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Server File Sharing unstable on mac and windows network on Mavericks and OSX Server 3.0

Since I've updated our mac mini server from Mountain Lion and OSX Server 2.X to Mavericks and OSX Server 3.0 we are having sharing issues with Windows (7 and 8) and OSX Mavericks users, not being able to access files on the mac mini server.


What I've notice is that OSX Serer 3.0 stop working and I have to restart the Mac Mini Server to make things start working again.


This was not happening with Mountain Lion and OSX Server 2.X.


On the Windows and OSX users what happen is the computers keep trying to connect to the server and are not being able to open or copy files. Again this is intermittent, and I suspect it might be a OSX Server bug.


Any one having the same problem or can give us and advice would be great help.


Thanks.


Andre Tenenbaum

Mac mini, OS X Server, with OSX Server 3.0

Posted on Oct 31, 2013 8:36 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Nov 3, 2013 12:01 PM

I have the exact same set up (Mac mini running OSX Server 3.0) and have been having lots of issues since upgrading. I have not been able to sort out if the issues are on the Server side or the client side, but after a couple of hours, both Windows 7 and OS X clients lose connection to the server. I have been unable to determine the cause. Rebooting the server does help, but obviously that is not a workable solution. Now that I think about the frequency of occurence, I'm wondering if it has something to do with TimeMachine backups running on the server? I may try turning that off on the server and see if that helps (although, again, that isn't a good solution).


I'll just say, I am regretting upgrading everything. I had been hoping Mavericks and its use of SMB2 would fix other issues I was having with Windows 7 machines accessing shared folders on the server, but instead, it has unleashed a slew of problems for both Windows and OS X clients. It is very frustrating since there does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to why connection to the server drops. Hoping there is a fix on the way. All in all, switching from a Netgear ReadyNAS to a MacMini server hasn't really yielded the improvements I had hoped it would.

290 replies

Jun 7, 2015 3:10 AM in response to Christoph Ewering1

Goodnight and goodbuy Apple and OSX Server.... I am sorry but I will never return to apple again for a server. Its a joke how bad it works compared to what you could go for instead.

I´am writing this post, not to criticise apple but to give all you guys out there a tip that could save you hours and days of struggling and give you time for your work instead of spending valuable time attempting to fix something thats broken and worthless.


We have a small office with mixed environment (Windows 7 Pro and OSX clients) and I have stuggled with the the Mavericks server a long time and then I upgraded to Yosemite, same problems upgrade after upgrade, and the only thing we do is filesharing! We use a mac mini connected to a thunderbolt pegasus drive (a fast and beautiful set up in theory). But it has not been working well. Problems with reading-rights, problem with writing-rights, problems with files not showing up on other computers. The only thing I regret now is that I didn't do what I did a couple of weeks earlier. Don't struggle anymore, don't sit in the boat and wait for next update, abandon the ship! The solution was a Synology drive with Linux. These are totally amazing things! It kind of reminded me of Apple for a long time ago when everything was plug and play and just worked. A simple and fast interface that a beginner can manage, a knowledge base far beyond what Apple ever managed to do, functions you could dream for in a Apple server, everything perfect in the smallest detail and it works, works and works. For less than half the money and a just couple of hours of set up time, this thing has been running perfect, faster and error free. No error codes, none!! not a single one!! A stunning Webbased interface with everything you need in a small office, and more... I am stunned actually.


I will still use Apple for client machines but never ever again for a server...

Jan 12, 2016 9:12 PM in response to Charlie Nancarrow

I upgraded to Yosemite first and was a little better. Now run in El Capitan and have to say I am quite happy with Server and the OS. Also have Windows clients running on Windows 10 (In my opinion the best Windows version ever). Just be sure you back up. Do your OS upgrade then your server upgrade. Hope it works for you As it did for me.

Server File Sharing unstable on mac and windows network on Mavericks and OSX Server 3.0

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