OS X Server 5.4
OS X Server 5.4: What's New and How to Upgrade
OS X Server is a server operating system developed by Apple that runs on Mac computers. It provides various services and tools for managing macOS-based computers and iOS-based devices, as well as network services such as web, mail, calendar, and file sharing. OS X Server 5.4 is the latest version of OS X Server, released in September 2017, along with macOS High Sierra. In this article, we will explore some of the new features and changes in OS X Server 5.4, and how to upgrade from previous versions.
New Features and Changes in OS X Server 5.4
OS X Server 5.4 introduces some major changes in the way server services are delivered and configured. Some of the most notable changes are:
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Services migrated from OS X Server to macOS High Sierra: Some of the most popular server features, such as File Sharing, Caching, and Time Machine, are now bundled with every installation of macOS High Sierra, and can be enabled and configured from System Preferences > Sharing. These services are no longer available in the Server app, and existing configurations will be automatically migrated to macOS High Sierra during the upgrade process.
Services removed from OS X Server: Some of the server services that were previously available in OS X Server have been removed in OS X Server 5.4, such as FTP, WebDAV, DHCP, DNS, VPN, Firewall, Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Wiki, Websites, Messages, Radius, and NetBoot/NetInstall. Apple provides a list of alternative solutions for these services on its support website.
Services still available in OS X Server: The only services that are still available and fully supported in OS X Server 5.4 are Profile Manager and Open Directory. Profile Manager allows you to manage devices and users using configuration profiles, while Open Directory allows you to create and manage network accounts for users and groups.
Xsan management tools: OS X Server 5.4 also includes command-line tools for managing Xsan volumes and storage pools. Xsan is a high-performance storage area network (SAN) solution that allows multiple Mac computers to share storage devices over a Fibre Channel network.
How to Upgrade to OS X Server 5.4
If you are running an older version of OS X Server on a Mac computer that supports macOS High Sierra, you can upgrade to OS X Server 5.4 by following these steps:
Back up your server data and settings using Time Machine or another backup method.
Download and install macOS High Sierra from the Mac App Store.
Download and install OS X Server 5.4 from the Mac App Store.
Launch the Server app and follow the instructions to complete the upgrade process.
Note that some of your server settings may be changed or migrated during the upgrade process. For example, if you had File Sharing enabled in OS X Server, it will be disabled in the Server app and enabled in System Preferences > Sharing. You may need to adjust your settings accordingly after the upgrade.
Conclusion
OS X Server 5.4 is a significant update that simplifies the server experience for Mac users by integrating some of the most popular server features into macOS High Sierra. However, it also removes some of the server services that were previously available in OS X Server, requiring users to find alternative solutions or migrate to other platforms. If you are planning to upgrade to OS X Server 5.4, make sure you back up your data and settings first, and check the compatibility and availability of your server services before and after the upgrade.