zeigh

Q: Mac OS Server- Ideal Configuration

Hello,

 

Sorry if this sounds naive, but would installing Mac OS Server software on my home office older Mac Pro disrupt using that same computer for other basic tasks?

 

See, my main goal for doing this is the ease of a central Time Machine backup for my army of Macs via a network connection. Of course, there are a few other server features that I could also implement well into my home business. I guess that I always viewed a "Mac server" as a computer dedicated to just that task until I read about the possibility of what I want to do.

 

 

Peace,

Dr. Z.

Mac Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), null

Posted on Aug 18, 2016 7:59 PM

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Q: Mac OS Server- Ideal Configuration

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  • by Camelot,

    Camelot Camelot Aug 18, 2016 8:26 PM in response to zeigh
    Level 8 (47,233 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 18, 2016 8:26 PM in response to zeigh

    It will work, it's just a matter of degree.

     

    Ultimately, when running as a server, you have to be aware that resources (CPU, disk I/O, memory, etc.) are no longer your own domain, and may be consumed by other users on the network utilizing the server's services.

     

    Most of the time that might not be an issue. Honestly, modern systems are so overpowered for the types of work we throw at them that they're more than capable of running a few background processes at the same time, but if you are into high-compute activities, or disk-intensive actions, then you should just be aware that your performance and productivity might suffer. That might mean your video encoding task, or your 3D rendering might stutter occasionally as a network user kicks off a Time Machine backup. If you can accept this, then go for it.