OS X Server - Setting Up Laptops properly to synchronize when connecting back to the network, OS X Server - Setting Up Laptops properly to synchronize when connecting back to the network
I have a Mac Mini server (twin 500 gb HD) which I have had for about 2 years. Mainly I have just played around with it, but never set up the server functionality to it's full extent. I just clean installed OSx Mountan Lion (10.8) on the machine. The two HD's are separate and not in a RAID configuration.
With the release of 10.8 OSx, the server functions are now in an App you have to purchase and download. No issue for me, but I would like some assistance and guidance from the community on how to properly set up the server for my needs (or if staying with the basic OS is fine).
I have a couple of MacBooks, an iPad and two iPhones in the family, plus a remote Mac in another city. The OSx devices will be upgraded to 10.8 soon, the iOS's are up-to-date with the latest os. I also have a new Time Capsule running our network, but haven't started using it as a TM backup location (current backups are on local attached drives}
I plan to use the Mac Mini with dual HD's primarily as the location where our media resides, regardless of whether it becomes a server or stays in the base OSx. However, reading over some of the capabilities of the server ( 1 ), I'm hopefull I might be able to do more with the machine.
I'd like to be able to have a centralized user account managment via the Open Directory that the OSx Server provides. Would also like to be able to set the other "client" computers / devices to allow for synchronization back to the server when they reconnect to the network after being mobile. Also, it would be nice to set up the configuration of each of the users such that their preferences, iTunes media file locations, etc are consistent across all machines.
There may be some limitations to what I am attempting, that I am unaware of. However, if at minimum I could accomplish the account managment easily, that would be a win.
Assume I know little or nothing about domains and authentication -- not exactly true, but I don't want to assume anything with my limited knowledge. I don't mind reading detailed step-by-step manuals if they are available, but I would appreciate some guidance and wisdom to get me started.
Thanks for any help y'all can provide.
Kirk
(1) http://movies.apple.com/media/us/osx/2012/server/docs/OSXServer_Product_Overview .pdf
mac Mini Server, Mac OS X (10.6.5)