Lion server on an iMac

Hi

". . . can I install Lion Server on my iMac (Lion OS)?"

Yes. You must install Lion OS before installing Lion Server anyway. As long as the hardware meets Lion/Lion Server's General Requirements you'll be OK:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/server/specs.html

". . . and still use my iMac for normal stuff like (photo-editing, surfing the web etc.)?"

Yes but why would you? If you're going to be running a Server let it do what it's supposed to do.

"Does the Lion Server run in the background?"

Yes. However if you don't configure or enable any services it won't run at all. In which case why install it?

You may find this article of interest?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4827

When you purchase and install the Server App and go through the Server Setup Assistant and if you don't enable any of the services presented in the Setup Assistant, at the very least DNS Services (for lack of any further information I've only going to assume NAT) will be configured and enabled. You won't have access to the Service unless you use the command line or download the additional Server Admin Tools:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1457

It can't be stressed enough how important a correctly configured and running DNS Service is to the stability of Lion Server regardless of the reason you think you may want it for. Even if all you want to do is use Garage Band, iTunes etc and your aim is to simply 'test' Lion Server, you may find your experience extremely frustrating. Don't confuse running a private DNS Server with what you're familiar with on the Internet.

HTH?

Tony

PieterJ wrote:

Hello Antonio,

Thanks for your support 🙂. Your answer makes my decision clear. I am gonna install Lion Server.

I suppose there is manual/instruction with it?

Do you know a good starting point to:

1) set-up a home network (e-mail, agenda, documents, etc.)

2) do the things above when I am not in my house

3) perhaps in time a FTP-server to connect to the outside world

Thanks in advance,

Pieter.

Apple do not provide a manual with it. So far the only documentation is in HTML format via http://www.apple.com/macosx/server/resources/documentation.html however it is awful, it is much worse even than the Snow Leopard Server documenation.

It maybe Apple think the setup process is now so easy there is no need.

Lion Server itself does not provide a way to configure an FTP server but there are some manual methods to do this. Apple consider FTP to be old, obsolete and insecure. While Apple are arguably right, some people still find it useful.

Hi

"I suppose there is manual/instruction with it?"

Not really. See John's reply.

Do you know a good starting point to:

1) set-up a home network (e-mail, agenda, documents, etc.

2) do the things above when I am not in my house

This is such as vast subject with so many variables - especially email - it would be extremely difficult to know where to start as the only person who would really know is you. You may find mileage in hiring a consultant to work closely with you to achieve what you want.

3) perhaps in time a FTP-server to connect to the outside world

Avoid FTP - for the reasons John said - and move over to WebDAV. WebDAV Sharing is available in Lion Server using the interface provided and Lion Client via the command line.

HTH?

Tony