macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Article ID = 181Article 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.xContacts- hidden in macOS Server 5.6.xMail- hidden in macOS Server 5.6.xMessages- 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.xAirport Management- hidden in macOS Server 5.6.x
- File Sharing (replaced with service in macOS client)
- Time Machine server (replaced with service in macOS client - network Time Machine backups supported over SMB only)
- FTP
- Caching (replaced with service in macOS client)
- Xcode (replaced with Xcode for macOS client)
- WebMail
- MailMan (can be built and installed manually)
- Auto Vacation Replies
- Podcast Producer
- Podcast Publisher
- Server Status Dashboard widget
- Management of Non-macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 Servers
- Firewall (replaced with service in macOS client)
- NAT (replaced with service in macOS client)
- MySQL (replaced with PostgreSQL)
- Mobile Access
- Tomcat
- Axis
- QuickTime Streaming Server (QTSS)
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
- Messages
- VPN
- Websites (Apache)
- Wiki
- DHCP
- DNS
- NetInstall
- Open Directory
- Software Update
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'.
- 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".
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:- When macOS High Sierra + macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 is installed it creates a special bootable emergency "recovery" area on your hard disk. You can Use the macOS "Recovery HD" to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall macOS + macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 (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 macOS + macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 (internet connection required).
- If you have a Time Machine backup disk it may have an macOS "Recovery HD" partition on it which you can use to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall macOS + macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3 (internet connection required).
- If you have obtained the macOS 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 macOS + macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3
- If you have created an External Installation Device you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall macOS + macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3
- If you have created an Emergency Boot Drive for macOS you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk.
Q. What should I do to prepare for macOS Server 5.4-5.6.3?
A. See this article.
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 to help fund this web site.
All proceeds go directly to MacStrategy / Burning Helix 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 to help fund this web site.
Go to this
web page
to donate to us.
All proceeds go directly to MacStrategy / Burning Helix to help fund this web site.
Go to this
web page
to donate to us.