Apple Essential Manual for Xserve Mac Accessories and Maintenance

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Technology Overview

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Xserve G5

Mac OS X Server Maintenance Program

This subscription program makes it easy to manage software expenditures while benefiting from the latest technologies and improvements. With one easy payment, you’ll receive major Mac OS X Server software upgrades for three years.

Mac OS X Server Software Support

Apple also offers support programs for Mac OS X Server that extend beyond the up- and-running support provided by the AppleCare Premium Service and Support Plan. Apple technical support experts can provide consultative phone and email support for Mac OS X Server integration and migration issues, as well as help with command-line configuration.

Three levels of Mac OS X Server Software Support are available, depending on the number of incidents supported and desired response time. Each plan provides one year of coverage.

Select covers up to 10 incidents with 4-hour response for priority 1 issues (server down), 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.7 Support for additional incidents can be purchased as needed.

Preferred covers an unlimited number of incidents with 2-hour response for priority 1 issues, 12 hours a day, 7 days a week,7 and assigns a technical account manager to the organization.

Alliance covers an unlimited number of incidents at multiple locations with 1-hour response for priority 1 issues, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.7 This plan includes an onsite review by an Apple technical support engineer.

Training and Certification Programs

Apple offers comprehensive instruction on Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server, covering such topics as client management, system troubleshooting, and cross-platform network configuration. A combination of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, classes are taught by Apple Certified Trainers with real-world experience and dynamic presentation skills. Classes are offered at Apple Authorized Training Centers, as well as at customer locations.

Once IT professionals have acquired the requisite skills, Apple certification programs provide tangible evidence of their technical expertise. For more information about Apple training and certification programs, visit www.apple.com/training.

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Contents Technology Overview January Xserve G5Contents What’s New? IntroductionProduct Overview Key FeaturesXserve G5 Xserve RAIDRack-Optimized Server Design Xserve G5 Server ConfigurationBack view Most innovative HPC hardware High-Density Cluster Node ConfigurationXserve G5 Cluster Processor Performance Performance OverviewLinpack Double-Precision Calculations $333 per gigaflop Technology OverviewBlast DNA Sequence Matching HMMer Networking ThroughputNetBench SMB HMMer Genome Sequence MatchingWebBench Apache Web Serving WebBenchBit Computing Power PowerPC G5 ProcessorApple and IBM Partnership Billion times biggerPowerPC G5 Architecture Next-Generation PowerPC ArchitectureVast amounts of addressable memory Multiple high-precision calculationsServer-Optimized Architecture High-Bandwidth Server ArchitectureTotal throughput of up to 1GB/s Point-to-Point System Controller Gigahertz Frontside BusAdvanced ECC Memory Technology Double Data Rate DDR memoryDual Onboard Gigabit Ethernet High-Performance PCI-X ExpansionSupport for up to 8GB of RAM ECC protectionAdditional Connectivity Sata Drive Technology Affordable, Scalable StorageInternal storage comparison Up to 750GB of storageMonitoring of drive health Hot-plug Apple Drive ModulesXserve Storage Scalability Apple Drive ModuleSoftware and Hardware RAID Options Xserve RAID storage solutionSoftware RAID in Mac OS X Server Optional hardware RAID PCI cardRemote monitoring Integrated Hardware MonitoringAutomatic notifications Xserve Remote DiagnosticsBuilt-In Network Services Optimized for the PowerPC G5Mac OS X Server Version New in Mac OS X Server versionInnovative Remote Management High-availability servicesAppleCare Service Parts Kit AppleCare Premium Service and Support PlanConvenient replacement modules Mac OS X Server Software Support Mac OS X Server Maintenance ProgramTraining and Certification Programs Purchasing Information Standard ConfigurationsBuild-to-Order Options Related Products Compute power with Macintosh ease of useApple Workgroup Cluster for Bioinformatics Hardware Technical SpecificationsProcessor MemoryStorage Size and weightRack support Electrical requirementsFor More Information Included servicesSoftware Mac OS X Server

Xserve G5 specifications

The Apple Xserve G5 was a powerful rack-mounted server that was introduced by Apple in 2004. Built on the robust PowerPC architecture, it marked a significant entry into the enterprise server market for the company, reflecting its commitment to high-performance computing and advanced technology solutions.

One of the main features of the Xserve G5 was its dual dual-core PowerPC G5 processors, which allowed for exceptional computation performance. This configuration enabled up to 8 processing cores in a single server unit, significantly enhancing multitasking capabilities and making it suitable for high-demand applications. With support for up to 16GB of DDR SDRAM, the server ensured ample memory for intensive operations and large-scale data processing tasks.

In terms of storage, the Xserve G5 featured a versatile design that supported up to four hot-swappable Serial ATA (SATA) drive bays. This capability enabled users to easily replace or upgrade hard drives without downtime, which is crucial in enterprise environments. The server also supported RAID configurations, offering options for increased reliability and data redundancy.

Networking capabilities were another highlight of the Xserve G5. It came equipped with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing robust network throughput and redundancy. This feature was particularly valuable for mission-critical applications where uptime and performance were essential. Additionally, the Xserve G5 was compatible with various networking protocols and featured built-in support for Active Directory, simplifying integration into existing IT infrastructures.

The operating system of choice for the Xserve G5 was Mac OS X Server, which offered a user-friendly interface along with powerful server management tools. The software provided a wide range of services, including file sharing, web hosting, and email services, tailored for small to medium enterprises and education institutions.

For those seeking expandability, the Xserve G5 boasted a PCI-X expansion slot, allowing users to add various hardware components such as additional network interfaces or specialized processing cards.

In terms of its physical design, the Xserve G5 had a sleek, 1U form factor, making it easy to integrate into existing server racks while maintaining a modern aesthetic. The efficient cooling system was designed to keep the unit running optimally, ensuring reliability during extended periods of use.

In conclusion, the Apple Xserve G5 represented a significant advance in server technology with its powerful dual G5 processors, ample memory and storage options, and robust networking capabilities. Its combination of performance and user-friendly Mac OS X Server made it a notable choice for organizations seeking reliable computing solutions in the mid-2000s.