MacOS Server

Overview

Mac OS X Server was provided as the operating system for Xserve computers, rack mounted server computers designed by Apple. Also, it was optionally pre-installed on the Mac Mini and Mac Pro and was sold separately for use on any Macintosh computer meeting its minimum requirements.

macOS Server is based on an open source foundation called Darwin and uses open industry standards and protocols. It included services and applications for file sharing, sharing contact information and calendars, schedule events, send secure instant messages, conduct live video conferences, send and receive email, contribute to and comment in wikis, publish a company-wide blog, produce and distribute podcasts, and set up websites.

Versions

Box artwork for Mac OS X Server versions 10.1–10.6

Mac OS X Server 1.0 (Rhapsody)

The first version of Mac OS X was Mac OS X Server 1.0. Mac OS X Server 1.0 – 1.2v3 were based on Rhapsody, a hybrid of OPENSTEP from NeXT Computer and Mac OS 8.5.1. The GUI looked like a mixture of Mac OS 8's Platinum appearance with OPENSTEP's NeXT-based interface. It included a runtime layer called Blue Box for running legacy Mac OS-based applications within a separate window. There was discussion of implementing a 'transparent blue box' which would intermix Mac OS applications with those written for Rhapsody's Yellow Box environment, but this would not happen until Mac OS X's Classic environment. Apple File Services, Macintosh Manager, QuickTime Streaming Server, WebObjects, and NetBoot were included with Mac OS X Server 1.0 – 1.2v3. It could not use FireWire devices.

Mac OS X Server 10.0 (Cheetah)

Released: May 21, 2001

Mac OS X Server 10.0 included the new Aqua user interface, Apache, PHP, MySQL, Tomcat, WebDAV support, Macintosh Manager, and NetBoot.

Mac OS X Server 10.1 (Puma)

Released: September 25, 2001

Mac OS X Server 10.1 featured improved performance, increased system stability, and decreased file transfer times compared to Mac OS X Server 10.0. Support was added for RAID 0 and RAID 1 storage configurations, and Mac OS 9.2.1 in NetBoot.^[6]

Mac OS X Server 10.2 (Jaguar)

Released: August 23, 2002

The 10.2 Mac OS X Server release includes updated Open Directory user and file management, which with this release is based on LDAP, beginning the deprecation of the NeXT-originated NetInfo architecture. The new Workgroup Manager interface improved configuration significantly. The release also saw major updates to NetBoot and NetInstall. Many common network services are provided such as NTP, SNMP, web server (Apache), mail server (Postfix and Cyrus), LDAP (OpenLDAP), AFP, and print server. The inclusion of Samba version 3 allows tight integration with Windows clients and servers. MySQL v4.0.16 and PHP v4.3.7 are also included.

Mac OS X Server 10.3 (Panther)

Released: October 24, 2003

The 10.3 Mac OS X Server release includes updated Open Directory user and file management, which with this release is based on LDAP, beginning the deprecation of the NeXT-originated NetInfo architecture. The new Workgroup Manager interface improved configuration significantly. Many common network services are provided such as NTP, SNMP, web server (Apache), mail server (Postfix and Cyrus), LDAP (OpenLDAP), AFP, and print server. The inclusion of Samba version 3 allows tight integration with Windows clients and servers. MySQL v4.0.16 and PHP v4.3.7 are also included.^{[citation needed]}

Mac OS X Server 10.4 (Tiger)

Released: April 29, 2005

The 10.4 release adds 64-bit application support, Access Control Lists, Xgrid, link aggregation, e-mail spam filtering (SpamAssassin), virus detection (ClamAV), Gateway Setup Assistant, and servers for Software Update, iChat Server using XMPP,^[7] Boot Camp Assistant, Dashboard, and weblogs.

On August 10, 2006, Apple announced the first Universal Binary release of Mac OS X Server, version 10.4.7, supporting both PowerPC and Intel processors. At the same time Apple announced the release of the Intel-based Mac Pro and Xserve systems.

Mac OS X Server 10.5 (Leopard Server)

The Mac OS X Leopard Server running Server Admin on Desktop

Released: October 26, 2007. Leopard Server sold for $999 for an unlimited-client license.^[8] Mac OS X Server version 10.5.x ‘Leopard’ was the last major version of Mac OS X Server to support PowerPC-based servers and workstations such as the Apple Xserve G5 and Power Mac G5.

Features

• RADIUS Server. Leopard Server includes FreeRADIUS for network authentication. It ships with support for wireless access stations however can be modified into a fully functioning FreeRADIUS server.^[9]
• Ruby on Rails. Mac OS X Server version 10.5 ‘Leopard’ was the first version to ship with Ruby on Rails, the server-side Web application framework used by sites such as GitHub.^[10]

Mac OS X Server 10.6 (Snow Leopard Server)

Released: August 28, 2009

Snow Leopard Server sold for $499 and included unlimited client licenses.^[8]

New Features:

• Full 64-bit operating system. On appropriate systems with 4 GB of RAM or more, Snow Leopard Server uses a 64-bit kernel to address up to a theoretical 16 TB of RAM.^[11]
• iCal Server 2 with improved CalDAV support, a new web calendaring application, push notifications and the ability to send email invitations to non-iCal users.
• Address Book Server provides a central location for users to store and access personal contacts across multiple Macs and synchronized iPhones. Based on the CardDAV protocol standard.
• Wiki Server 2, with server side Quick Look and the ability to view wiki content on iPhone.
• A new Mail server engine that supports push email so users receive immediate access to new messages. However, Apple's implementation of push email is not supported for Apple's iPhone.
• Podcast Producer 2 with dual-source video support. Also includes a new Podcast Composer application to automate the production process, making it simple to create podcasts with a customized, consistent look and feel. Podcast Composer creates a workflow to add titles, transitions and effects, save to a desired format and share to wikis, blogs, iTunes, iTunes U, Final Cut Server or Podcast Library.
• Mobile Access Server enables iPhone and Mac users to access secured network services, including corporate websites, online business applications, email, calendars and contacts. Without requiring additional software, Mobile Access Server acts as a reverse proxy server and provides SSL encryption and authentication between the user's iPhone or Mac and a private network.

Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion Server)

Released: July 20, 2011

In releasing the developer preview of Mac OS X Lion in February 2011, Apple indicated that beginning with Lion, Mac OS X Server would be bundled with the operating system and would not be marketed as a separate product.^[12] However, a few months later, the company said it would instead sell the server components as a US$49.99 add-on to Lion, distributed through the Mac App Store (as well as Lion itself).^[13] The combined cost of an upgrade to Lion and the purchase of the OS X Server add-on, which costs approximately US$50,^[8] was nonetheless significantly lower than the retail cost of Snow Leopard Server (US$499).

Lion Server came with unlimited client licenses as did Snow Leopard Server.

Lion Server includes new versions of iCal Server, Wiki Server, and Mail Server.^[14] More significantly, Lion Server can be used for iOS mobile device management.

Starting with Apple Mac OS X Server Version 10.7 “Lion,” PostgreSQL replaces MySQL as the database provided with Mac OS X Server, coinciding with Oracle Corporation’s acquisition of Sun Microsystems and Oracle’s subsequent attempts to tighten MySQL’s licensing restrictions and to exert influence on MySQL’s previously open and independent development model.^[15]

OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion Server)

Released: July 25, 2012.

Like Lion, Mountain Lion had no separate server edition. An OS X Server package was available for Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store for US$19.99, which included a server management application called Server, as well as other additional administrative tools to manage client profiles and Xsan.^[16][17]

Mountain Lion Server, like Lion Server, was provided with unlimited client licenses, and once purchased could be run on an unlimited number of systems.

OS X 10.9 (Mavericks Server)

Released: October 22, 2013.

There is no separate server edition of Mavericks, just as there was no separate server edition of Mountain Lion.^[18] There is a package, available from the Mac App Store for $19.99, that includes a server management app called Server, as well as other additional administrative tools to manage client profiles and Xsan,^[18] and once purchased can be run on an unlimited number of machines. Those enrolled in the Mac or iOS developer programs are given a code to download OS X Server for free.

OS X 10.10 (Yosemite Server 4.0)

Released: October 16, 2014.

There is no separate server edition of Yosemite, just as there was no separate server edition of Mavericks. There is a package, available from the Mac App Store for $19.99, that includes a server management app called Server, as well as other additional administrative tools to manage client profiles and Xsan, and once purchased can be run on an unlimited number of machines. Those enrolled in the Mac or iOS developer programs are given a code to download OS X Server for free.

OS X 10.11 (Server 5.0)

Released: September 16, 2015.

Version 5.0.3 of OS X Server operates with either OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 and OS X El Capitan 10.11.

OS X 10.11 (Server 5.1)

Released: March 21, 2016.

OS X Server 5.1 requires 10.11.4 El Capitan, as previous versions of OS X Server won't work on 10.11.4 El Capitan.

macOS 10.12 (Server 5.2)

Released: September 20, 2016.

Version 5.2 of macOS Server operates with either OS X El Capitan 10.11 or macOS Sierra 10.12.

macOS 10.12 (Server 5.3)

Released: March 17, 2017.

Version 5.3 of macOS Server only operates on macOS Sierra (10.12.4) and later.

For macOS Server 5.3.1:

macOS 10.13 (Server 5.4)

Released: September 25, 2017.

Version 5.4 of macOS Server only operates on macOS High Sierra (10.13) and later.

macOS 10.13.3 (Server 5.5)

Released: January 23, 2018.

Version 5.5 of macOS Server only operates on macOS High Sierra (10.13.3) and later.

macOS 10.13.5 (Server 5.6)

Released: April 24, 2018.

Version 5.6 of macOS Server only operates on macOS High Sierra (10.13.5) and later.

macOS 10.14 (Server 5.7)

Released: September 28, 2018.

Version 5.7 of macOS Server only operates on macOS Mojave (10.14) and later.

With this version Apple stopped bundling open source services such as Calendar Server, Contacts Server, the Mail Server, DNS, DHCP, VPN Server, and Websites with macOS Server.^[20] Included services are now limited to Profile Manager, Open Directory and Xsan.^[20]

macOS 10.14 (Server 5.8)

Released: March 25, 2019.

Version 5.8 of macOS Server only operates on macOS Mojave (10.14.4) and later. Profile Manager supports new restrictions, payloads, and commands.

macOS 10.15 (Server 5.9)

Released: October 8, 2019.

Version 5.9 of macOS Server only operates on macOS Catalina (10.15) and later.^[2]

macOS 10.15 (Server 5.10)

Released: April 1, 2020.

Version 5.10 of macOS Server only operates on macOS Catalina (10.15) and later.^[2]

macOS 11 (Server 5.11)

Released: December 15, 2020.

Version 5.11 of macOS Server only operates on macOS Big Sur (11) and later.

Server administrator tools

• Beginning with the release of OS X 10.8 – Mountain Lion – there is only one Administrative tool – "Server.app". This application is purchased and downloaded via the Mac App Store. This application is updated independently of macOS, also via the Mac App Store.

This Server tool is used to configure, maintain and monitor one or more macOS Server installations.

One purchase allows it to be installed on any licensed macOS installation.

• The following information applies only to versions of Mac OS X Server prior to Mountain Lion (10.8)

Mac OS X Server comes with a variety of configuration tools that can be installed on non-server Macs as well:

• Server Admin
• Server Preferences (application)
• Server Assistant
• Server Monitor
• System Image Utility
• Workgroup Manager
• Xgrid Admin

System requirements

Technical specifications