OS X Server 5 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Article ID = 141
Article Title = OS X Server 5 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 17th September 2015
Article Last Updated = 26th January 2018
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?141

Article Brief Description:
Frequently Asked Questions about OS X Server 5

OS X Server 5 Frequently Asked Questions

WARNING: Apple is gutting future versions of their Server product and removing most/all of the useful Server features!

Q. When will OS X Server 5 be available?

A. OS X Server 5 was released on the 17th September 2015 - it was replaced with macOS Server 5.2 on the 20th September 2016. However, you can still purchase/download it from the Mac App Store.

Q. How much does OS X Server 5 cost?

A. £19.99.

Q. Apple's Server software used to cost £100s. Why is it so cheap?

A. OS X Server is not the same beast that older versions of Apple's Server software used to be but it is still very powerful and now amazing value for money. The following services are included with OS X Server:

Caching
Calendar
Contacts
DHCP
DNS
File Sharing
FTP
Mail
Messages
NetInstall
Open Directory
Profile Manager
Software Update
Time Machine
VPN
Websites (Apache)
Wiki
Xcode
Xsan

You should note that the following services are not included in OS X Server:

WebMail
MailMan (can be built and installed manually)
Auto Vacation Replies
Podcast Producer
Podcast Publisher
Server Status Dashboard widget
Management of Non-OS X Server 5 Servers
Firewall (replaced with service in OS X client)
NAT (replaced with service in OS X client)
MySQL (replaced with PostgreSQL)
Mobile Access
Print
Tomcat
Axis
QuickTime Streaming Server (QTSS)

Q. How can I buy/obtain OS X Server 5?

A. See our article on how to purchase/download it from the Mac App Store.

Q. What Macs can I install OS X Server 5 on?

A. OS X Server 5 requires a Mac that can run OS X 10.11 El Capitan.

Q. How can I check what specifications my computer has?

Q. Which Mac do I have?

A. You can check "Processor", "Memory" and macOS/OS X/Mac OS X "Version" by going to Apple menu > About This Mac > Overview tab if necessary (hint - clicking on the version number will give you the "build" number).
A. To check your Mac's "Model Name" go to Apple menu > About This Mac > Overview tab if necessary > check for the computer name in the top line e.g. "MacBook Pro" (this can only be checked with OS X 10.7 or later)
A. To check your Mac's model date version go to Apple menu > About This Mac > Overview tab if necessary > check the details after the Model Name e.g. "Early 2015" (this can only be checked with OS X 10.7 or later) - to be more specific and exact you can check what "Model Identifier" your Mac has by:

If you are running Mac OS X 10.6 or earlier go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Profiler application will open) select "Hardware" in the top left > check what it says for 'Model Identifier' on the right.
If you are running OS X 10.7 or OS X 10.8 go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Information application will open) select "Hardware" in the top left > check what it says for 'Model Identifier' on the right under 'Hardware Overview'.
If you are running OS X 10.9 or later go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "Overview" tab in the top left > click the "System Report…" button > (the System Information application will open) select "Hardware" in the top left > check what it says for 'Model Identifier' on the right under 'Hardware Overview'.

A. To check what graphics capability your Mac has:

If you are running Mac OS X 10.6 or earlier go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Profiler application will open) select "Graphics/Displays" under 'Hardware' in the top left (click the triangle down if necessary) > click on the 'Video Card' on the right to see the technical information below.
If you are running OS X 10.7 or OS X 10.8 go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Information application will open) select "Graphics/Displays" under 'Hardware' in the top left (click the triangle down if necessary) > click on the 'Video Card' on the right to see the technical information below.
If you are running OS X 10.9 or later go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "Overview" tab in the top left > click the "System Report…" button > (the System Information application will open) select "Graphics/Displays" under 'Hardware' in the top left (click the triangle down if necessary) > click on the 'Video Card' on the right to see the technical information below. With OS X 10.11 or later here you will also find whether your GPU supports "Metal".

A. To check your Mac's "Model Number" it is usually printed/engraved on the outside of the computer somewhere (it usually begins with the letter A or M).

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 5?

A. OS X Server 5 requires a Mac that can run OS X 10.11 El Capitan

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. If there is no physical OS X or Server discs and I install OS X + OS X Server 5 but run into trouble what can I do?

A. You have several options:

When OS X + OS X Server 5 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 OS X + OS X Server 5 (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 OS X + OS X Server 5 (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 OS X + OS X Server 5 (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 OS X + OS X Server 5.
If you have created an External Installation Device you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall OS X + OS X Server 5.
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 OS X Server 5?

A. See this article.

Article Keywords: OS X OSX 1011 El Capitan Server Frequently Asked Questions FAQs OS X Server 5 OSXserver5

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