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macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Article ID = 181
Article Title = macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 25th September 2017
Article Last Updated = 4th May 2022
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?181

Article Brief Description:
Frequently Asked Questions about macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3

macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 Frequently Asked Questions

WARNING: As of September 2018 Apple has gutted macOS Server and removed most/all of the useful Server features!
Q. When will macOS Server 5.4 be available?
A. macOS Server 5.4 was released on the 25th September 2017 - it was replaced with macOS Server 5.7.1 on the 28th September 2018. However, you can still purchase/download it from the Mac App Store.
Q. How much did macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 cost?
A. £19.99.
Q. What's the difference between Server 5.6.3 and earlier versions?
A. macOS Server 5.4.x/5.5.x includes multiple services.
A. macOS Server 5.6.x includes multiple services - you get all the services but some of them may be hidden in the Server administration application (you can unhide them).
Q. Apple's Server software used to cost £100s. Why is it so cheap?
A. macOS Server is not the same beast that older versions of Apple's Server software used to be and it will be further gutted in the future. But for the significantly low cost versus the currently provided services it's pretty good value for money - just don't plan to run a business with these services for the mid to long-term. The following services are included with macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3:
  • Standard Services
    • Calendar - hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
    • Contacts - hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
    • Mail - hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
    • Messages - hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
    • Profile Manager
    • VPN - hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
    • Websites (Apache) - hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
    • Wiki - hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
  • Advanced Services
    • DHCP - hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
    • DNS - hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
    • NetInstall - hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
    • Open Directory
    • Software Update - hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
    • Xsan
    • RADIUS - hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
    • Airport Management - hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
You should note that the following services that may have been in older versions of Apple's server software products are not included in macOS Server:
Q. Apple has said many services are being hidden/removed from Spring 2018. How does this affect macOS Server and what I can do with it?
A. mac OS Server 5.4 included all listed services. macOS Server 5.6.3 and later appears to still include all listed services but many of them are now hidden on the main Server application administration window. The following services are now hidden and most of these services are planned to be removed from a later version of Server (macOS Server 5.8 for macOS 10.14 due in the autumn/fall of 2018):
  • Calendar
  • Contacts
  • Mail
  • Messages
  • VPN
  • Websites (Apache)
  • Wiki
  • DHCP
  • DNS
  • NetInstall
  • Open Directory
  • Software Update
The Server application administration window now only shows the following services: macOS Server 5.6 standard services Server application administration window However, you can still access most of the hidden services by using the View menu from within the Server application: macOS Server 5.6 hidden services accessible via the View menu in the Server application
Q. How can I buy/obtain macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3?
A. As of 21st April 2022 OS X Server/macOS Server is no longer available as Apple has discontinued it.
Q. What Macs can I install macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 on?
A. macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 requires a Mac that can run macOS 10.13 High Sierra.
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 good Intel processor. Why can't I run macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3?
A. macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 requires a Mac with macOS 10.13 High Sierra installed on it so you can only run macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 on a Mac that supports macOS 10.13 High Sierra.
Q. If there is no physical macOS or Server discs and I install macOS + macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 but run into trouble what can I do?
A. You have several options:
Q. What should I do to prepare for macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3?
A. See this article.

Article Keywords: macOS 1013 High Sierra Server 5.4 5.6.x Frequently Asked Questions FAQ OSXserver54 OSXserver56

This article is © MacStrategy » a trading name of Burning Helix. As an Amazon Associate, employees of MacStrategy's holding company (Burning Helix sro) may earn from qualifying purchases. 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.


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