[new newton]

I work for a small program within a large school district. I want to accomplish a few things for my students/staff. Here's what I'm looking to do:

• Create network storage for users on primarily Windows XP platforms
• Have that network storage be accessible outside of my network (WebDAV?)
• Serve out webpages, preferably based on content created by students in their network folders (a web-folder, perhaps)

I know these probably aren't monstrous requirements, and that OS X Server should be able to handle them. My main question is really how easy this would be to do, both from my perspective as the admin, and from the users' perspectives in using it. It's important that it not be too difficult to do for them. I can learn what I have to.

Also, hardware-wise I'm planning on sticking this on an 867 Quicksilver (on of the early ones with the L3 cache). It's got about 384mb of RAM, which I suspect I'll have to increase. What's reasonable for say, 20 concurrent users? I'm using it as a Firstclass server at the moment, but that requirement will be fading after the first of the year.

Thanks for any and all advice or suggestions about this. My district network admin is quoting me about $5 grand for a rather over-powered HP server, which I really don't have the budget or desire to have. I figure I can do this with OS X Server for perhaps $700 (Server, a new version of Retrospect, and some RAM).

[new newton]

Nobody?

[Detrius]

First of all, the unlimited client version of OS X Server is $1000. The ten client version is $500. So, with 20 clients, I don't see how you plan to do this for $700.

Next, you definitely will need a gigabit switch for that many clients.

Lastly, most of what you are requesting can be done with OS X client. With OS X Server, you would be able to set your machine up as a Windows Primary Domain Controller and host windows home directories, roaming profiles, etc... Each user can have their own little website. This is what the "Sites" directory is for in the user's home directory. Setting up WebDAV is relatively easy in OS X Server.

These are really minimal requirements for a Mac Server. I would recommend maxing out the RAM on the machine and look into a RAID solution for speed and redundancy (check out macgurus.com for a 3 or 5 port S-ATA card they are carrying). You should be able to set up this box as a nice server for less than $2000.

You could use retrospect, but you don't have to pay for backup software.



BTW, there aren't many people on this board that have a clue about OS X Server.

[new newton]

I work in education. $250 for 10 clients, $500 for unlimited.

What wouldn't I be able to do with a standard OS X install versus Server?

Also, I've read of problems with WebDAV and XP. Is this the case?

[spiky_dog]

yes, my experience is that webdav support sucks under windows. i found it to work acceptably but not consistently with XP, and horribly with 98 (the company i worked for had machines at either end of the spectrum with little in between).

os x server gives you gui interfaces for all the daemons. if you're asking about them you probably want the server and the gui.

[Detrius]

Originally posted by new newton:
What wouldn't I be able to do with a standard OS X install versus Server?

All three of your listed requirements can be done with OS X client. WebDAV is an Apache feature; you won't have a GUI for it in client, though. You could still remotely connect via ftp or SMB if you want. You won't be able to set up a PDC in client, which is not a big deal.

[new newton]

That's unappealing. I need to make this as simple to administrate as possible, as I won't always be there.