OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Server FAQ (for UK Users)

Article ID = 71
Article Title = OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Server FAQ (for UK Users)
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 25 July 2012
Article Last Updated = 27 November 2012 12:56
Article URL = http://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?71

Article Brief Description:
Frequently Asked Questions about OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Server aka OS X Server 2 (for UK users)

OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Server Frequently Asked Questions for UK Users

Q. When will Mountain Lion Server be available?

A. Mountain Lion Server was released on the 25th July 2012. It is now called "OS X Server 2".

Q. How much does OS X Server 2 cost?

A. £13.99 on the Mac App Store Buy it now on the Mac App Store

Q. OS X Server used to cost £100s. Why is it so cheap?

A. OS X Server 2 is not the same beast that older versions of OS X Server used to be. Although it is still very powerful and now amazing value for money you should note that the following services are no longer included in OS X Server 2:

WebMail
MailMan (can be built and installed manually)
Auto Vacation Replies
Podcast Producer
Podcast Publisher
Server Status Dashboard widget
Management of Non-OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Servers
Firewall (replaced with service in OS X client)
DHCP (replaced with service in OS X client but not compatible with NetInstall)
NAT (replaced with service in OS X client)

The following services in Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Server were removed in Lion Server so are no longer part of OS X Server (2):

MySQL (replaced with PostgreSQL)
FTP Server (no GUI but can still be enabled via the command line)
Mobile Access
Print
Tomcat
Axis
QuickTime Streaming Server (QTSS)
Wiki-based mailing lists and archives

Q. How can I buy OS X Server 2?

A. Consumers can buy it directly from the Mac App Store.
A. Business customers can purchase volume licences for Apple software directly from Apple by calling 0800 058 2222 or through the Apple Store for Business. Volume licence contracts and maintenance agreements are available for all Apple products with a minimum quantity of 20 licences.
A. Education customers can purchase Apple software directly from Apple by contacting their Apple education account representative, or through the Apple Store for Education. Volume licence contracts are available at a 50 per cent discount per licence with a minimum quantity of 20 licences.

Q. I bought a Mac Pro / mini "Server" recently. Do I get a discount to buy OS X Server 2?

A. Yes. The OS X Mountain Lion Server Up-To-Date upgrade is available at no additional charge via the Mac App Store to customers who purchased a qualifying new Mac system from Apple or an Apple Authorised Reseller. If you bought your Mac:

between 11th June 2012 and 25th July 2012 - you must request your free Up-To-Date upgrade by 24th August 2012.
on or after the 26th July 2012 - you must request your free Up-To-Date upgrade within 30 days of purchase.

Go to the Apple OS X Server Up-To-Date site to claim your software.

Q. How many computers can I install OS X Server 2 on?

A. Consumers - you can purchase once and install OS X Server 2 on as many supported Macs as you own that are authorised with your Mac App Store ID (Apple ID).
A. Businesses, commercial, education and/or site licence users - You can install OS X Server 2 on as many computers as you have purchased the software individually for or have a licensed installation for - there is a minimum purchase of 20 licenses.

Q. What Macs can I install OS X Server 2 on?

A. OS X Server 2 requires a Mac that can run OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion so any 64 bit EFI based Mac with an Intel Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, i7 or Xeon processor, a minimum of 2GB of RAM, 8GB of available disk space and modern graphics capability. Some early Intel Macs only have a 32 bit EFI and/or old graphics so you will not be able to run Mountain Lion on those computers. Supported Macs include:

iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
Xserve (Early 2009)

NOTE: You will need an Apple ID to be able to purchase OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion on the Mac App Store.

Q. Which older graphics systems / 32 bit EFI based Macs are not be supported?

A. The following Macs are not supported by OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2:

Any Mac with integrated Intel GMA 950/X3100, NVIDIA GeForce 7300 or ATI/AMD Radeon X1900 graphics
Intel Core 2 Duo MacBook and MacBook Pros from Late 2007 to Late 2008 (Model Numbers: MB061*/B, MB062*/B, MB063*/B, MB402*/A MB403*/A MB404*/A, MB402*/B - Identifiers: MacBook2,1, MacBook3,1, MacBook4,1, MacBookPro2,1, MacBookPro2,2)
The Mid-2007 Mac mini (Model Numbers: MB138*/A, MB139*/A - Identifier: MacMini2,1)
Late 2006 polycarbonate iMac (Model Number: MA710xx/A - Identifiers: iMac5,1, iMac5,2, iMac6,1)
The original Early 2008 MacBook Air (Model Number: MB003LL/A - Identifier: MacBookAir1,1)
The original 2006 Mac Pro and its 8-core 2007 update (Identifiers: MacPro1,1, MacPro2,1)
Late 2006 and Early 2008 Xserves (Identifiers: Xserve1,1, Xserve2,1)

Q. How can I check what specifications my computer has or what model it is/graphics capability it has?

A. You can check "Processor", "Memory" and Mac OS X "Version" by going to Apple menu > About This Mac.
A. To check what "model" you have the model number is usually printed on the outside of the computer somewhere.
A. To be more specific and exact you can check what "Identifier" your Mac has by:

If you are running Mac OS X 10.4.x/10.5.x/10.6.x go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Profiler application will open) select "Hardware" on the left and check what it says for 'Model Identifier' on the right. Then under Hardware on the left select "Graphics/Displays" and check what it says for 'Video Card' on the right (you may have two cards listed, one for integrated graphics and one for discrete graphics).
If you are running OS X 10.7.x go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Information application will open) click "Overview" in the top left (this will now show the 'Graphics' capability) then click the "System Report" button > select "Hardware" on the left and check what it says for 'Model Identifier' on the right.
If you are running OS X 10.8.x you're ready to buy OS X Server 2.

Q. I have a Mac with a "Core Duo" / "Core Solo" which is an Intel processor. Why can't I run OS X Server 2?

A. OS X Server 2 requires a Mac with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion which is a full 64 bit operating system. The original Intel "Core Duo" and "Core Solo" processors are only 32 bit processors. If you want to run OS X Server 2 you will have to buy a new computer.

Q. I have a powerful Mac Pro / Xserve or a Mac with an early "Core 2 Duo" which is a more modern Intel processor. Why can't I run OS X Server 2?

A. OS X Server 2 requires a Mac with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion which is a full 64 bit operating system that requires a 64 bit capable EFI. Some early Macs with Intel processors only have a 32 bit capable EFI so although the processor is good enough to run Mountain Lion the EFI part isn't cable of doing so. In theory Apple could update the EFI with a firmware update but this is not likely happen, sorry. So, if you want to run OS X Server 2 you will have to buy a new computer.

Q. I have a Mac Pro and I've upgraded the graphics card. Can I run OS X Server 2?

A. No. OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion is required for OS X Server 2 and the OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion installer checks the model identifier (and not the graphics capability) so even if you have upgraded your card you still won't be able to install Mountain Lion. In theory Apple could change the way the installer checks the hardware but this is not likely. So, if you want to run OS X Server 2 you will probably have to buy a new computer.

Q. My Mac has the correct type of processor but I don't have enough RAM. What can I do?

A. All the supported Macs can run at least 2GB of RAM so all you need to do is upgrade your RAM to at least 2GB. In the UK we recommend Kingston Technology lifetime warranty memory for your Mac. Most Macs usually only have two memory slots so it is best to upgrade to as much RAM as you can afford the first time. If your Mac supports 8GB or more then upgrade to the maximum.

Q. I'm using an Intel Mac with Mac OS X 10.4.x/10.5.x/10.6.x/10.7.x (Server) on it. Can I still buy and install OS X Server 2?

A. You need to upgrade to/install OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and then buy OS X Server 2 from the Mac App Store:

If you have Mac OS X 10.4/10.5 you will need to buy/upgrade to/install Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard first and then buy/install OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion on the Mac App Store + OS X Server 2.
If you have Mac OS X 10.6 or OS X 10.7 you simply need to buy/install Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2.

NOTE: Be warned, the Mountain Lion installer + OS X Server 2 is 4.5GB+ in size so it may take some time to download.

Q. My internet connection is slow. Will this be a problem?

A. No. The Mountain Lion installer + OS X Server 2 is 4.5GB+ in size so it may simply take a while to download depending on the speed of your internet connection.

Q. I don't have a permanent connection to the internet. Will this be a problem?

A. Yes. The Mac App Store purchase of OS X Server 2 will require an internet connection. See the options listed in answer to the next question.

Q. I have an internet access data cap in place / I cannot download something that is 4.5GB+ in size. What can I do?

A. Mountain Lion is not available on a USB thumb drive so your options are:

Use a different internet connection that does not have an internet access data cap in place.
Go to an Apple Retail Store where you can install Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 from their local server.

Q. I have a compatible Mac and I am running Mac OS X 10.6.x/10.7.x/10.8.x so how do I buy OS X Server 2?

A. See this article.

Q. If there is no physical Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 disc and I install Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 but run into trouble what can I do?

A. If you purchased OS X Server 2 from the Mac App Store:

When Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 is installed it creates a special bootable emergency "recovery" area on your hard disk. You can Use the OS X "Recovery HD" to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If you have created an emergency external USB recovery drive using Apple's Recovery Disk Assistant you can use it to boot your computer from and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If you have a Time Machine backup disk it may have an OS X "Recovery HD" partition on it which you can use to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If you have obtained the OS X Disc Image you can use it to create an Install DVD then boot your computer from it and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2.
If you have created an External Installation Device you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2.
If you have created an Emergency Boot Drive for OS X you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk.

A. If your Mac came with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2:

Your Mac has a special bootable emergency "recovery" area on your hard disk. You can Use the OS X "Recovery HD" to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If you have created an emergency external USB recovery drive using Apple's Recovery Disk Assistant you can use it to boot your computer from and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If you have a Time Machine backup disk it may have an OS X "Recovery HD" partition on it which you can use to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If your hard disk has died (or you have upgraded it) you can use your computer's "Internet Recovery Mode" to reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If you have created an External Installation Device you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2.
If you have created an Emergency Boot Drive for OS X you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk.

Q. What should I do to prepare for Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2?

A. See this article.

Article Keywords: 108 Mountain Server Frequently Asked Questions FAQ OSXserver2

This article is © MacStrategy » a trading name of Burning Helix. Apple, the Apple logo, and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

If this information helped you or saved you time and/or money why not donate a little to us via PayPal?
All proceeds go directly to MacStrategy / Burning Helix Limited to help fund this web site.

If this information helped you or saved you time and/or money why not donate a little to us via PayPal?
All proceeds go directly to MacStrategy / Burning Helix Limited to help fund this web site.

Go to this
web page
to donate to us.