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Level 1

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How to use OS X Server (Mavericks) to synch Contacts and Calendar between a Mac and an iPhone/iPad

After the long discussion "How to locally sync an iPhone with OS X Mavericks? iCloud is NOT an option." (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5460803?answerId=24901872022#24901872022&ac_cid=tw123456#24901872) and some branched discussions, I'm starting this to help with the specific technical aspects of setting up OS X Server (Mavericks) to synch Contacts and Calendar.

I downloaded OS X Server last night and I'm still working on the setup. I've been using the notes at Security Spread (http://securityspread.com/2013/10/27/setting-sync-server/). The main problem I had was moving the Contacts from 'All on my Mac' to 'All OS X Server'.

TopSteve commented:

NOW looking at the instuctions or flowing I think it needs some clafication.

1) Open the Internet Accounts panel and on the Sync user account un-tick the Contacts.

2) If the Contacts app is open quit it

3) Open the server app and goto Accounts Users on the sidebar.

4) You should see the SyncUser to created and yourself yes?

6) For Contacts I added user SyncCon (for me contacts did not work using the same accout as Cal)

7) In the server I disabled "Contacts" in "Edit Access to Services" for every user only having it enabled on "SyncCon"

This is where I do things difent from the instuctions you flowo (sorry I did not put this elaler)

8) Open the Contacts App and in the menu top of the screen "Contacts" - "Preferences" (NOT) "Accounts"

9) Click on the TAB "Accounts" in "Preerences" and click "+" chose "Other" then "CardDAV" from the pull down. Now add the info for user and server as in the instuctions.

10) Highlight and drag all the accounts on "All on my Mac" then drag them to "All OS X Server"

After you do all this I find the most usfull menu on Contacts (if you have more than one card with the same info selected) is "Card" - "Marge and/or Link"

I hope this all helps

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Feb 21, 2014 5:09 AM

23 replies

TopSteve

Level 1

69 points

Feb 24, 2014 2:39 PM in response to Skakagrall

Skakagrall wrote:

Just to be clear about this, should we understand that Profile Manager is not needed for local (Mac on the table next to iPhone) synching of Contacts and Calendars?

It is NOT needed also if you configured it then you will also have "Open Directory" wich you don't need iver and I find just leads to long logs messages. Turn both of them off. unless you doing other things. (once Open Directory is turnd off you may need to re-make the users.

Skakagrall Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 26, 2014 11:28 PM in response to Skakagrall

Thanks to TopSteve (who has been checking my screenshots, while developing his own notes on his website <http://www.tompkins-macqueen.com/Site/TechnoBlog/Entries/2014/2/22_Update_to_fir st_steps.html> etc.) I've made some progress.

After changing System preferences/Network/Advanced/TCP IP to Configure IPv4 'manually' I was able to synch Contacts between my Mac and my iPhone. Oddly two versions of my Contacts were synched — 'All mycomputer.local' and 'All from my Mac' — which show up as 'groups' on my iPhone. By switching one of these off, you can get one viable list of Contacts.

On the other hand my Calendars did not sync.

Last night, the Mavericks 10.9.2 update became available and I decided to install it. While my Contacts/Contacts accont remain (so far) intact, the update completely removed my Calendar account and all my Calendar data disappeared.

More later.

[Obviously I'd strongly advise any reader still using Mountain Lion 10.8 to stay with that system. This discussion is really for those like myself who don't have that option.]

jayv.

Level 4

1,303 points

Feb 27, 2014 12:05 AM in response to TopSteve

I was told it's better to create users in Open Directory right away so it's easier to enable and implement certain services later on. This so that down the road you don't have to delete users and re-create them. This will also delete user data along with it as it uses the user ID and recreating users will give them a different ID code.

I haven't done this yet myself but it sounds logical, best to be prepared.

Skakagrall Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 27, 2014 12:34 AM in response to jayv.

Ah, 'Open Directory' which is in the 'Advanced' menu of OS X Server? The oage explains "Open Directory is an easy-to-deploy directory and network authentication server that lets organizations benefit from centralized information". Right.

Why would we want to enable this if we are only doing 'iPhone on the table next to the Mac' synching?

jayv.

Level 4

1,303 points

Feb 27, 2014 12:40 AM in response to Skakagrall

For those features you don't need it. I found that shortly after I started using my server for syncing I wanted to do more with it. Now It runs contacts, calendars, VPN, Mail (notes and reminders) and I have even set up my own Messages server 🙂 For some of these things Open Direcotory is preferred. So if you think there is a chance you may want more from your server in the future, consider Open Directory.

Skakagrall Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 27, 2014 1:42 AM in response to jayv.

Thanks. Are other people coming to your server via the VPN? Is that the point of including it?

jayv.

Level 4

1,303 points

Feb 27, 2014 3:35 AM in response to Skakagrall

Mostly for myself, when I'm out of town etc.

As I have yet to master certificates I have not opened the server up to others.

TopSteve

Level 1

69 points

Feb 27, 2014 3:53 AM in response to Skakagrall

As a home user you don't need Open Directory it's more appropriate for an organization and adds a layer of complexity that most home users just don't need. Yes I have one setup but that is because I have to do some research for my work where I will need "Open Directory"

When I started systems admin 10 years back. LDAP witch is what Open Directory based on gave me a head-ake.

Skakagrall wrote:

Ah, 'Open Directory' which is in the 'Advanced' menu of OS X Server? The oage explains "Open Directory is an easy-to-deploy directory and network authentication server that lets organizations benefit from centralized information". Right.

Why would we want to enable this if we are only doing 'iPhone on the table next to the Mac' synching?

How to use OS X Server (Mavericks) to synch Contacts and Calendar between a Mac and an iPhone/iPad