macOS Server for macOS Catalina

VPN Server was removed from Server.app back in version 5.7.1 and so was not available in Mojave. See - Changes introduced in macOS Server 5.7.1 - Apple Support

It was possible to either utilise it via the command line or use this tool https://cutedgesystems.com/software/VPNEnablerForMojave/ to enable it.

However for Catalina there is no version of VPNEnabler and I would not be surprised if Apple have completely removed the VPN server code. You could try the Mojave version which is the newest available but I would not hold out much hope.

You should either investigate the alternatives listed in the Apple article above or keep an older version of macOS to run an older version of Server.app.

Server.app 5.8 was released for use with Mojave. Based on past experience it will not work with Catalina and you will need a newer version of Server.app which will only work with Catalina. This would normally be released at the same time Catalina is released.

In terms of 'all apple device' I am not sure what you mean. Server.app will run on all Macs that can run the matching version of macOS so if/when the new Catalina compatible version of Server.app is released it will run on all Macs that can run Catalina.

In terms of which Macs can then connect to that Server this is becoming less relevant since there are so few functions still left in Server.app. Similarly for iOS devices.

Just upgraded to Catalina and it gave a notice that even more functionality would be deprecated, However, it won't launch and no update shows in the App Store. So I would think it is EOL. I didn't; use it much as it was legacy when I was doing other things. Just FYI. But if there is some other option I am missing please pass it along.

Egads, what a debacle. Why oh why Apple would you release a Catalina Installer - that detects Server is running - without having Server waiting in the App store?

"Soon to be released" in hours, days, weeks, or months?

I run my macMini server headless. I decided to upgrade it to Catalina. (Currently in Progress) On my MacBook Pro, which I already upgraded to Catalina, I am able to find the macOS Server 5.9. (I can see it because I'm accessing the App Store from a computer running Catalina.)

I have been accessing the Server using Apple Remote Desktop. I'm hopeful this will be possible once the Catalina installation is far enough completed to start up ARD. Then I should be able to access the App Store to download Server 5.9.

Has anyone done this successfully? Or will I need to hook up a monitor and keyboard to the macMini to do this?

Mark Dannau wrote:

John, does that mean ARD won't work either with Catalina? Isn't that based on a VPN server too?

No ARD is based on VNC.

'Back to my Mac' did involve some aspects which involved VPN like technology but Back to My Mac has also been discontinued.

I'm using ARD with Catalina on both my MacBook Pro and my Mac mini Server. It works fine except when I am connected to the Server from the MacBook Pro and don't actively view the Server. The window drops all video and changes to all black, and I need to close the connection and reinitiate it in ARD. This is a minor annoyance.

I have used the Server app for a number of years, and I did install it after I did the Catalina installation. However, with most everything having been stripped from Server (and moved into MacOS proper, I think), I'm suspecting I can uninstall it and not use it at all any more.

The client side of ARD is built-in to the Mac operating system. The administration tool is the bit you buy - these days via the Mac App Store.

I do know that relatively recently an update for ARD Admin was issued. The version I am currently running after that update is 3.9.3 (1A50) although this is still in Mojave.

All the deprecated Server.app services are now available in MacPorts:

sudo port install macos-vpn-server

sudo port install mail-server

sudo port install dns-server

And so forth:

port search '*-server'

Just upgraded and it bricked the server no update as of yet hope it gets fixed

Same here, I am asking too. When will be the update of server?

There is a 5.9 in Beta but I thought it would release with Catalina

Just upgraded and it bricked the server no update as of yet. When will be the update of server?

No it broke with Catalina update MacOS Server 5.9 is in Beta but was not released with Catalina. One can only hope that it will be released soon

MacOS Server 5.9 was released today and it installed very nicely fixing the issue!!!!!!