What You've Learned
- Typically when one thinks of setting up a server, one thinks of configuring a file, mail, or web server. However, Mac OS X Server can provide even more fundamental network services, such as DHCP and DNS. It can also be used to mirror Apple's software updates.
- DHCP allows client computers to be assigned IP addresses dynamically without requiring manual assignment of permanent, static IP addresses. DHCP subnets are created using Server Admin. Each subnet contains a starting and ending IP address defining the range of addresses that can be assigned. The subnet entry also contains the subnet mask and router address that is provided to client computers. The entry can be configured to provide additional information, such as LDAP configuration information.
- DNS provides the ability for domain names to be converted to IP addresses. DNS is turned on in the General pane of Server Admin. Mac OS X Server provides tools for configuring the DNS zone files.
- Mac OS X Server also provides Software Update service, which downloads updates from Apple's Software Update server and serves them to computers on the local network. This provides more efficient use of limited bandwidth and gives over administrator control when updates are made available to local clients.
- If your clients are having problems using your server to update their computers, check the Updates pane to make sure the updates are both mirrored and enabled. Also, make sure required previous updates are installed.
- If you are experiencing poor response from an update server, this may indicate a high load on the server itself. Try reducing the maximum user bandwidth in the General pane.
- If your server is not receiving updates from Apple, make sure that your firewall is allowing your server access through port 63000.
References
The following documents provide more information about installing Mac OS X Server. (All of these and more are available at www.apple.com/server/documentation.)
Administration Guides
Mac OS X Server Getting Started (http://images.apple.com/
server/pdfs/Getting_Started_v10.4.pdf)
Apple Remote Desktop Administrator's Guide (http://images.apple.com/
server/pdfs/Apple_Remote_Desktop_Admin_Guide.pdf)
Mac OS X Server Command-Line Administration (http://images.apple.com/
server/pdfs/Command_Line_v10.4.pdf)
Books
Albitz, Paul, and Liu, Cricket. DNS and BIND (O'Reilly, 2001).
Apple Knowledge Base Documents
You can check for new and updated Knowledge Base documents at www.apple.com/support.
Document 107684, “Mac OS X Server 10.3: Tested and theoretical maximums (limits)”
URLs
The International Software Consortium website: www.isc.org