In-Depth with Mac OS X Lion Server
by Andrew Cunningham on August 2, 2011 8:00 AM ESTMac OS X Server costs 5% of what it cost just three years ago. Whatever your needs and whatever the software’s shortcomings, this is hard to ignore. Leopard Server cost $999 for an unlimited-client license, Snow Leopard Server cost $499, and Lion Server costs $50.
For this reason alone, Lion Server will (and should) attract the attention of people who have never been in the market for server software before - home users, in particular - but it has to do so without alienating the business and education customers who currently rely on the software. These are Lion Server’s challenges: is there a real point in having it at home? And as a comparatively-dirt-cheap App Store download, is it lacking in features and power compared to previous versions?
I want to clarify a couple of things before I dive into the review proper: First, just like previous versions, Lion Server is very much just OS X with server functionality laid over top of it. In appearance, performance, system requirements, and operation, it is mostly identical to OS X client. I’ll point you to our massive review of Lion if you need to know more about any of that.
Second, know that I’m approaching this review from a different angle than the Lion client review - while most people interested in an OS X review have at least a passing familiarity with the software, this review will be the first exposure to OS X Server for many of you. For that reason, among the descriptions of Lion Server’s features and comparisons with past versions of the software, I’m going to be going a little more in-depth about how to actually configure the services. Hopefully the newbies among you can use these instructions as jumping-off points as you explore the software on your own.
Last, OS X Server can do a lot of things - some (like mail and DHCP) can be handled by many different products, but others (like Open Directory, NetBoot, or the OS X and iOS management features) are pretty unique to OS X Server. I’m going to try to at least touch upon every single service and tool in OS X Server, but I’ll generally focus more on the unique stuff for the purposes of this review.
Got all that? Good! Let’s jump in.
87 Comments
View All Comments
jedimed - Thursday, August 04, 2011 - link
Does anyone know if Lion Server supports any DLNA media streaming? Replyjay2901 - Saturday, August 06, 2011 - link
sorry if this has been answered already...but if you aren't interested in legacy nt domain controller functionality, can you join a windows 7 pc to lion server's open directory? would love to use this in a mixed (50-50) environment with mac/pcs without needing active directory. ReplyATOmega - Monday, August 08, 2011 - link
Such a limiting selection of hardware and functionality.Running a server, it makes more sense to take advantage of the strong updates and packages in Debian/Ubuntu and just run with that.
I mean, if you're crazy about the Apple hardware, go nuts! But it's clear what Apple really does with server is integrate a handful of half baked UIs with otherwise free software packages. Calling it a "server edition" changes little from an existential perspective.
I'll never understand the appeal of paying up to 3x more to get the same if not less... Reply
tumme_totte - Tuesday, August 09, 2011 - link
Andrew, you say that Windows computers can't join the OD since a Lion OD Master can't be Primary Domain Master for Windows. But in the documentation Apple says something else:https://help.apple.com/advancedserveradmin/mac/10....
Can this be verified? Windows 7 machines can't be joined to Leopard Server (neither Server 2008) and I was hoping Lion would solve this. Reply
Te-Moz - Sunday, August 14, 2011 - link
Andrew, you can set up device management with a self signed SSL certificate.Obviously it's 'nicer' to have one that's authority signed, but for us, we just need Lion server to control our Macs and iPads, push updates and provide some shared storage. (Educational setting)
Great article, and if you wanted to do one on setting up a golden triangle with Lion Server OD and Win AD, then I'm sure a lot of folk would fine that really helpful also. ;) Reply
battguide - Thursday, October 20, 2011 - link
FUJITSU FM-33 노트북 배터리 ，http://www.laptopbattery.kr/battery-p.php/1+FUJITS...상품 수령 후 4 - 15일 이내에 신청하실 수 있습니다. >> 수출: 전세계. 상품 수령 후 4 - 35일 이내에 신청하실 수 있습니다 Reply
battguide - Thursday, October 20, 2011 - link
I am very Anxious,because my DELL laptop battery died.Until I find a website of offering high quality brand new discount laptop battery,If you Buy replacement laptop battery at http://www.laptopinc.com.au you will get High quality +Low price+perfect service+100% guarantee+1 year warranty+30 days money back+fast shipping.A high capacity will give your laptop a new life!【Dell 312-0504 Replacement Laptop Battery ，http://www.laptopinc.com.au/laptop-battery-p.php/1...】 Reply
battguide - Sunday, October 23, 2011 - link
ONLINE STORE :
===( www laptopinc COM AU )======
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) More laptop batteries available on our website --
3) Perfect quality, small order accepted .
4) High quality +Low price+perfect service+100% guarantee+1 year warranty+30 days money back+fast shipping.
5) Save up to 40% on all laptop batteries at www.laptopinc.com.au
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reply
battguide - Sunday, October 23, 2011 - link
BOSCH BAT038 Replacement Power Tool Battery ，Order the BOSCH BAT038 Power Tool Battery Today Risk Free - 1 Year Warranty, 30 Day Money Back, Free Shipping, and Secure Online Ordering Guaranteed! http://www.laptopinc.com.au/laptop-battery-p.php/6... Replybattguide - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
Your satisfaction is our eternal pursuit!█田█田█.∴★∵**☆．∴★∵**☆．
█田█田█∴★∵**☆．∴★∵**☆．—- [[ w w w -( laptopinc )- c o m ](AU)]
█田█田█.★∵**☆．∴★∵**☆．
█████．*******************
=== {{w w w }} {{ laptopinc }} {{ com }} {{AU}}==== Reply