Moving server.app to a new machine

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Moving server.app to a new machine

There are a number of threads started by people wanting to download older versions of Server.app which seems as if it isn't possible. I'm wondering whether it's possible to move an existing installation in some way.

I have an old Mac mini running El Capitan and Server 5.2 but am having problems with it and am migrating it to a VM on a different Mac. Despite the OS being the same, if I log in using the same Apple ID and try to download Server.app I have to pay for it. It does not appear in the "Purchased" tab. On the original Mac it also does not appear in the "Purchased" tab but searching for it give the option to upgrade. Since (I assume) the upgrade won't download a full installer which I can transfer to the new machine, I'm wondering if it is possible to move the installed app.

The price to buy it again is not high but as I'm in the process of moving away from server and I've already had to pay twice because the last OS upgrade removed the previous version of Server, I'd prefer not to have to buy it again (even though I no longer use services which have been removed from the latest version).

I don't need to move the configuration, and want to avoid using existing backups if I can to keep the VM as "clean" as possible.

Mac mini, OS X 10.11

Posted on Oct 29, 2021 5:55 PM

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Answer 1

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gakushaburu Author

Level 1

146 points

Nov 3, 2021 9:31 PM in response to MrHoffman

It turns out the process of installing server on a new VM was much easier than I'd expected.

I'd assumed that without a copy of the original Server.app download, I wouldn't be able install Server.app on the new machine without purchasing again but that's not the case.

Just copying the Server.app folder from /Applications on the original machine to /Applications on the new VM was enough. It has everything needed for installation on first run just as any other app would. Configuring from scratch would be trivial if I didn't want to make changes, although I'd like to get rid of Open Directory so getting Profile Manager to run without it may be a challenge, but that will be for a different post.

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Answer 2

MrHoffman

Level 10

152,151 points

Oct 29, 2021 6:18 PM in response to gakushaburu

Server app prior to Mojave is wildly different from Server app on Mojave and later, as you’re probably aware.

Changes introduced in macOS Server 5.7.1 - Apple Support

The current Server app is an MDM package, and lacks most of what Server app offered in High Sierra and earlier.

Performing an image copy or a Time Machine migration should get Server copied across to the guest, and you might be able to upgrade to High Sierra from there.

Getting older versions of Server has sometimes been difficult.

Server app was usually a new purchase for each new macOS version.

Upgrade and migrate data on your macOS Server - Apple Support

I’d look to migrate off of macOS Server, either to open source and/or to another platform, or (depending on the features you’re using) to a NAS box or similar.

https://github.com/essandess/macOS-Open-Source-Server/blob/master/macOS%20Server%20Migration%20Notes.md

https://github.com/essandess/macOS-Open-Source-Server

https://nextcloud.com/

https://www.synology.com/en-us/dsm/packages

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Answer 3

gakushaburu Author

Level 1

146 points

Oct 30, 2021 9:00 PM in response to MrHoffman

Thanks for the reply.

I am already moving away from Server.app as I see little point using a product where I have to pay for an "upgrade" when functionality is being removed. The VM is a temporary measure until I decide what to do.

I've already moved to OpenLDAP and use a Synology NAS for DHCP, DNS, Calendar services and file sharing. Profile management is all I have left in Server.app and don't really use it enough to justify a subscription to a third party profile management service. If there were an alternative app which allowed profiles for macOS, iOS and iPadOS to be created on a macOS client and hosted on any server running https, I'd want to move to it. Making a macOS "server" available just for managing profiles is wasteful.

Although I'm starting to go off (my own) topic, I must say I'm not totally happy with the Synology solution. Despite their documentation saying macOS clients can securely bind using TLS or SSL connections to their LDAP package, it doesn't work, their support team confirmed it doesn't work, and that they have no plans to make it work.

I will not be upgrading the VM beyond El Capitan because I am hoping to get rid of it altogether as soon as practical. It will only be used for profile management. I'm trying as far as possible to avoid using an image of the current physical server and just transferring the necessary files if I can.

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Answer 4

MrHoffman

Level 10

152,151 points

Oct 31, 2021 9:52 AM in response to gakushaburu

Apple Configurator 2 works pretty well for creating a limited number of profiles.

Other options:

https://github.com/micromdm/micromdm

https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-business-manager/welcome/web

https://alternativeto.net/software/jamf-casper-suite/

etc

Samba can act as a directory service, as can Windows Server with Active Directory.

I’ve had mixed results moving Server.app around across boxes with the same macOS version, and wouldn’t generally recommend it, though did get it to work.

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Moving server.app to a new machine

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