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macOS Server for Big Sur Frequently Asked Questions

Article ID = 241
Article Title = macOS Server for Big Sur Frequently Asked Questions
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 12th November 2020
Article Last Updated = 15th December 2020
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?241

Article Brief Description:
Frequently Asked Questions about macOS Server for Big Sur

macOS Server for Big Sur Frequently Asked Questions

macOS Server 5.11 Frequently Asked Questions

WARNING: Apple has gutted macOS Server and removed most/all of the useful Server features!
Q. When will macOS Server 5.11 be available?
A. macOS Server 5.11 was released on 14th December 2020. Buy it now on the Mac App Store
Q. How much does macOS Server 5.11 cost?
A. £19.99 on the Mac App Store Buy it now on the Mac App Store
Q. What does macOS Server 5.11 do if Apple has gutted it?
A. Not a lot! macOS Server 5.11'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 5.11 Servers
  • Mobile Access
  • Print
  • Tomcat
  • Axis
  • QuickTime Streaming Server (QTSS)
Q. If Apple has removed services is there any way to still run them?
A. Yes. See this Apple support article for links to third party/open source alternatives.
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:
Q. So, is there anything new in macOS Server 5.11?
A. According to Apple here are the new features in Profile Manager:
  • iOS/iPadOS
    • Automated Device Enrollment: Skip Restore Completed and Update Completed panes in Setup Assistant
    • Install non-removable managed apps
    • Exchange ActiveSync: Override previous password
    • Network Usage Rules: Configure SIM rules
    • Notifications: Allow Notification previews on lock screen
    • Restrictions: Allow App Clips
    • WiFi: Disable association MAC randomization
    • Include eSIM Identifier "EID" in device info
  • iPadOS
    • Education: Allow configuring only Shared iPad login window, not Classroom
    • Shared iPad: Manage quota-based users
    • Shared iPad: Disable temporary sessions
  • macOS
    • Configure Auto Advance
    • Automated Device Enrollment: Skip Accessibility pane in Setup Assistant, show Server Activation Lock Bypass Code in device security info
    • Install managed apps
    • Account Configuration: Managed local user short name
    • Associated Domains: Enable direct downloads
    • Content Caching: Auto-enable tethered caching, send ContentCachingInformation command
    • Restrictions: Allow apps to get file provider info, Defer app updates
  • iOS/iPadOS/macOS
    • VPN: Configure new system extension and network configuration keys
  • iOS/tvOS
    • Set time zone on supervised devices
Q. If Apple has removed services is there any way to still run them?
A. Yes. See this Apple support article for links to third party/open source alternatives.
Q. How can I buy macOS Server 5.11?
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. How many computers can I install macOS Server 5.11 on?
A. Consumers - you can purchase once and install macOS Server 5.11 on as many supported Macs as you own that are authorised with your Mac App StoreApple ID).
A. Businesses, commercial, education and/or site licence users - You can install macOS Server 5.11 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 macOS Server 5.11 on?
A. macOS Server 5.11 requires a Mac that can run macOS 11 Big Sur
NOTE: You will need an Apple ID to be able to download and install macOS 11 Big Sur and then purchase macOS Server 5.11 from the Mac App Store.
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 5.11?
A. macOS Server 5.11 requires a Mac with macOS 11 Big Sur installed on it so you can only run macOS Server 5.11 on a Mac that supports macOS 11 Big Sur.
Q. I'm using a compatible Mac with an old version of macOS / OS X and/or macOS / OS X Server on it. Can I still buy and install macOS Server 5.11?
A. You need to upgrade to/install macOS 11 Big Sur first and then buy macOS Server 5.11 from the Mac App Store: NOTE: Be warned, the Big Sur installer + macOS Server 5.11 is ~13GB in size so it may take some time to download on a slow internet connection.
Q. My internet connection is slow. Will this be a problem?
A. No. But the Big Sur installer + macOS Server 5.11 is ~13GB 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 macOS Server 5.11 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 13GB+ in size. What can I do?
A. macOS 11 Big Sur and macOS Server 5.11 are not available on disc or even a USB thumb drive so your options are:
  1. Use a different internet connection that does not have an internet access data cap in place.
  2. Go to an Apple Retail Store where you can install Big Sur + macOS Server 5.11 from their local server.
Q. I have a compatible Mac and I am already running macOS 11 Big Sur so how do I buy macOS Server 5.11?
A. See this article.
Q. If there is no physical macOS or Server discs and I install macOS + macOS Server 5.11 but run into trouble what can I do?
A. You have several options:
  • When macOS 11 Big Sur + macOS Server 5.11 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 5.11 (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 5.11 (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 5.11.
  • 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 5.11?
A. See this article.

Article Keywords: macOS 11 Big Sur 1100 Server 5.11 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ OSXserver511

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