Windows Server vs Mac OSX Server
Hi All,
I have a big question here and need a lot of help. I want to set up a server. I use mostly Macs, but have headless Windows computers here and there (everything is at the same location) to do other tasks. I want to know the benefits of a Windows 2008 Server over Mac Lion server or even just a windows or mac computer doing file sharing.
Right now, I am testing out using Mac Server. It is set up so that I can connect to its file server from anywhere very simply. But that is about it.
I really only need a file server, but I would like to do VPN if possible, DHCP I honestly just leave up to my router as it really doesn't matter to me. Computer management would be nice. I really don't know.
What are the features of Windows Server like active directory and all of that? Web hosting etc?
I have business class internet and multiple IP addresses as well.
I just want to get insight from everyone.
I have a big question here and need a lot of help. I want to set up a server. I use mostly Macs, but have headless Windows computers here and there (everything is at the same location) to do other tasks. I want to know the benefits of a Windows 2008 Server over Mac Lion server or even just a windows or mac computer doing file sharing.
Right now, I am testing out using Mac Server. It is set up so that I can connect to its file server from anywhere very simply. But that is about it.
I really only need a file server, but I would like to do VPN if possible, DHCP I honestly just leave up to my router as it really doesn't matter to me. Computer management would be nice. I really don't know.
What are the features of Windows Server like active directory and all of that? Web hosting etc?
I have business class internet and multiple IP addresses as well.
I just want to get insight from everyone.
You might take a look at a Linux server like Ubuntu. It's 'free' though you can get paid support if you want it. You can set it up without the restrictions that Windows servers have, especially in the area of licensing. Might be a little learning curve to using it but shouldn't be too bad.
ASKER
Thanks for all of the information. I would like to stay away from Linux.
Cost is not a concern to me right now. I am more focused on what suit my needs better. I would think Lion Server would do this as we have mostly Macs.
But what I am concerned about is usability like users, sharing, things like that. Also, what exactly is Active Directory and Open Directory and why do I need it? What about VPN?
Cost is not a concern to me right now. I am more focused on what suit my needs better. I would think Lion Server would do this as we have mostly Macs.
But what I am concerned about is usability like users, sharing, things like that. Also, what exactly is Active Directory and Open Directory and why do I need it? What about VPN?
You have to keep in mind that while server software is an important factor, server hardware is critical. If you can't run a good hardware RAID to protect against disk failure (something that will happen to both mac and pc) or redundant power supplies (power supplies fail - mac or PC). Macs are... oh, sorry, were ... serious about server hardware... they killed their server line about a year ago. At least you could virtualize it... oh, sorry... you can't - Apple doesn't allow you to run MacOS on anything other than Apple non-server class hardware... oh well... do you really want to go with a server that doesn't have any serious backing from it's maker? Apple killed the server hardware line... who is to say they won't kill the OS next month...
If you want to play with a server that shares some similarities you could look at a BSD based linux variant... otherwise, for a small business, you'd be better advised going with either Server 2008 R2 Foundation edition or SBS 2011 Essentials.
If you want to play with a server that shares some similarities you could look at a BSD based linux variant... otherwise, for a small business, you'd be better advised going with either Server 2008 R2 Foundation edition or SBS 2011 Essentials.
Hi mfranzel,
I would have to agree with leew in that something like SBS/SBS Essentials is probably the way to go. My apologies if I am way off base, but it sounds like you're new to the whole server thing. In this case, something like SBS Essentials is ideal as it is designed to be administered by people who are not experienced server administrators. There are a lot of other things to consider here, not least of all the version of OS X you're running on your Macs. If you are running 10.5+ you can join your Macs to Active Directory and use centrally-managed usernames/passwords to connect to the server and file shares, etc. In basic terms, Active Directory allows you to centrally manage users/shares, etc. SBS and especially SBS Essentials has a simplified user interface to manage all of this.
Here are a couple of articles on it:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2394239,00.asp
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows-server/windows-small-business-server-2011-essentials-140451
DHCP, VPN, file shares, etc, are all easily handled by both OS X server and all (most) variants of Windows Server. In fact, my recommendation would be that you definitely use the server for all of these functions rather than your router.
There are some issues with Mac/Windows compatibility but on the whole they play well together these days. Introducing a server into a network is almost always a good idea but make sure you've got your backup well-covered. Good luck with your decision.
B.
I would have to agree with leew in that something like SBS/SBS Essentials is probably the way to go. My apologies if I am way off base, but it sounds like you're new to the whole server thing. In this case, something like SBS Essentials is ideal as it is designed to be administered by people who are not experienced server administrators. There are a lot of other things to consider here, not least of all the version of OS X you're running on your Macs. If you are running 10.5+ you can join your Macs to Active Directory and use centrally-managed usernames/passwords to connect to the server and file shares, etc. In basic terms, Active Directory allows you to centrally manage users/shares, etc. SBS and especially SBS Essentials has a simplified user interface to manage all of this.
Here are a couple of articles on it:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2394239,00.asp
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows-server/windows-small-business-server-2011-essentials-140451
DHCP, VPN, file shares, etc, are all easily handled by both OS X server and all (most) variants of Windows Server. In fact, my recommendation would be that you definitely use the server for all of these functions rather than your router.
There are some issues with Mac/Windows compatibility but on the whole they play well together these days. Introducing a server into a network is almost always a good idea but make sure you've got your backup well-covered. Good luck with your decision.
B.
ASKER
BTechAU,
Thank you for the indepth information. You are right, I do not have so much experience in servers.
So you are saying I can join my macs to AD for centralized user and user file management?
Thank you for the indepth information. You are right, I do not have so much experience in servers.
So you are saying I can join my macs to AD for centralized user and user file management?
ASKER
Also, what about remotely accessing files etc from Mac and PCs?
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ASKER
Makes sense. I didn't even think of it that way. Sometimes you overlook the simplest thing. Thanks for everyone's input.
You can use individual Macs or PC's as servers, but my recollection is that they will be restricted to 10 concurrent connections unless you have server software.
You might find this article useful: http://www.anandtech.com/show/4547/mac-os-x-lion-server-review