?Should machines served by Xserve run OS X server or client?
?Does added RAM mean a greater number of computers served/more reliable/faster connections?
?How much RAM is necessary to serve 15 computers well (fast and reliable)?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Mind you, I've never actually USED an XServe, but I'll do my best to give you a hand...
1) Yes, it's got a video card in an AGP slot.
2) Sure, but if you're going to use it as a desktop replacement, it's supposed to be VERY loud. There is an option to use it headless, but it is just an option.
3) The clients would run OS X client.
4) & 5) More RAM would help, but if you're talking about as few as 15 clients, I'd guess the stock RAM would be enough, depending on what they were doing with the machine.
I hope this helps, and by all means if I've messed up, someone feel free to correct me.
[quote]Sure, but if you're going to use it as a desktop replacement, it's supposed to be VERY loud. There is an option to use it headless, but it is just an option.<hr></blockquote>I'm setting up a PO for my school's journalism lab and I'm looking to order about 15 eMacs/iBooks with one Xserve. The Xserve won't be a desktop replacement and I'm wondering if I can save $200 by not ordering a crappy Mitsubishi monitor; can the Xserve be controlled remotely through OS X Client?
all of your questions will likely be answered there. after you've done just a teeny tiny bit of research, how 'bout you come back and ask your questions?
Ours arrived last week. It has cool admin functionality (the remote system monitoring tools) but its loud as hell, so dont expect to use it as a desktop replacement (It needs an isolated room to take out the noise, and theres a fan problem wich some people report to be software based and apple is working on a patch
One of the departments on campus ordered one as a new photoserver for a design dept. The blasted thing STILL hasn't arrived yet. It was ordered months ago!!!
[quote]after you've done just a teeny tiny bit of research, how 'bout you come back and ask your questions?<hr></blockquote>I'm sorry if my questions offended you but I'm trying to get a few things cleared up. Apple's website states: The ultimate early warning system: Xserve extends the power of Mac OS X Server with Server Monitor with Server Monitor.
However, I was just told that machines served by Xserve run OS X Client and Xserve doesn't require a monitor. How, therefore, am I able to manage the server? Is it best to leave one client computer running OS X Server?
<strong>Apple's website states: The ultimate early warning system: Xserve extends the power of Mac OS X Server with Server Monitor with Server Monitor.
However, I was just told that machines served by Xserve run OS X Client and Xserve doesn't require a monitor. How, therefore, am I able to manage the server? Is it best to leave one client computer running OS X Server?</strong><hr></blockquote>
You were told that the Xserve doesn't require a physical computer monitor. The Server Monitor is a program that allows you to check the statistics of Mac OS X Server from a distance, and now this is enhanced because the Xserve can check your processor temperature, etc.
While I do respect the asking of questions on these boards over the meaningless spreading and decapitating of rumors, you should do a little more research and thought before you post, as someone else on this thread has already mentioned.
<strong>I'm sorry if my questions offended you but I'm trying to get a few things cleared up. Apple's website states: The ultimate early warning system: Xserve extends the power of Mac OS X Server with Server Monitor with Server Monitor.</strong><hr></blockquote>
XServe extends the power of the Mac OS X Server software running on the XServe. The exact version of OS X running on the client doesn't matter.
And no, you don't NEED a monitor, but it would probably make your life a lot easier if there was one that you could hook up from time to time. You can get a cheap VGA monitor for $20. Don't sweat it.
Thanks for the replies. This is the first Apple hardware order my school has had since 1994 and it's unlikely we'll get another one until 2010. And I'm obviously completely clueless when it comes to servers, I'm just trying to get exactly what we'll need; anyway, thanks again.
Xserve is, in fact, loud. *VERY VERY* loud. You do not want it in the same room as you.
Monitor
You /can/ run the Xserve without a physical monitor hooked up to it. You will probably not want to do so. If you're short on space, get a switch that lets you share a moniter/keyboard/mouse with more than one computer--this is probably your best option, actually, since you will almost *never* need to use the monitor/keyboard/mouse with the Xserve because of...
Xserve can be administered remotely
You can install special software on another Mac and use it to log into your running Xserve to administer it. Everything from checking the processor(s)'s tempurature to rebooting the machine itself. You can do this over the internet. It is very handy.
More ram is good
You will get better performance with more ram. It doesn't matter how much you can "get away with." Ram is cheap: fill it up.
Software RAID only (also, no 5)
Sorry. No hardware RAID. And no RAID 5. I expect this will change in the future. And don't forget that there is a Fiber channel 14 bay RAID box coming by year's end.
Client machines
Xserve doesn't care what the machines "being served" by it are: OS X, OS 9, Windows, whatever.
Xserve is *huge*
It sticks about a foot or more out of the front of our rack. The box it came in is over three feet long.
Xserve is mighty noisy
Did I mention that it is mad loud? Four harddrives and two fans make for a terribly noisy box.
I am curious if anyone has a DB meter that could measure how loud it really is. OSHA has limits for how much noise can be in a confined space with people.
Schools may not be allowed to have them in areas where people(students) are.
For confined space the rules are much stricter, for outdoors and open space(warehouse type space) we use the following rule:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established 70 dBA as a safe average for a 24-hour day. (This figure is based only on the risk to hearing, and does not take into account other health factors such as loss of sleep.) Since sound intensity doubles with every increase of 3 dB, the time of safe exposure would be cut in half with each such increase.
( This is if working within 10 meters of the sound source )
<strong>So, there is only one poster at AppleInsider who's got an xserve (BerberCarpet)??
Come on! There must be others! (not that there is anything wrong with BerberCrapet or anything - but there must be more than just one)</strong><hr></blockquote>
Just received one this morning (in Germany). Now I know where Apple put all the fans they didn't use for the Cubes ;-). The XServe we got is a Dual-G4 machine with 1 GB of RAM and 3 120 GB drives. So far, most things work (except for the full-duplex ifconfig bug, grrr... but this is fixed in 10.2, Apple promised).
We'll be using this machine as our central server (file, mail, web, print, VPN gateway etc.) with a variety of Windows XP, Linux and OS X client attached including connection to an ADSM backup server so this will probably be interesting to configure ;-).
I understand we got one at the college where I work, but the IT department hasn't figured out how to install it in the rack, so it isn't running yet! <img src="graemlins/embarrassed.gif" border="0" alt="[Embarrassed]" />
Comments
<strong>I see. it seems like such a trivial thing not to include</strong><hr></blockquote>
<img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
? Is it necessary/practical to connect a monitor?
?Should machines served by Xserve run OS X server or client?
?Does added RAM mean a greater number of computers served/more reliable/faster connections?
?How much RAM is necessary to serve 15 computers well (fast and reliable)?<hr></blockquote>can anyone answer?
<strong>I have a few quick questions:
? Can Xserve connect to a monitor out of the box?
? Is it necessary/practical to connect a monitor?
?Should machines served by Xserve run OS X server or client?
?Does added RAM mean a greater number of computers served/more reliable/faster connections?
?How much RAM is necessary to serve 15 computers well (fast and reliable)?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Mind you, I've never actually USED an XServe, but I'll do my best to give you a hand...
1) Yes, it's got a video card in an AGP slot.
2) Sure, but if you're going to use it as a desktop replacement, it's supposed to be VERY loud. There is an option to use it headless, but it is just an option.
3) The clients would run OS X client.
4) & 5) More RAM would help, but if you're talking about as few as 15 clients, I'd guess the stock RAM would be enough, depending on what they were doing with the machine.
I hope this helps, and by all means if I've messed up, someone feel free to correct me.
<strong>
<img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>
no need to shake your head. you're just as dumb as I am... I just tend to showcase it more often
all of your questions will likely be answered there. after you've done just a teeny tiny bit of research, how 'bout you come back and ask your questions?
-alcimedes
<strong>I heard they were shipping last Friday. So has anyone got one yet?
[ 06-24-2002: Message edited by: othello ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
Ours arrived last week. It has cool admin functionality (the remote system monitoring tools) but its loud as hell, so dont expect to use it as a desktop replacement (It needs an isolated room to take out the noise, and theres a fan problem wich some people report to be software based and apple is working on a patch
However, I was just told that machines served by Xserve run OS X Client and Xserve doesn't require a monitor. How, therefore, am I able to manage the server? Is it best to leave one client computer running OS X Server?
<strong>Apple's website states: The ultimate early warning system: Xserve extends the power of Mac OS X Server with Server Monitor with Server Monitor.
However, I was just told that machines served by Xserve run OS X Client and Xserve doesn't require a monitor. How, therefore, am I able to manage the server? Is it best to leave one client computer running OS X Server?</strong><hr></blockquote>
You were told that the Xserve doesn't require a physical computer monitor. The Server Monitor is a program that allows you to check the statistics of Mac OS X Server from a distance, and now this is enhanced because the Xserve can check your processor temperature, etc.
While I do respect the asking of questions on these boards over the meaningless spreading and decapitating of rumors, you should do a little more research and thought before you post, as someone else on this thread has already mentioned.
<strong>I'm sorry if my questions offended you but I'm trying to get a few things cleared up. Apple's website states: The ultimate early warning system: Xserve extends the power of Mac OS X Server with Server Monitor with Server Monitor.</strong><hr></blockquote>
XServe extends the power of the Mac OS X Server software running on the XServe. The exact version of OS X running on the client doesn't matter.
-aoeu
Xserve is noisy
Xserve is, in fact, loud. *VERY VERY* loud. You do not want it in the same room as you.
Monitor
You /can/ run the Xserve without a physical monitor hooked up to it. You will probably not want to do so. If you're short on space, get a switch that lets you share a moniter/keyboard/mouse with more than one computer--this is probably your best option, actually, since you will almost *never* need to use the monitor/keyboard/mouse with the Xserve because of...
Xserve can be administered remotely
You can install special software on another Mac and use it to log into your running Xserve to administer it. Everything from checking the processor(s)'s tempurature to rebooting the machine itself. You can do this over the internet. It is very handy.
More ram is good
You will get better performance with more ram. It doesn't matter how much you can "get away with." Ram is cheap: fill it up.
Software RAID only (also, no 5)
Sorry. No hardware RAID. And no RAID 5. I expect this will change in the future. And don't forget that there is a Fiber channel 14 bay RAID box coming by year's end.
Client machines
Xserve doesn't care what the machines "being served" by it are: OS X, OS 9, Windows, whatever.
Xserve is *huge*
It sticks about a foot or more out of the front of our rack. The box it came in is over three feet long.
Xserve is mighty noisy
Did I mention that it is mad loud? Four harddrives and two fans make for a terribly noisy box.
Schools may not be allowed to have them in areas where people(students) are.
For confined space the rules are much stricter, for outdoors and open space(warehouse type space) we use the following rule:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established 70 dBA as a safe average for a 24-hour day. (This figure is based only on the risk to hearing, and does not take into account other health factors such as loss of sleep.) Since sound intensity doubles with every increase of 3 dB, the time of safe exposure would be cut in half with each such increase.
( This is if working within 10 meters of the sound source )
[ 07-15-2002: Message edited by: MrBillData ]</p>
<strong>
no need to shake your head. you're just as dumb as I am... I just tend to showcase it more often</strong><hr></blockquote>
lol! good point
Come on! There must be others! (not that there is anything wrong with BerberCrapet or anything
<strong>So, there is only one poster at AppleInsider who's got an xserve (BerberCarpet)??
Come on! There must be others! (not that there is anything wrong with BerberCrapet or anything
Just received one this morning (in Germany). Now I know where Apple put all the fans they didn't use for the Cubes ;-). The XServe we got is a Dual-G4 machine with 1 GB of RAM and 3 120 GB drives. So far, most things work (except for the full-duplex ifconfig bug, grrr... but this is fixed in 10.2, Apple promised).
We'll be using this machine as our central server (file, mail, web, print, VPN gateway etc.) with a variety of Windows XP, Linux and OS X client attached including connection to an ADSM backup server so this will probably be interesting to configure ;-).