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Apple Xserve G5 Mac OS X Server Version, Optimized for the PowerPC G5, Built-In Network Services

Models: Xserve G5

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New in Mac OS X Server version 10.3

The latest release of Mac OS X Server has more than 150 new features, including:

•PowerPC G5–optimized kernel and numerical libraries

•Automatic Setup for configuring multiple servers

•Server Admin application for easy setup and monitoring of services

•Open Directory 2 for delivering enterprise directory and authentication services

•Single sign-on using Kerberos v5

•Samba 3 for supporting Windows users

•Postfix mail server for Mac and Windows users

•VPN server for Mac and Windows users

•JBoss application server for running J2EE-based applications

New in Mac OS X Server for Xserve G5

•802.1q VLAN support

•Background rebuilding of software RAID mirrors

•RAID volume promotion

•Enhanced UPS support

•Enhanced Server Monitor

•Customizable keyboard and mouse security options

•Xserve Remote Diagnostics

Technology Overview

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Xserve G5

Mac OS X Server

Version 10.3

Xserve G5 ships with Mac OS X Server version 10.3, the fourth major release of Apple’s award-winning server operating system. Mac OS X Server provides open source, standards-based workgroup and Internet services without the complexity inherent in Linux and other UNIX-based solutions. Hardware and software work together to deliver powerful, scalable solutions for supporting Mac, Windows, and Linux work- groups; deploying powerful Internet services; and hosting enterprise applications—all with an ease of use that is uniquely Macintosh. And with the unlimited-client license, there are no additional per-seat fees for connecting more users.4 This kind of power has never been easier to put to work—or easier to integrate into your organization.

Optimized for the PowerPC G5

On all systems, Mac OS X Server features a high-performance 64-bit file system that supports HFS+ (and HFS+ journaled) file systems up to 16TB, so you can create very large, single file systems for massive databases, image archives, and digital video storage. In addition, Apple has written version 10.3 to take maximum advantage of the PowerPC G5, enabling current 32-bit applications to benefit immediately from the key advances of 64-bit processing. On PowerPC G5–based systems, Mac OS X Server can utilize the processor’s 64-bit instructions and registers. It also includes 64-bit math and vector libraries that accelerate audio, video, and image processing, as well as large number operations—so existing applications that use these built-in libraries get an automatic performance boost.

Mac OS X Server v10.3 can address the 4TB of physical memory supported by the PowerPC G5. To ensure binary compatibility with existing 32-bit applications, Mac OS X manages access to the 64-bit physical memory space using a 32-bit virtual memory manager. This enables each Mac OS X application to access 4GB of address space, allowing multiple memory-intensive applications to run concurrently. For improved performance, data-intensive applications that require more than 4GB of memory can map pages of memory using the built-in mmap function.

Performance gains are even more dramatic when applications, particularly compute- intensive applications, are recompiled for the PowerPC G5. Using Xcode and GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) version 3.3, developers can get improved code generation that keeps the processor’s integer and floating-point units constantly fed with instructions.

Built-In Network Services

Mac OS X Server includes a complete suite of robust solutions for file and print, Internet and web, networking, workgroup management, and directory services. Apple has integrated and tested the latest open source technologies—such as OpenLDAP, Postfix, Apache, and JBoss—making them easy to deploy right out of the box.

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Apple Xserve G5 manual Mac OS X Server Version, Optimized for the PowerPC G5, Built-In Network Services
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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.