Q: Can the server software be downloaded independently for SL server, as it can for 10.9?

Hi

"Can the server software be downloaded independently . . .?"

No it can't.

". . . install over your existing system?"

You can but it's better if it was a format and install. Be aware that Snow Leopard Server is a fully fledged server OS unlike Apple's latest offerings which are simply Apps and not the OS itself.

It was still available on the Apple Store up until a few months ago but it seems only the client OS is available now:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

Apart from the usual places such as Amazon, eBay etc I can't think of anywhere else 'official' you could buy it from? You could try phoning Apple? Who knows they may knock one out for you for a small fee?

A final word of advice, don't get the 10-client edition assuming you see one? Go for the unlimited client edition instead. Better off in the long run.

HTH?

Tony

If your box supports it, upgrade to Mavericks.   As you are aware, that involves purchasing and downloading OS X Server from the Mac App Store.

Snow Leopard Server is a separate DVD distribution, and it's getting tougher to deal with 10.6 in general — the newer AirPort can't be managed that far back, for instance.  Other software is already dropping 10.6, too.  You won't be able to remotely manage the 10.6 server from Mavericks, other than via command line or screen sharing.

As for your question, you can upgrade from Snow Leopard client to Snow Leopard Server given the DVD (possibly still available from Apple, if you call), though there are some wrinkles in how that is done depending on whether your Mac needs a newer version of Snow Leopard than the available Snow Leopard Server DVD might contain; there weren't as many releases of Snow Leopard Server as there were of Snow Leopard client.  If the OS X Server version is older than the OS X version your Mac requires, you'll have to boot 10.6 client, load the DVD, and install that way; you won't be able to boot the DVD directly.

Here's the Apple web page for older versions, but you may (will?) have to call and see if Snow Leopard Server is still available.

And FWIW and though I'm aware of OS X Server 10.6 boxes at various sites at various sites, I'd still encourage using 10.9 for new installations and not 10.6.

Hi Grant

It means key components for some important services are installed in /var, /etc and elsewhere which are not part of the client OS. For example NetBoot, SUS, MYSQL etc as well as some of the Mail Service's MTAs. These components are retained if you decide at some future stage to 'uninstall' the server software in an attempt to revert back to the client OS when you've decided you've had enough of server.

What happens afterwards is a bucking bronco of a client OS that invariably only a reinstall (and usually a reformat) will 'cure'. This is in contrast to what is available now. To revert back to the standard client OS all you have to do is remove a folder in /Library, the Server App and restart.

". . . I don't really want to lose a bunch of programs and configurations . . ."

It's your server and you do what you like but just like any server in any platform I would not recommend using it as you would a standard client OS.

HTH?

Tony