macOS Server 5.9 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Article ID = 221
Article Title = macOS Server 5.9 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 9th October 2019
Article Last Updated = 4th May 2022
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?221

Article Brief Description:
Frequently Asked Questions about macOS Server 5.9

macOS Server 5.9 Frequently Asked Questions

WARNING: Apple has gutted macOS Server and removed most/all of the useful Server features!

Q. When will macOS Server 5.9 be available?

A. macOS Server 5.9 was released on the 8th October 2019. It has now been discontinued.

Q. How much did macOS Server 5.9 cost?

A. £19.99.

Q. What does macOS Server 5.9 do if Apple has gutted it?

A. Not a lot! macOS Server 5.9's features are:

Profile Manager
Open Directory
Xsan
DHCP - service is still included but there is no Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Firewall - pf firewall service is still included but there is no Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Websites (Apache) - service is still included but there is no Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Net Boot / Net Install - services are still included but there is no Graphical User Interface (GUI)

You should note that the following services that may have been in older versions of Apple's server software products are no longer included in macOS Server:

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
Caching - replaced with Content Caching service in macOS client
FTP
Server Docs
DNS
VPN
Mail Server
Calendar
Wiki
Contacts
Messages
RADIUS
Airport Management
Software Update
Xcode (replaced with Xcode for macOS client)
NAT
MySQL
WebMail
MailMan (can be built and installed manually)
Auto Vacation Replies
Podcast Producer
Podcast Publisher
Server Status Dashboard widget
Management of Non-macOS Server 5.9 Servers
Mobile Access
Print
Tomcat
Axis
QuickTime Streaming Server (QTSS)

Q. What alternatives/GUI applications do you recommend?

A. We're testing various solutions and will update this article over time. Not all alternatives are free. We recommend:

FTP
Server Docs
DHCP
DNS
VPN
Firewall
Mail Server

Mailing Lists --> MailMan can be built and installed manually
WebMail
Auto Vacation Replies

Calendar
Wiki
Websites
Contacts
Net Boot/Net Install
Messages
RADIUS
MySQL - can be installed manually
(Axis) Print Server
Tomcat - can be installed manually

Q. So, is there anything new in macOS Server 5.9?

A. According to Apple here are the new features in Profile Manager:

iOS, macOS, tvOS

WiFi: Configure WPA3 Personal security type

iOS and macOS

Add consent text to manually downloadable and enrollment profiles
Configure extensible single sign-on payload

Skip Dark Mode and Welcome panes in Setup Assistant
Configure new supervised only restrictions for allowing external drive access in Files app, continuous path keyboards, and force Wi-Fi to on
Exchange ActiveSync: Enable Mail, Calendar, Contacts, and Reminders individually for managed accounts
Single App Mode: Configure Voice Control
Refresh enterprise eSIM cellular plans

macOS

Support Web-based authentication for Device Enrollment Program
Skip Screen Time and TouchID panes in Setup Assistant
Configure new account configuration options for DEP enrolment
Display Secure Boot and External Boot levels in Device Information
Support Bootstrap Token to enable mobile accounts to sign in on FileVault Macs
Manage Activation Lock: Enable Activation Lock, Clear Activation Lock, automatically fetch Activation Lock Bypass Code on Catalina enrolled Macs
Configure automatic macOS updates and app updates
Dock: Configure double click, recents, and tab settings
Configure Associated Web Domains payload
Configure Content Caching as infrastructure

tvOS

Configure whether device will sleep

Q. How can I buy macOS Server 5.9?

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 5.9 on?

A. macOS Server 5.9 requires a Mac that can run macOS 10.15 Catalina

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/Intel based Mac. Why can't I run macOS Server 5.9?

A. macOS Server 5.9 requires a Mac with macOS 10.15 Catalina installed on it so you can only run macOS Server 5.9 on a Mac that supports macOS 10.15 Catalina.

Q. If there is no physical macOS or Server discs and I install macOS + macOS Server 5.9 but run into trouble what can I do?

A. You have several options:

When macOS 10.15 Catalina + macOS Server 5.9 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 5.9 (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 5.9 (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 5.9 (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 macOS + macOS Server 5.9.
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 5.9?

A. See this article.

Article Keywords: macOS 1015 Catalina Server 5.9 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ OSXserver59

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