macOS Server 5.2 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Article ID = 161
Article Title = macOS Server 5.2 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 20th September 2016
Article Last Updated = 10th October 2018
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?161

Article Brief Description:
Frequently Asked Questions about macOS Server 5.2

macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1 Frequently Asked Questions

WARNING: As of September 2018 Apple has gutted macOS Server and removed most/all of the useful Server features!

Q. When will macOS Server 5.2 be available?

A. macOS Server 5.2 was released on the 20th September 2016 - it was replaced with macOS Server 5.4 on the 25th September 2017. However, you can still purchase/download it from the Mac App Store.

Q. How much does macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1 cost?

A. £19.99.

Q. Apple's Server software used to cost £100s. Why is it so cheap?

A. macOS Server is not the same beast that older versions of Apple's Server software used to be but it is still very powerful and now amazing value for money. The following services are included with macOS Server:

Caching (Software Update)
Calendar
Contacts
DHCP
DNS
File Sharing
FTP
Mail
Messages
NetInstall
Open Directory
Profile Manager
Time Machine
VPN
Websites (Apache)
Wiki
Xcode
Xsan

You should note that the following services that may have been in older versions of Apple's server software products are not included in macOS Server:

WebMail
MailMan (can be built and installed manually)
Auto Vacation Replies
Podcast Producer
Podcast Publisher
Server Status Dashboard widget
Management of Non-macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1 Servers
Firewall (replaced with service in macOS client)
NAT (replaced with service in macOS client)
MySQL (replaced with PostgreSQL)
Mobile Access
Print
Tomcat
Axis
QuickTime Streaming Server (QTSS)

Q. How can I buy/obtain macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1?

A. See our article on how to purchase/download it from the Mac App Store.

Q. What Macs can I install macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1 on?

A. macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1 requires a Mac that can run macOS 10.12 Sierra.

Q. How can I check what specifications my computer has?

Q. Which Mac do I have?

A. You can check "Processor", "Memory" and macOS/OS X/Mac OS X "Version" by going to Apple menu > About This Mac > Overview tab if necessary (hint - clicking on the version number will give you the "build" number).
A. To check your Mac's "Model Name" go to Apple menu > About This Mac > Overview tab if necessary > check for the computer name in the top line e.g. "MacBook Pro" (this can only be checked with OS X 10.7 or later)
A. To check your Mac's model date version go to Apple menu > About This Mac > Overview tab if necessary > check the details after the Model Name e.g. "Early 2015" (this can only be checked with OS X 10.7 or later) - to be more specific and exact you can check what "Model Identifier" your Mac has by:

If you are running Mac OS X 10.6 or earlier go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Profiler application will open) select "Hardware" in the top left > check what it says for 'Model Identifier' on the right.
If you are running OS X 10.7 or OS X 10.8 go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Information application will open) select "Hardware" in the top left > check what it says for 'Model Identifier' on the right under 'Hardware Overview'.
If you are running OS X 10.9 or later go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "Overview" tab in the top left > click the "System Report…" button > (the System Information application will open) select "Hardware" in the top left > check what it says for 'Model Identifier' on the right under 'Hardware Overview'.

A. To check what graphics capability your Mac has:

If you are running Mac OS X 10.6 or earlier go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Profiler application will open) select "Graphics/Displays" under 'Hardware' in the top left (click the triangle down if necessary) > click on the 'Video Card' on the right to see the technical information below.
If you are running OS X 10.7 or OS X 10.8 go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Information application will open) select "Graphics/Displays" under 'Hardware' in the top left (click the triangle down if necessary) > click on the 'Video Card' on the right to see the technical information below.
If you are running OS X 10.9 or later go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "Overview" tab in the top left > click the "System Report…" button > (the System Information application will open) select "Graphics/Displays" under 'Hardware' in the top left (click the triangle down if necessary) > click on the 'Video Card' on the right to see the technical information below. With OS X 10.11 or later here you will also find whether your GPU supports "Metal".

A. To check your Mac's "Model Number" it is usually printed/engraved on the outside of the computer somewhere (it usually begins with the letter A or M).

Q. I have a powerful Mac Pro / Xserve or a Mac with an early "Core 2 Duo" which is a good Intel processor. Why can't I run macOS Server 5?

A. macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1 requires a Mac that can run macOS 10.12 Sierra.

Q. My Mac has the correct type of processor but I don't have enough RAM. What can I do?

A. All the supported Macs can run at least 2GB of RAM so all you need to do is upgrade your RAM to at least 2GB. In the UK we recommend Kingston Technology lifetime warranty memory for your Mac. Most Macs usually only have two memory slots so it is best to upgrade to as much RAM as you can afford the first time. If your Mac supports 8GB or more then upgrade to the maximum.

Q. If there is no physical macOS or Server discs and I install macOS + macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1 but run into trouble what can I do?

A. You have several options:

When macOS Sierra + macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1 is installed it creates a special bootable emergency "recovery" area on your hard disk. You can Use the macOS "Recovery HD" to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall macOS + macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1 (internet connection required).
If you have created an emergency external USB recovery drive using Apple's Recovery Disk Assistant you can use it to boot your computer from and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall macOS + macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1 (internet connection required).
If you have a Time Machine backup disk it may have an macOS "Recovery HD" partition on it which you can use to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall macOS + macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1 (internet connection required).
If you have obtained the macOS Disc Image you can use it to create an Install DVD then boot your computer from it and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall macOS + macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1
If you have created an External Installation Device you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall macOS + macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1
If you have created an Emergency Boot Drive for macOS you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk.

Q. What should I do to prepare for macOS Server 5.2-5.3.1?

A. See this article.

Article Keywords: macOS 1012 Sierra OS X Server 5.2 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ OSXserver52

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