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ArticleBot · Jan 10, 2005, 09:51

This is an article discussion thread for discussing the SitePoint article, "The Apple Xserve - an Introduction"

Geof Harries · Jan 10, 2005, 09:51

We are ordering a 2.3 ghz dual G5 xserve this week, but it depends on what shows up at Macworld in a few days. This article really shows why; it's a killer system that serves many needs. We've been using OS X Server (Panther) and have been loving it, but now that we're moving into a xserve platform, it's really to going show off just how amazing these products really are.

geof

ccburns · Jan 10, 2005, 13:29

About 6 months ago I was looking for a company that offered dedicated servers with OS X Server as the OS rather than linux (wouldn't want to take the risk on my skills ;)) or windows (didn't want the expense). Of the companies I found I couldn't find a single reasonable solution.

With such a good platform for web hosting is there any reason not more hosting companies are offering dedicated servers using OS X Server?

Jan 10, 2005, 14:44

Just a note, I have RAID level 1 set up on my XServe to mirror the system disk onto the second 80Gb drive. Bit fiddly to setup but works fine now.

gnarly · Jan 10, 2005, 16:18

ccburns - I think its largely because its still such a new platform, and as such is fairly unproven when compared to x86/LAMP systems. Give it time to gain mindshare and the marketshare will come with it :o)

drakke · Jan 11, 2005, 18:06

I have heard that one reason to move from a Linux to an XServe platform is the tool/administration support.

Would someone with basic linux administration knowledge that may not be comfortable administering a Linux web server be more competent on a XServe?

Jan 11, 2005, 20:53

80Gb drives??? Come on, you can get a Maxline Plus 3/300Gb for around £180.

**bwarrene** · Jan 11, 2005, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by drakke

I have heard that one reason to move from a Linux to an XServe platform is the tool/administration support.

Would someone with basic linux administration knowledge that may not be comfortable administering a Linux web server be more competent on a XServe?

Having made the switch on some servers I say yes. While I was experienced administering Linux servers -- there are several steps that OS X Server simply eliminates for any skill level by way of server admin and user management tools built in. Not too mention tools such as Tomcat, Postfix, JBoss, PHP and MySQL are pre-installed and ready to leverage. This alone can save ample setup time.

It helps that you can load tool such as webmin and still get under the hood on the command line to do what you are used to on Linux. You will find the directory structure very similar other than the initial root for the web server.

pergesu · Jan 11, 2005, 23:54

The Xserve is so sweet for hosting. About a year ago, I developed a control panel for the Xserve for a hosting company. Man, it's just sooooo sweet.

There are two main reasons I know of why it's not in greater use in web hosting. The first, as someone pointed out, is that it's a new platform, so people are going to hold off a bit on it. The second, and I think greater, is that there are no commercial control panels for it, such as CPanel, Ensim, and Plesk. You either have to administer it manually, or develop a control panel in house, as I did a while back. Hopefully the companies start developing OS X versions of their CPs, and once they do, we'll probably see greater adoption of the Xserve as a hosting platform.

Jan 10, 2005, 09:51	#1
ArticleBot SitePoint Articles Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 0	Article Discussion This is an article discussion thread for discussing the SitePoint article, "The Apple Xserve - an Introduction"

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Jan 10, 2005, 09:51	#2
Geof Harries SitePoint Addict Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Whitehorse, Yukon Posts: 242	We are ordering a 2.3 ghz dual G5 xserve this week, but it depends on what shows up at Macworld in a few days. This article really shows why; it's a killer system that serves many needs. We've been using OS X Server (Panther) and have been loving it, but now that we're moving into a xserve platform, it's really to going show off just how amazing these products really are. geof

Jan 10, 2005, 13:29	#3
ccburns SitePoint Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brisbane, QLD Posts: 99	About 6 months ago I was looking for a company that offered dedicated servers with OS X Server as the OS rather than linux (wouldn't want to take the risk on my skills ;)) or windows (didn't want the expense). Of the companies I found I couldn't find a single reasonable solution. With such a good platform for web hosting is there any reason not more hosting companies are offering dedicated servers using OS X Server?

Jan 10, 2005, 14:44	#4
Ant SitePoint Community Guest Posts: n/a	Just a note, I have RAID level 1 set up on my XServe to mirror the system disk onto the second 80Gb drive. Bit fiddly to setup but works fine now.

Jan 10, 2005, 16:18	#5
gnarly Guru Meditation Error Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cheltenham, United Kingdom Posts: 694	ccburns - I think its largely because its still such a new platform, and as such is fairly unproven when compared to x86/LAMP systems. Give it time to gain mindshare and the marketshare will come with it :o)

Jan 11, 2005, 18:06	#6
drakke SitePoint Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: canada Posts: 240	I have heard that one reason to move from a Linux to an XServe platform is the tool/administration support. Would someone with basic linux administration knowledge that may not be comfortable administering a Linux web server be more competent on a XServe?

Jan 11, 2005, 20:53	#7
gunzip SitePoint Community Guest Posts: n/a	80Gb drives??? Come on, you can get a Maxline Plus 3/300Gb for around £180.

Jan 11, 2005, 23:54	#9
pergesu SitePoint Addict Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Grand Junction, CO Posts: 301	The Xserve is so sweet for hosting. About a year ago, I developed a control panel for the Xserve for a hosting company. Man, it's just sooooo sweet. There are two main reasons I know of why it's not in greater use in web hosting. The first, as someone pointed out, is that it's a new platform, so people are going to hold off a bit on it. The second, and I think greater, is that there are no commercial control panels for it, such as CPanel, Ensim, and Plesk. You either have to administer it manually, or develop a control panel in house, as I did a while back. Hopefully the companies start developing OS X versions of their CPs, and once they do, we'll probably see greater adoption of the Xserve as a hosting platform.