Re: Mac Mini Server

Some folks may be missing the point of the Mac mini server's software  
and hardware.

----|  Software  |---------

The Mac mini server comes with "Snow Leopard Server", while the other  
Mac minis come with "Snow Leopard". Both are the same OS, Mac OS X,  
with the same code base.
http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/

The difference is that the server version of Mac OS X adds a slew of  
server-oriented programs such as file server, email server, web  
server, Java servlet server, calendar server, instant message server,  
Spotlight search server, Authentication servers, and much more. Many  
of these are open-source projects you could download and install on  
Mac OS X (non-Server). But Apple has saved you the time and trouble  
with Mac OS X Server.
http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/features/

Apple also built some software to wrap many of those programs for  
simplified administration.
http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/features/simple-administration.html

None of this will make your 4D Server run faster!!!
Just the opposite: More software competing for CPU and memory.

If you want a server to run only 4D Server, there is no need to buy  
Mac OS X Server.

Unlike certain other large vendors, Apple does not charge a fee for  
client computer licenses to use the server.

Mac OS X Leopard normally costs $500 for the server-side license. So  
being bundled in the new Mac mini Server is an excellent value.  
Assuming you want all that extra software.

----|  Hardware  |---------

The "Mac mini" and "Mac mini Server" have the same hardware except the  
DVD drive has been replaced by a second SATA laptop drive. So you have  
2 hard drives, both laptop-size 2.5", and larger half-terabyte each.  
That allows you to use Apple's bundled RAID software to mirror the 2  
drives for safety.

People have alwasy been hacking their little minis to make low-end  
servers. Recent models have used a SATA connection for the DVD drive.  
So people would remove the DVD drive, cut a hole in the case, and run  
a SATA cable from the internal connector to an external SATA drive or  
SATA RAID device.

SATA = speed  (faster even than FireWire)
RAID = safety

Apple has recognized this market for low-end servers, and has now  
chosen to serve that market directly.

http://www.apple.com/macmini/
http://www.apple.com/macmini/server/

With gigabit Ethernet, 4 gigs of memory, dual cores, fast bus, and  
SATA connectors, the Mac mini is an excellent server value. For $200  
extra, you get the second hard drive and Mac OS X Server.

What you don't get, as in a "real server", is redundant higher-quality  
power supplies, redundant fans, higher-performance and higher- 
reliability hard drives, hardware-based RAID, and lights-out management.

----|  Missing DVD Drive  |---------

If you need a CD/DVD drive, Apple sells an external SuperDrive for  
$99. Runs over USB cable, not FireWire. Self-powered over the USB cable.

CAUTION: Beware that this Apple SuperDrive draws more electricity than  
supplied by the USB standard, so it can only be used by specially- 
designed computers. As far as I know, that means only the MacBook Air  
and the newest Mac minis.

Apple MacBook Air SuperDrive
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB397G/A

I have had success in using a similar external DVD drive from LaCie.
http://www.lacie.com/us/products/range.htm?id=10037

--Basil Bourque

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