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OS X as a Small Business Server

  • 07-11-2005 8:36pm
    #1
    edbyrne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 25 ✭


    I want to run a mail server and internet access server through OS X, so I don't have to buy a PC for this simple task.

    My current setup is that everyone can access the net through the wireless router provided by Eircom (since all desktops and laptops in here are wireless).

    Of course this means there's no log of web traffic, central fire-wall and email is accessed by POP individually. Not very efficient!

    I've seen loads of PC apps that do this quite simply, but can't find anything for the Mac.

    Another quick query - if I did that, how would I regulate Internet access through the Mac Server rather than from the user PC straight through the Eircom router.

    Thanks ...


Comments

  • #2
    Hugh_C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,852 ✭✭✭Hugh_C


    edbyrne wrote:
    I want to run a mail server and internet access server through OS X, so I don't have to buy a PC for this simple task.

    I've done the mailserver on Panther (but not Tiger, yet). I set up PostFix using the information here:
    http://www.cutedgesystems.com/software/PostfixEnabler/

    It was relatively straightforward as I remember.

    Unless you have a dedicated, static IP, you'll need to use a dynamic IP tracking service. This is so that incoming mail knows where to find you mailserver

    https://www.dyndns.com/

    You need to register (free) and set up a predefined domain - for example

    mybusinessname.homeunix.com

    or something similar. You can also register your own domain.

    You then need to download an OS X client, https://www.dyndns.com/support/clients/mac.html - download and follow the instructions to automatically report back your IP.

    Will you be running OS X Client (i.e. "regular" OS X) or OS X Server? I've never used the server software but I think it has a different way of running the mailserver.

    hth,

    hugh


  • #3
    edbyrne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 25 ✭edbyrne


    Hi Hugh,

    Thanks for that - I'll be using a the normal desktop version of OS X Tiger. I've a static IP and on-line mailserver already, I just want to download and distribute in centrally. Looked into some software and this seems straightforward enough.

    What I still can't figure out is how to route my Internet traffic through the server. Whatever about the Mac's in here, I especially don't want the Windows PC having free access to the wireless broadband, I don't trust it's security enough!


  • #4
    Hugh_C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,852 ✭✭✭Hugh_C


    edbyrne wrote:
    Hi Hugh,

    Thanks for that - I'll be using a the normal desktop version of OS X Tiger. I've a static IP and on-line mailserver already, I just want to download and distribute in centrally. Looked into some software and this seems straightforward enough.

    What I still can't figure out is how to route my Internet traffic through the server. Whatever about the Mac's in here, I especially don't want the Windows PC having free access to the wireless broadband, I don't trust it's security enough!


    Ed, I think you can still do your distribution locally with PostFix, as far as I know. I'm not sure what sort of package you're on with your ISP, but some of them get a little excited if you're hosting something you shouldn't officially be. Anyway - PostFix is your man...

    As regards controlling the web access, there is "Internet Sharing" in system preferences, but I guess that's not what you're looking for. Maybe Vicomsoft Internet Gateway would work for you, but I've no experience of it personally. It looks like it should, but it ain't free.

    Hugh

    PS I can't remove the stupid thumbs-down icon that I inadvertently put on when Safari freaked out at whatever pissy piece of software this board is run on. Standards compliant? Yeah right...


  • #5
    HomunQlus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 210 ✭✭HomunQlus


    To use a client operating system for something a server system should do, is not a good idea.

    You're better off with Mac OS X Server for that. All the tools you need are in there.

    Mac OS X Server
    http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/


  • #6
    darraghrogan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 309 ✭✭darraghrogan


    The best and cheapest way of doing what you want is using an old pc and debian linux - doddle to set up once you get over not using a mouse.

    Otherwise - mac os x servcer looks promising as HomunQlus says.

    Darragh


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  • #7
    Dr_Teeth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,010 ✭✭✭Dr_Teeth


    Standard OSX will do everything you need as long as you're not scared of the command prompt. :)

    MacOS Server I'm sure has nice front-ends for a lot of the things you'd need to configure but I wouldn't buy it personally unless I had a large network of Macs to look after and wanted to use its distributed installation/monitoring capabilities too.


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