Install and Configure Snow Leopard Without Static IP Address

The following instructions are for installing Snow Leopard Server and configuring DNS service without a static IP available. They may be used to set up Snow Leopard Server for small businesses or home networks which obtain Internet service from ISPs via cable modem, DSL, etc.

The instructions were drawn from recent experience of installing Snow Leopard Server on a Mac Mini on our network, which receives Internet service from Starhub in Singapore. A big thank you to Todd and Don from Apple ProApps support, who helped with the setup.

The instructions assume a router which is an Airport/Airport Express/Time Capsule.

_Step 1: Install Snow Leopard Server_

Recommendations: Boot up from Snow Leopard Server DVD (hold option key when starting up machine). Initialise hard disk (use Disk Utility) and install Snow Leopard Server fresh.

Welcome: Select Country or Region
Keyboard: Select Keyboard Layout
Serial Number: Enter Serial Number
Transfer an Existing Server?: Select "Set up a new server"
Registration and A Few More Questions: Enter Registration Information (2 screens)
Time Zone: Select Time Zone and Network Time Server

_Administrator Account_
Enter information to set up an Admin account locally on the server. Recommendation: use a name - or at least a short name - that is different from any accounts set up on client machines.

_Network screen - Important Step!_
Configure IPv4: enter Static IP (use 192.168.1.192) or make sure DHCP reservations are set up on Airport to always dish out 192.168.1.192 to server

IP Address: 192.168.1.192
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Router: 192.168.1.1
DNS Server: 192.168.1.192, 192.168.1.1
Search domains and DHCP Client ID may be left blank.

Important: DNS server field will be "pre-filled" with gray IP addresses. Make sure these are overwritten with DNS Server information as set out above. Do not leave the field blank.

Airport Management: Allow Mac OS X Server to configure Airport - tick "Enable AirPort automanagement for "Airport name"" and enter Airport admin password

_Network Names screen - Important Step!_

This screen may take some time to come up - be patient

Screen will say at bottom "No DNS name was found for this computer. This server will provide its own limited name resolution so that services operate properly"

Enter the following in the fields:

Primary DNS Name: servername.companyname.private
Computer Name: servername

Note: "private" can be anything e.g., "llp" or "company"; servername is the name you want to give to your server. So the Primary DNS Name could be for example "plato.jacksonsgroceries.limited" with the Computer Name being "plato"

Users and Groups: select "Create Users and Groups"

Services: tick whatever services you want your server to provide

Client Backup: tick if you want client computers to make Time Machine backups to disks connected to the server

Mail Options: set up mail server

Review: Click Details… to save configuration information

Click "Set Up" to complete - this may take some time.

Server will boot up to Server Preferences. Close this. It may also ask if you want to use any connected disks as Time Machine backups.

Install any updates using Software Update.

_Step 2: Configure DNS Service on Snow Leopard Server_

Make sure Server Preferences is closed and launch Server Admin. It should log you into the local server automatically. If not, add the server, if necessary using 192.168.1.192 and login.

Click on DNS on the left hand panel. If DNS is running (green dot), click "Stop DNS" at bottom of screen.

Click Zones at top of right hand panel. Read the warning and dismiss it.

Note the Type column. There should be a "Primary Zone" entry and a "Reverse Zone" entry.The "Primary Zone" entry should have the name of your "Primary DNS Name" set up above, with a trailing full stop (i.e., servername.companyname.private.). Select it and click on the disclosure triangle on the left. A record of type "Machine" should appear.

Click and select the Primary Zone entry. Make sure the settings are as follow (do not click Save until the last step below):

Primary Zone Name: companyname.private.
Admin Email: [your email address]

In the Nameservers area below:
Zone: companyname.private.
Nameserver Hostname: servername.companyname.private.

Important: Note the trailing full stops - they must be included

Mail Exchangers: ignore this

Go back to top of screen and select the Machine record you expanded earlier. Make sure the area below shows the following:

Machine Name: servername.companyname.private.
IP Addresses: 192.168.1.192

Click "Save" to save the DNS settings. Click "Start DNS" to start DNS service.

_Step 3: Check DNS Settings are Correct_

Check that everything is set up correctly by using the Terminal:

hostname

the answer should read:

servername.companyname.private

If you want to double check your DNS run the following command:

sudo changeip -checkhostname

You will be prompted for a password. Enter your admin password (no characters will appear as you typed it due to masking).

the answer you will receive should be this:

Primary address = 192.168.1.192

Current HostName = servername.companyname.private
DNS HostName = servername.companyname.private

The names match. There is nothing to change.
dirserv:success = "success"

_Step 4: Configure Mac OS X Clients_

For the client systems go into System Preferences > Network

For Ethernet select the Ethernet port and switch DNS servers to the ones above, i.e., 192.168.1.192, 192.168.1.1

For Airport select Airport, then select advanced on the lower right, then select DNS tab and enter them there.