OS X Server on older Mac?

Question

Level 3

554 points

OS X Server on older Mac?

I have a MacPro1,1 - 2 x 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon running Snow Leopard 10.6.8 that I use primarily for my Plex Media Server. I've been trying to tweak it's configuration to make it more bulletproof - so far, all I've really done is adjust the energy saver settings so that it only goes to sleep in the wee hours, and disabling software update as well as any other unnecessary features (Bluetooth, for instance), etc. I was considering installing OS X Server on the machine since it seems like it would be easier to manage in a headless state (currently I use Screen Sharing to manage the machine from my day to day Mac). But in doing a little research I've just managed to confuse myself more on whether that's a good idea. According to MacTracker the maximum OS for this machine is 10.7.5 - although I've read that it's possible to install newer OSes on older Macs with a little monkeying around. Just wondering if anyone has any advice on if I should just stick with 10.6.8 (and if so, any tips on how to make the system as lean and stable as possible), or should I upgrade to 10.7.5 and tweak that system as much as possible, or should try to install the OS X server (and if so, where can I get an older version), or should I dive in the deep end and try to hack the thing to run Sierra? One issue that has led me to this question is that the latest version of Plex requires 10.9 or higher. Any advice, insights, or links to further reading would be greatly appreciated.

Posted on Mar 10, 2017 9:11 AM

Reply

Answer 1

cdhw

Level 4

3,594 points

Mar 11, 2017 6:43 AM in response to StiffMittens

My advice is don't waste your time trying. If you need Server for some reason, and if the system is just for you then you probably don't, buy a Mac Mini and install Server 5.2

Even if you succeed with your 'hack', Server will want your Mac to idle continuously. Your Mac Pro idles at 170W, which costs ca $300/year where I am. A new Mac Mini idles at 6W, which is more like $10/year.

C.

Reply

Answer 2

Fawzi

Level 1

19 points

Jun 1, 2017 2:13 PM in response to StiffMittens

It's been a few months since you've posted this, but still...

I've been running a Plex Server on my Mac Mini 2007 that I have upgraded with a faster processor and an SSD. But it still can't run anything else than 10.7.5. And since Plex broke the web access through versions of PMS prior to 1.0. The loss of that feature and eventually more to lose eventually really annoyed me.

So I decided to install Plex server in a Linux virtual machine. I proceeded to install VirtualBox (V.4.3.40) and than the latest Lubuntu (which is one of the lightest versions of Ubuntu 16.10 ), worked out all the bugs, figured out how to share my media drive and finally installed the latest Plex Media Server.

I tested it with three simultaneous movies playing from three different platforms (iOS, Web and Rasplex). And didn't get a single stutter.

In fact, playing a 1080p movie through rasplex has the old 2.33Ghz Core2Duo hovering at around 20% capacity. 🙂

A future Ubuntu update will undoubtedly break the old VirtualBox (V4.3.40) but I bet Plex Server will be running for a while on Ubuntu 16.10. 🙂

Reply

Answer 3

Jun 2, 2017 5:34 PM in response to StiffMittens

FYI, you had to tweak its* configuration. It's = it is.

I would love it if Server worked and if Server worked on 10.6.8. 10.6.8 is my preferred OS.

You may find an older version of OS X Server for 10.6.8.

I have two 2010 and 2012 Mac Pro towers and while I have somehow gotten a 10.11.x server installed on one of them, the latest Mac OS and latest Server will not even complete installation on the other. It's just maddeningly bad. I'd preserve your sanity and seek other options.

You COULD run an old copy of VMWare 3.x under 10.6.8 and run a VM with a newer Mac OS in it and use that to host Mac OS X server, but good luck. I have wasted yet another day on Server but this is simply trying to get the product to merely install. And it won't.

Save your sanity and just use the sharing options you have in 10.6.8 if you can. Run a VM image to host a newer OS inside it if you want to use the Plex Media Server. Stay FAR away from Mac OS Server, because when it decides not to work, it's a world of pain.

Reply