the US Army did switch to OSX server some years ago. I do not know what they currently use.
  • tpatt100tpatt100 Member Posts: 2,991 ■■■■■■■■■□
    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.
  • DoubleNNsDoubleNNs Member Posts: 2,015 ■■■■■□□□□□
    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.
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  • jibbajabbajibbajabba Member Posts: 4,317 ■■■■■■■■□□
    Probably like with anything Apple - Price ...
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  • UnixGuyUnixGuy Mod Posts: 4,564 Mod
    As a sysadmin, I couldn't justify WHY would I ever use OS X or apple hardware for a server. Other vendors win.
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  • DeathmageDeathmage 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...
  • kj0kj0 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.
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  • DeathmageDeathmage 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. icon_wink.gif
  • J_86J_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.
  • v1ralv1ral 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 icon_sad.gif. 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.
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