Best Budget Mac for OSX Server?

macfanuk · 15 Aug 2010 at 15:58

I'm looking to try my hand at setting up a network using OSX server and I was just wondering what's the cheapest mac I could get away with using? Would it be a G5 Powermac or would I be better off getting an Intel Mac?

theheyes · 15 Aug 2010 at 16:32

What do you want to get out of it specifically? Just networking skills or are you going to eventually put it to use?

macfanuk · 15 Aug 2010 at 16:48

theheyes said:
What do you want to get out of it specifically? Just networking skills or are you going to eventually put it to use?

Erm, not really sure to be honest. I've just finished a degree in Networks and Internet Technology so learnt a fair bit about setting up Windows Servers but I would like to learn how to set up an OSX network.

If it works well enough, I would like to put it to use as a file server/ftp server maybe.

SeraphX · 16 Aug 2010 at 07:37

for a basic server you would prolly be best picking up a old single 1.6Ghz powermac G5, it's not really worth forking out for a intel mac just for that

bigredshark · 16 Aug 2010 at 07:49

10.6 Server is intel only, I'd get an early intel mac mini for it, there's no point in learning previous version if you're going to the trouble of learning it at all...

Vonhelmet · 16 Aug 2010 at 08:31

Aye, an old single core Mini should be pretty cheap these days.

theheyes · 16 Aug 2010 at 16:33

I'd agree with the Intel Mac - it would be more useful to you in future should it take on the role of a testing box.

The only reservation I would have is that even if you got a cheap one it seems like a lot of money to spend on just learning the ropes on OSX server. If you're familiar with client OSX and can set up Windows server then I can't see you having much trouble with OSX server should you need to use it as part of your job or something.

craptakular · 16 Aug 2010 at 16:45

Dare I suggest such a thing in the apple forum, but wouldn't it be better to learn unix/(proper

) BSD/Solaris server management.

Isn't linux/BSD the most popular/lucrative?

Vonhelmet · 16 Aug 2010 at 19:35

Oxy said:
Dare I suggest such a thing in the apple forum, but wouldn't it be better to learn unix/(proper ) BSD/Solaris server management.

Isn't linux/BSD the most popular/lucrative?

OS X would be just another string to the bow, I guess.

Besides, Linux can be run on nigh on any old hardware and costs nothing so if he's got the cash for an old Mini, then fair enough.

BTW, OP, for reference, it looks like an old Core Solo Mac Mini would cost you somewhere between £250 and £350.

theheyes · 16 Aug 2010 at 19:40

Oxy said:
Dare I suggest such a thing in the apple forum, but wouldn't it be better to learn unix/(proper ) BSD/Solaris server management.

Isn't linux/BSD the most popular/lucrative?

This was along the lines I was thinking. Bread and butter server roles are quite similar across platform and your thought process coming from Windows will stand you in good stead.

Of course, there isn't a substitute for getting down to the nitty gritty of using the OSX server interface but unfortunately you'll be looking at forking out for the privilege.