setup a Mac mini server for small business

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setup a Mac mini server for small business

Im trying to come up with a solution for a families small business.

theres two of them that operate it out of their home and need something central to access all the company data and documents.

one travels and one stays back, so the one traveling all they do is forward an email and thats the current documentation they have is in email, no database or file archiving.

we also want to get their old files and documents scanned in and accessible too, instead of digging through boxes of stuff.

they also would like remote access while on the road to access their data, i presume they may use macbooks and possibly iOS devices.

I was thinking a mac mini, and an airport/time capsule for backup purposes and remote accessibility.

any suggestions on file management and remote access?

thank you!

Posted on Jan 30, 2015 6:18 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 31, 2015 4:59 AM in response to Space Ranger

Sorry, this is going to sound like an ad, but I can't help it. I love these products!

I always tell my small business customers to get a subscription to BackBlaze. First and foremost because it offers unlimited offsite backup, which small businesses typically NEVER do. But the added bonus is that, once their system is backed up, it gives the remote access to their entire file system, so the person traveling has access to anything they need on the road.

For document scanning, I love the Fujitzu Scansnap iX500. It's fast, scans both sides of the document and does on-the-fly OCR so all the scanned documents are immediately searchable. It works flawlessly with Macs and can even scan wirelessly direct to an iPhone or iPad.

Mark

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Answer 2

Jan 30, 2015 7:45 PM in response to Space Ranger

A mini with server with a static IP or non static IP with dynDNS or something similar would give them access to the documents as you are describing. Time Machine for data backup can be worked as well.

We do this with a bigger small family business than you describe with no problem. The key is access from the internet is needed via one of the two methods above. The drawback is getting into running your own systems which simply is what it is no matter what business size.

If you are essentially looking at file sharing you don't really need anything additional.

Hope this helps.

-Erich

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Answer 3

Space Ranger Author

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75 points

Jan 31, 2015 6:54 AM in response to Space Ranger

Thanks for those suggestions.

They need file sharing on the road, away from the home office. I think I understand the concept, but aside from my own personal set-up of OS X server and back to my mac type things, its not really business-y in my opinion to offer them.

Unless they believe it will good enough.

So how would i set-up dyDNS? i have a test system i can work with if there are steps you'd recommend?

I just want to offer them a way to access their documents while traveling to sites through the Apple ecosystem.

BackBlaze, i hear about this, my only concern is if this company disappears then what? yknow. Crash plan is a nice alternative, but I'm looking for inside the Apple box methods here if possible.

i really appreciate the ideas.

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Answer 4

Jan 31, 2015 8:22 AM in response to Space Ranger

No steps that I can specifically recommend. Go to the dynDNS site for how it works. There are others that do the same thing so look around.

If you set up a server and do all of this you will want them to look at using VPN instead of opening up file sharing to the web. VPN is encrypted and will be much more secure.

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Answer 5

Space Ranger Author

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75 points

Jan 31, 2015 3:07 PM in response to Space Ranger

How about this type of set-up.

AirPort Extreme + MacMini with OS X Server, VPN turned on + ISP provides static IP Address - traveling business partner is able to VPN in to data and documents stored on the home/business server?

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Answer 6

Jan 31, 2015 6:18 PM in response to Space Ranger

That is the general idea. Yes.

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Answer 7

Space Ranger Author

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Feb 5, 2015 1:16 PM in response to Erich Wetzel

Thanks, one thing I don't recall on how to do is, so when I set-up VPN on the Mini with OS X Server, is there a certain protocol that is best to use with the Static IP?

Also, in order to remote into the mini itself, i forgot is it the static IP Address as the server name and just use a username/password of that Mac mini or do i need to know the LAN IP for the mini?

thank you

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Answer 8

Feb 5, 2015 2:16 PM in response to Space Ranger

It has been too many years since I actually set up the VPN on a Mac Server so I don't know exactly what the options are for VPN setup on the server now. I have a hardware VPN.

The public static IP address issued by your ISP is the one the client computer uses to connect from the internet to your network. The VPN ports have to be set up in your router that has the public static IP address to forward to the Mac Server on its own internal private ip in most setups. For a small business you would not normally plug a server directly into the internet public IP.

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Answer 9

Space Ranger Author

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Feb 5, 2015 2:52 PM in response to Erich Wetzel

i see.

so the 1 business partner is out of state with their Macbook.

Business Modem/Static IP -> Apple AirPort Router -> MacMini Server

17.1.1.1

SO on the traveling Mac, goto Connect to -> and enter 17.1.1.1?

that should trail it to the Mac mini server

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Answer 10

Feb 5, 2015 3:03 PM in response to Space Ranger

Public IP --> VPN ports on whatever device is routing for you are forwarded to internal IP of MacMini Server

Client computer connects to Public IP and the connection is forwarded by the router to the server directly. Client can access authorized items on server.

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Answer 11

Space Ranger Author

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75 points

Feb 5, 2015 8:24 PM in response to Erich Wetzel

thanks.

but if i were not using vpn, i thought there was another way to remote in using a static IP?

thanks again

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