Replacing macOS Server
QWe’ve been running our office from macOS Server, which serves files, and some less essential services such as our internal web server. What should we do when Apple discontinues this product? by Morris Buxton
AApple has warned that it intends replacing the current broad range of services in macOS Server with a version devoted to “management of computers, devices, and storage”. As you’re running Server already, you won’t suffer loss of features until later this year. Apple hasn’t been more specific, but as of a spring update many features will be ‘deprecated’ and hidden in new installations.
Apple’s announcement is at bit.ly/srvchanges, and lists a range of alternative server products (most are free and open source), which you can use as substitutes for each of the services that will eventually be removed.
One established web server management system to consider is Webmin (free, webmin.com). This is based on the Apache web server, and also covers Postfix Mail Server admin. If you install additional support for BIND DNS, Jabber messaging, or databases such as MySQL or PostgreSQL, it can configure and manage those too.
Apple recommends using High Sierra’s existing File Sharing service (in System Preferences’ Sharing pane), which should suffice for even quite large workgroups, particularly coupled with its new storage management. Standard shared update and back-up services should also cope with your demand, and are simple to configure.