10.4 server for home server congifuration.

[krreagan]

I have a PowerMac G4 MDD that I would like to turn into a home server (file server, mail, DNS, Web, Webmail). I don't really need the "network login" features unless necessary. I've looked around the net and have been unable to find a guide that suites my limited knowledge... (I'm a software engineer by trade and home administrator by hobby!) The articles I've found assume a knowledge base greater then I have. I don't have any formal IT training but my current server is a FreeBSD box that I've used and upgraded over the past ~10 years.) I would like to move my home server to OS X.

I've installed OS X Server 10.4. and looked through the docs and online but I'm still confused about how to set it up and exactly what parts I need to configure.

Is there a guide somewhere on how to set up OS X for a home server That is also for non-IT individuals?

TIA
KRR

 

[xserve@home]

TIA:

You may want to start by subscribing for a month or two to Lynda.com (I have no relationship with them - I just used them to come up to speed with my xserve) (BTW - When you are done using them be sure to unsubscribe).

To access your server from the net, you will need to open your router for the services you want to access. The iffy part is your ISP may not allow a persistant IP address for your public IP.

File serving is dirt easy. Web serving may be tricky because of your ISP rules and the persistant IP issue. Mail and Webmail may be more difficult if your ISP resists having "servers" on their net.

My IP address isn't gaurenteed, but it seems persistant (It hasn't changed in a year or so). So VPN is wonderful.

Network accounts are REALLY cool. I keep my family photos and itunes libraries on a network account on the server the login on my laptop and that account exist on the lap top and the sync whenever I login or logout and am on the local net.

Feel free to ask questions.