I'm looking to get another Mac pretty soon as my photography business is growing quite nicely now but I want to ensure that I can operate the business from a laptop (for email, portability, slideshows, taking to shoots, processing on the move, sharing music files - iTunes - around the house, etc.) as well as a 'desktop' (for power & speed of image processing, editing simple video, etc.).

If this works out, I will also get an older MacBook for the family to use.

I want to have email (mail server?) and data files (file server?) automatically stored on a 'server' accessible from any computer (wirelessly in the case of laptops). Also music and other media files stores in iTunes (media server?).

The photographs and other files only needed whilst in the office will be stored separately on a RAID system that will be directly connected to the 'desktop'. Speed of transfer between storage media and computer is important in this area hence the direct connection.

I'm confused over the products available from Apple to fit with these wishes - is the Mac Mini Server capable of all this (and more)?

Is there a better solution without spending a fortune?

I currently have about 2-3 TB of photo files on a WHS device as well as music files and folders for individual family members files.

I estimate that I'll need:

• 3-4 TB external for the main desktop (internal storage is not really relevant to me as I need an easy to manage RAID array for security in the event of a drive failure);
  
• An additional 1-2Gb for music and family data files;
  
• I have no idea how much to allow for a mail server!
  

Can anyone advise based upon their experiences of Apple networks.

I have a basic understanding of windows based networks, but not to a technical level, so I will be able to make some sense of in depth responses.

Thanks to anyone with the time and knowledge to help me out - I'm sure I've missed loads that I should have siad, so fire away with questions to clarify matters (and my needs).

I have a Mac Mini (2009) running as a home server. Mostly it just streams Media from my NAS to all the computers in the house via Plex and plays it directly through the TV. If you stuck OSX Server on it you could also use it as a mail server (and calendar/contacts server which may be helpful) and set up a VPN to connect to it externally. Mine is set up to share the printer to the other Macs and my iPhone/iPad too as I don't have a network printer.

Not a terribly technical answer, I know. But my set up with a Mac Mini and Netgear ReadyNAS Duo would do everything you're asking so I wouldn't worry about the Mac Mini's capabilities, plus you feel better about leaving it on 24/7 as it's got a rather small energy footprint.

That's a useful answer. Thank you.

Am I right in thinking that the Mac Mini Server stores all the email on the actual server and the clients 'read' it from there? So any user connecting via any computer connecting to the mail server would be able to see their own emails?

Hadn't thought about sharing a printer - but that's a useful addition! Can that be used at the same time as external USB storage drives?

Am I right in thinking that the Mac Server does not have any form of wireless built in so it cannot act as a router to the internet?

I guess a Air Port or Air Port Extreme would fill the hole there but does that need a modem to actually connect to the internet? Can anyone recommend a suitable modem, without wireless, to connect the server & network to broadband internet?

Or should I forget about the Air Port and get a decent router with built in modem and plug the server in to that?

There are many ways to build a network solution and the Mac Mini Server is a good place to start. However, as well as the server you should look at getting a decent router or network switch that will allow fast transfer of data between devices on the network. The switch/router could also allow VPN (virtual private network) connection from remote devices giving you full access to everything on your network even when you are off site.

I am assuming you already have a company providing you with web hosting and email, if you are happy with this service there is not really any reason to bring these in house and run them from your server as it just means more work for you in administering the services.

The Mac Mini has wifi and bluetooth connectivity built in and both of these connections can be used to share an internet connection with the rest of the network but this is a job best left to a dedicated switch.

Without spending time going through all the things you want to achieve and pointing you at what is achievable it is difficult to narrow things down.

I have been installing and supporting Apple/Windows networks for over 20 years and there is no single solution to suit all requirements and budgets. PM me if you would like to have a more technical discussion.

Edited 13 November, 201213 yr by hertsnminds

Just on the email server side, I did use to run this myself. But as already said, you're bringing the admin of that in-house and you also have the issue of DNS and email white/blacklists to contend with.

I now use Google Apps now, as the back end for email on quite a few domains. I like it and it works very well - flexible and scalable. Use it on web browser, or plug in IMAP settings to an email client etc.

Just a thought.

I'll look into Google as an option.

My remote webhost will store the email alongside my website, but won't a local (home based) mail server just download the mail in the same way that a local client (a laptop for example) would?

This leaves the original files on the remote server and copies on the local mail server. This should also leave the tricky stuff associated with mail servers up to the host.

Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

My remote webhost will store the email alongside my website, but won't a local (home based) mail server just download the mail in the same way that a local client (a laptop for example) would?

You need to look at the client and server providing either an IMAP or POP type service and the options within that. In broad terms an IMAP service will keep things on the server and let any device know when a message has been read and replied to. A POP service will download the message from the server to the local client and could replicate the message across devices, it will also not let the server know if you have responded to a message.

IMAP is better for multiple device users with a single account but requires a connection to the server to keep updated. POP can let you do more when there is no connection to the server but can get messy with multiple devices for a single account.

So I think I need an IMAP service then.

But won't the server at home (Mac Mini Server) download and store the emails on that this meaning my actual computers access email from there no the remote webhost?

So I need IMAP at home, but not necessarily between home server & remote host?

Get a web host that has an IMAP server, it's much easier than running one yourself. Then all your devices will sync directly to that and your server won't need to handle email at all.

One less thing to go wrong.

I'd echo that, hence why I now use Gmail's IMAP server for my domain mail.

But won't the server at home (Mac Mini Server) download and store the emails on that this meaning my actual computers access email from there no the remote webhost?

If you choose to run the email service yourself then you have total control. You point your MX (mail server) record to your Mac Mini all the internet then does is pass everything to you, so you get more traffic, spam bots etc to your home internet connection.

The downsides of this (as mentioned by other posters) are that you have to manage all the messages coming into the server. So you have to keep anti virus and spam filters up to date as well as deciding policies for messages which are incorrectly addressed. You also have to manage the disk space for stored messages. It is all very well keeping everything on the server but this can take up lots of space.

Edited 15 November, 201213 yr by hertsnminds

UPDATE: I bought a 2011 Mac Mini and put in two 1TB drives in a RAID 1 (mirrored) configuration. Then updated to Snow Leopard & OS X Server.

It's now running as a file server & iTunes server (using Home Share). These took ages for me to set up as I know little about Mac networking and I have to say I'm disappointed with Apple's claims that a non-technical person can manage their server!

I have one MacBook (new iMac on order - delivery in 3-12 days) which is bound to the server so any family member can log on with their own account.

Half my CD collection has been re-ripped to a higher quality format (mixture of AAC & lossless) - that's taken a week.

Next steps: email (IMAP), ensue users can log on from any computer, get old Windows laptop fresh instal & connected to network, then do the same with MacBook.

Will be asking a few of you kind people questions shortly, so be prepared for numpty alerts.

Apple say it's easy? Pah!

I'm an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator and it confuses the hell out of me

Find windows so much easier for server side stuff

I even find iTunes really un user friendly for storing music. I just use it to rip discs now to add to my lossless collection and let sonos sort it out!

Apple say it's easy? Pah!

As I'm more a 'consumer' as opposed to a 'technician' I've always been impressed by how easy it is to set up Apple products.

New Mac: answer a few questions and off you go;

New iPhone: plug it in and music, email, etc appears;

Mac Server: two weeks later & I've still not achieved anything more than the basics...

First question:

At the moment the server has a .local name and (hopefully) is not visible from the outside world. Each family member has their own account / log on 'pushed' from the server to computer. I want each user to be able to access their files from computers outside of the network, but I'm not going to be hosting websites on the server.

There seem to be two options, obtain a static IP address and access via this address in a web browser;

Or, (IIRC) vnc from a remote computer which, I presume, still needs a static IP address.

What are the pro's & con's of each option?;

I presume I need to open ports on my router (an Orange Bright Box), but which ones for either of the above?

Any advice on how to set up this function?

Thanks.

Dropbox!

Its not worth the hassle.

Dropbox!

That would involve knowing in advance that certain files will be needed. Not possible for me to keep all my files accessible in DropBox storage.

It's not worth the hassle!

Sorry. That's like telling someone OPS isn't a viable retro-fit... Or, you don't need 312mm brakes...

At the moment the server has a .local name and (hopefully) is not visible from the outside world. Each family member has their own account / log on 'pushed' from the server to computer. I want each user to be able to access their files from computers outside of the network, but I'm not going to be hosting websites on the server.

There seem to be two options, obtain a static IP address and access via this address in a web browser;

Or, (IIRC) vnc from a remote computer which, I presume, still needs a static IP address.

If you have a dynamic but still real IP address (that is, you are not behind some sort of network address translation) you have a third option: use a dynamic DNS service for your server.

Thanks. I'll look into that.

What are the benefits of that option over the others though?

I use remote desk top, I have a mac book and an imac, from either mac I can open the other and operate remotely, print from anywhere in the world and so on, all very simple, even if the imac is asleep it can be accessed from the mac book.

This might work for you.

What are the benefits of that option over the others though?

You don't have to pay for the IP address, you don't even need to get in touch with your ISP. Most DDNS providers also allow for a couple of addresses for free. And most home routers support DDNS so it should be easy to setup.

I only suggested dropbox because i have administered quite a few osx servers for small/medium business's in the past and its just a PITA!

You could setup VPN, then you can connect to the server over VPN and access the files using finder/explorer. It can be quite slow as you are limited by connection speed and the encryption will slow things down as well.

I also use drop box and it is really good, links into documents, on the laptop and desk top and mobile phone, you can also send large files to people from the public folder via a link, all very easy as I am no techie I am lost with all your abbreviations above.

What are the benefits of that option over the others though?

Everything on a network be it internal or the internet needs an address so other things know where to send information. Computers usually use an IP address like 123.45.67.89 whereas people like to use URL type names like myhomenetwork.com

Your internet service provider will allocate an IP address to you so that traffic can flow to/from your house. If the address is dynamic it can change at the whim of the service provider and therefore anything that used to know how to connect to you will now not be able to.

With a fixed IP address you are effectively locking down how other network devices can find your home network. myhomenetwork.com always points to the same IP address.

Using a dynamic DNS service you give the service a name to map (link) your changing address to. e.g. URL, myhomenetwork.com links to IP address 254.123.5.10 if the IP is changed by your service provider myhomenetwork.com still points to your new IP address.

Everything has been running fine - until today!

New iMac added yesterday which was logging on to the network OK, but for one account.

No idea what was going on. Now none of the accounts log on!

One gets logged off immediately and the log in screen rolls around / rotates, two aren't available to log in, one will log in but runs very slowly (beachball)...

Tried on the old computer and exactly the same for all network accounts.

I think I tried upgrading the laptop with iLife 11 at about the same time the accounts started failing ( apart from one which had trouble since this morning).

No idea what is going on, but the kids won't be happy tomorrow when they can't use the computers...

Any one any ideas?

I think something to do with permissions possibly to home folders on the server. But why?

This is beyond a joke now!

I have spent two days trying to sort this out and got the server (and me) in to a right state.

Does anyone know anyone in the Herefordshire area that I could pay to come and sort this out for me?