Apple Error Confirms Xserve Refresh Coming Soon

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/04/02/apple-error-confirms-xserve-refresh-coming-soon/)


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/04/02/231757-xserve_nehalem_500.png

PC World reports (http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/162549/apple_hints_at_launch_of_nehalembased_xserve.html) that an error on Apple's Hong Kong online store reveals that an announcement of new Xserve models featuring Intel "Nehalem" processors should be occurring in the near future. The error involves a broken image on the main Xserve ordering page (http://store.apple.com/hk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/xserve?mco=MTIyMDc) with a filename of "promo-ribbon-nehalem.jpg" and an alt attribute reading "Pre-order the new Xserve with Intel Xeon (Nehalem)."A notice on Apple's Hong Kong online store is offering to take preorders of the Xserve based on Intel's latest Xeon server chips. However, preorders cannot be placed as the link hasn't been activated yet, and customization capabilities for the old Xserve products have been disabled.Rumors of an Xserve refresh have been gathering steam in recent days, with changes in Apple's estimated shipping times (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/03/31/xserve-refresh-coming-within-the-next-week-or-two/) and text strings in the OS X 10.5.7 beta (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/04/01/more-evidence-of-upcoming-xserve-refresh/) pointing to an imminent update to Apple's rackmountable server computers.

Article Link: Apple Error Confirms Xserve Refresh Coming Soon (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/04/02/apple-error-confirms-xserve-refresh-coming-soon/)

[Grimace]

Bring it. We need to order our new XServes in the next few weeks!!

[InkMaster]

Just a damn shame that all 3rd party RAIDs look so dreadful when next to XServes :(

[AidenShaw]

Just a damn shame that all 3rd party RAIDs look so dreadful when next to XServes :(

Since Apple has no RAID, I guess you're stuck with dreadful 3rd party kit....

Funny, though, I've never seen "looks" pop up on the requirements for an RFP for servers.

[iMacmatician]

So, earlier than June?

[Toe]

Woah... now PC World is a source for rumors about Macs?

My, how times have changed.

[hiimamac]

So, earlier than June?

I'm excited about this - especially since working with entertainment clients who are mostly mac. Final Cut Server soon, new Xserve, and Intel released new chips yesterday (mid range), that are getting rave reviews. You would think after all this time that Apple would pass this savings onto it's customers, sure it would affect their top of the line Mac Pro, but still, they can build machines and sell them for $1500 that beat the last gen Mac Pros.

I know it's a strange position to take, but part of me hopes something happens on the CPU front the same way the Palm Pre and Android pushed Apple to release a software/hardware update in the new 3G phone, that looks to be really great.

Anywhooooo, wouldn't it be great if Apple started to push their server solutions and made them much more affordable. For audio/video, man would I be pumped up about this.

:-)

[Pants Dragon]

Since Apple has no RAID, I guess you're stuck with dreadful 3rd party kit....

Funny, though, I've never seen "looks" pop up on the requirements for an RFP for servers.

RAID Card
Enhance storage performance and data protection by configuring your system with the Xserve RAID Card and multiple SAS or SATA hard drives. The Xserve RAID Card replaces the built-in SATA/SAS controller board and does not use a PCI Express slot. Please note that when you select the Xserve RAID Card you must choose either all SATA or SAS drives in drive bays 1 through 3.

That's from the Apple store. Configuring an Xserve.:confused:

EDIT: Misunderstood. I'm stupid.

[InkMaster]

Since Apple has no RAID, I guess you're stuck with dreadful 3rd party kit....

Funny, though, I've never seen "looks" pop up on the requirements for an RFP for servers.

Well, as you may remember Apple did have xRAID. It was of course heavily overpriced and did much less then the competition, but oh man did it look pretty doing it :)

[AidenShaw]

Anywhooooo, wouldn't it be great if Apple started to push their server solutions and made them much more affordable.

If Apple wants to play in the server space, they need much more than one entry level 1U server.

They need a 2U with twice as many slots and disks, and a 4U with 8 times as many.

The Xserve is the "Mac Mini" of servers. Interesting, but too constrained to be seriously considered. Every other server manufacturer has a family of systems that are similar in concept, but vary in expandability. The Xserver has no place to grow.

[Toe]

Funny, though, I've never seen "looks" pop up on the requirements for an RFP for servers.

All other features being equal, I would go for the cooler-looking thing for my rack. (Not that equality is very frequent.)

A rack doesn't get seen very much, but the people who do see it are either stuffed suits or visiting geeks. The former are better wowed by cool-looking things, and the latter, well... it's always fun to show off your cool-looking rack o' stuff to other nerds.

On my last rack(s), we had a glowing power-strip (got it for really cheap off geeks.com) mostly 'cause, well it looked cool. And it still served a function, so what the heck.

[Toe]

The Xserve is the "Mac Mini" of servers. Interesting, but too constrained to be seriously considered. Every other server manufacturer has a family of systems that are similar in concept, but vary in expandability. The Xserver has no place to grow.

It's great for RAICs. That seems to be Apple's answer to every argument about the lack of expandability: don't stuff one server full of drives; spread over several slim servers. And if you need lotsa storage, it should be external. (I'm not saying I agree; just that that's what they seem to propose.)

[khaos34]

Just gotta say, it's alt attribute, not alt tag. Alt tag would be like <alt>.
Anyway, these would be awesome to get for work to replace the years-old servers that half-work.

[KnightWRX]

Since Apple has no RAID, I guess you're stuck with dreadful 3rd party kit....

I'm puzzled by this comment too. Did you mean Apple has no external storage arrays ? Because I sure do see a lot of RAID options on both the Xserve and Mac Pro.

[AidenShaw]

... the people who do see it are either stuffed suits or visiting geeks.

We have a separate "glass room" computer room for the stuffed suits to see.

No Apple gear there - quite frankly a rack of HP or IBM or Dell gear is just as impressive as a rack of Xserves. The impact comes from an array of systems. It doesn't matter if the individual systems are brushed aluminum or black magnesium - it's the look of a tower of the same thing.

[AidenShaw]

I'm puzzled by this comment too. Did you mean Apple has no external storage arrays ?

Correct. Apple discontinued the Xserve RAID a long time ago. They recommend 3rd party storage now.

See http://www.apple.com/server/storage/

[KnightWRX]

We have a separate "glass room" computer room for the stuffed suits to see.

No Apple gear there - quite frankly a rack of HP or IBM or Dell gear is just as impressive as a rack of Xserves. The impact comes from an array of systems. It doesn't matter if the individual systems are brushed aluminum or black magnesium - it's the look of a tower of the same thing.

Pffft... 1U racks look cheap. Anybody with a Hyundai Accent budget can get a rack together. It's much more impressive when the suits walk into the room and stand face to face with the monolith (the only reason we keep ours around) :

[AidenShaw]

Pffft... 1U racks look cheap. Anybody with a Hyundai Accent budget can get a rack together. It's much more impressive when the suits walk into the room and stand face to face with the monolith (the only reason we keep ours around) :

We keep our Z-series in another lab, where we can use them.

The stuffed suits wouldn't understand.

[polaris20]

If Apple wants to play in the server space, they need much more than one entry level 1U server.

They need a 2U with twice as many slots and disks, and a 4U with 8 times as many.

The Xserve is the "Mac Mini" of servers. Interesting, but too constrained to be seriously considered. Every other server manufacturer has a family of systems that are similar in concept, but vary in expandability. The Xserver has no place to grow.

They'd be fine at a 1U if they switched to 2.5 SAS drives, ala HP DL360 G6.

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06b/15351-15351-3328412-241644-241475-3884319-3907822-3907823.html

The 360 is a nice server, and definitely not entry level (that's be the DL100 series).

I kinda doubt Apple will be releasing anything else (2U, 4U) anytime soon, unfortunately.

[Mykbibby]

Xserve update = FCS3. Count me in!

[Toe]

We have a separate "glass room" computer room for the stuffed suits to see.

No Apple gear there - quite frankly a rack of HP or IBM or Dell gear is just as impressive as a rack of Xserves. The impact comes from an array of systems. It doesn't matter if the individual systems are brushed aluminum or black magnesium - it's the look of a tower of the same thing.

Actually, now that you mention it… the most impressive thing I have found is to set each server on a different stats view (or some even on just a fast-moving log view) and then to set the KVM to rotate through them every 2 seconds. Looks like important stuff is happening. :)

[polaris20]

Actually, now that you mention it… the most impressive thing I have found is to set each server on a different stats view (or some even on just a fast-moving log view) and then to set the KVM to rotate through them every 2 seconds. Looks like important stuff is happening. :)

I find the binary clock, lava lamp, and plasma ball to be equally effective. :D

[Sehnsucht]

If Apple wants to play in the server space, they need much more than one entry level 1U server.

They need a 2U with twice as many slots and disks, and a 4U with 8 times as many.

The Xserve is the "Mac Mini" of servers. Interesting, but too constrained to be seriously considered. Every other server manufacturer has a family of systems that are similar in concept, but vary in expandability. The Xserve has no place to grow.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/TheDavidFrom1988/295-1.jpg
Dell PowerEdge R900 (http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/server-poweredge-r900?c=us&cs=555&l=en&s=biz)

Agreed, Apple should definitely roll out a 4U Xserve with support for 256 gigabytes of RAM and eight HDDs like the Dell above. Of course, were they ever to do so, it would be ridiculed for being too expensive...I mean, come on, 256GB of memory is a $30,200 (thirty-thousand dollars!!!) :eek: add-on with the 4U PowerEdge from Dell!

Anyways, I think it's hilarious when people complain about the price of a freaking server (and we all know they will) especially when you work for a corporation that buys $250,000-servers in bulk. When you're talking about that much money in your budget, I'd say the alleged "Apple Tax" is the least of your worries.

Known facts about the (upcoming) 4U Xserve "Extreme" ;)

1. It will be better than the Dell. :D
2. It will be more expensive than the Dell. :D
3. It will be less of a hassle to maintain and experience much less downtime than the Dell. :D
4. It will probably not have Red Hat Linux as a CTO option. :D

Funny, though, I've never seen "looks" pop up on the requirements for an RFP for servers.

5. It will look better than the Dell. :cool:

[iMaggot]

I'm excited about this - especially since working with entertainment clients who are mostly mac. Final Cut Server soon, new Xserve, and Intel released new chips yesterday (mid range), that are getting rave reviews. You would think after all this time that Apple would pass this savings onto it's customers, sure it would affect their top of the line Mac Pro, but still, they can build machines and sell them for $1500 that beat the last gen Mac Pros.

I know it's a strange position to take, but part of me hopes something happens on the CPU front the same way the Palm Pre and Android pushed Apple to release a software/hardware update in the new 3G phone, that looks to be really great.

Anywhooooo, wouldn't it be great if Apple started to push their server solutions and made them much more affordable. For audio/video, man would I be pumped up about this.

:-)

Agreed man :)

[hiimamac]

Just a damn shame that all 3rd party RAIDs look so dreadful when next to XServes :(

not sure where you shop but have you ever seen Xserve beside promise, avid or active storage racks? It looks preety cool. Most clients I see that use Xserve (editors) need only 3-4 racks. One backup, one meta, one server, sometimes one more.

[polaris20]

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr214/TheDavidFrom1988/295-1.jpg
Dell PowerEdge R900 (http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/server-poweredge-r900?c=us&cs=555&l=en&s=biz)

Agreed, Apple should definitely roll out a 4U Xserve with support for 256 gigabytes of RAM and eight HDDs like the Dell above. Of course, were they ever to do so, it would be ridiculed for being too expensive...I mean, come on, 256GB of memory is a $30,200 (thirty-thousand dollars!!!) :eek: add-on with the 4U PowerEdge from Dell!

Anyways, I think it's hilarious when people complain about the price of a freaking server (and we all know they will) especially when you work for a corporation that buys $250,000-servers in bulk. When you're talking about that much money in your budget, I'd say the alleged "Apple Tax" is the least of your worries.

Known facts about the (upcoming) 4U Xserve "Extreme" ;)

1. It will be better than the Dell. :D
2. It will be more expensive than the Dell. :D
3. It will be less of a hassle to maintain and experience much less downtime than the Dell. :D
4. It will probably not have Red Hat Linux as a CTO option. :D



5. It will look better than the Dell. :cool:

Dell servers would be great if they would stop using Fujitsu drives. I've replaced more hard drives in Dell servers than anyone. Well maybe not anyone, but a lot!

[queshy]

Haha, reminds me of when they leaked the PM G4 on their website before it was released. Someone is going to get fired...

[talkingfuture]

I was just thinking that, if not fired then a big telling off.

[DoFoT9]

mmmnnnnnn more money to waste

[hugociss]

haha, you guys are like stalking Apple. Funny how a company like Apple can make such a mistake! Steve Jobs virtually triple checks everything the company does..

[Neodym]

Funny, though, I've never seen "looks" pop up on the requirements for an RFP for servers.
Studies have shown that "looks" (and other soft facts) can play a pretty important factor for "deciders" - no matter how professional they are. As this usually happens on a subconscious level, it's hard to recognize and avoid it...

[Schizoid]

Just a damn shame that all 3rd party RAIDs look so dreadful when next to XServes :(

I disagree, these look nice in an Xserve RAID stylee:link (http://www.getactivestorage.co.uk/)

165529

[InkMaster]

haha, you guys are like stalking Apple. Funny how a company like Apple can make such a mistake! Steve Jobs virtually triple checks everything the company does..

You mean the same Steve Jobs thats MIA at the moment and can't triple check everything the company does? :rolleyes:

[xparaparafreakx]

They should keep it 1U. I only use my server as a OD Master. My dell servers keep the data and do my AD crap.

Now that I think about it, my Xserve is 3 years old. Man G5 Xserve, thats old.

[dernhelm]

I'm beginning to think the "apple tax" is more of a myth than anything else. I went and configured a Dell PowerEdge R610 with two 2.8Ghz Xeon Processors, a 3 yr "subscription" to SUSE Linux, 4GB RAM, a 73GB HDD (73?), a Gig-E NIC port and a DVD+RW drive. Price? $6,883.

Configure the same XServe (except 80GB HDD), the OS/X "server maintenance program" and AppleCare, and you're in for about $6,148.

The Dell does have 6 ports for HDD instead of just 3, but the largest HDD they allow you to configure internally is 300GB - which means max 1.8TB of storage, and they only support SaS. XServe supports both SaS and SATA, meaning you can cram 3TB inside it if you want. We just use the internal disk drives for the host OS, anyway.

It is possible to configure cheaper systems for both companies, but for our needs, that is a pretty typical configuration, and Apple would be no more expensive than Dell. We buy this kind of equipment to run multiple VMs on them and use them for continuous integration servers - I wish we'd be a little more open to purchases from places other than Dell.

[Voidness]

Haha, reminds me of when they leaked the PM G4 on their website before it was released. Someone is going to get fired...
I remember that too. But it was for the Powermac G5. I also remember Steve Jobs mentioning the error on stage during the WWDC 2003 keynote.

What an amazing keynote that was :)

[uaecasher]

Apple has released the new one check the xserver page

[twoodcc]

alright! so this means 10.5.7 is coming soon also.

[DELLsFan]

Am I the only one underwhelmed here? I mean no offense folks, so don't take this the wrong way ...

... Where exactly is the market for a rack mounted, Macintosh server today? Did the market share for server hardware suddenly shift to Apple (of all places)? We are talking about the same company who hasn't filled the hardware gap between iMac and Mac Pro or the gap between iMac and Mac Mini and yet lately, I keep reading about Xserve! Xserve! Xserve! ... blah blah blah Xserve! Xserve! Xserve! blah blah blah BBQ11!!1 ... :rolleyes:

No really, can someone please school me in the practical utility for Apple servers? In other words, what is it that makes XServe a viable alternative over hardware running Windows or Linux? Is there that great a corporate IT demand for these products? Who else besides the Apple IT dept is using Apple server hardware?

Meanwhile, on the home consumer side, if all I wanted was a file server, it seems to me a Mini + Drobo would be all I need, right?

:confused:

[edesignuk]

I can hear all 10 people that actually want one stampeding toward an Apple Store as we speak :p

[jnc]

I can hear all 10 people that actually want one stampeding toward an Apple Store as we speak :p

Silly rabbit... Apple Stores won't sell them :p I'm lucky if I even see a Mac Pro in most stores...

[Tallest Skil]

Apple has released the new one check the xserver page

No, they haven't. Do some actual research before posting.

[kornyboy]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5H11 Safari/525.20)

Nice find. It looks like we will be seeing this soon.

[MrCrowbar]

Silly rabbit... Apple Stores won't sell them :p I'm lucky if I even see a Mac Pro in most stores...

There's usually one to demo the 30" Cinema Display. But I believe very few people buy the standard configuration anyway. They can show you the case and the insides at the store, then you can just order it.

I guess the Mac Pros are a real pain to carry around just because of their size and weight. It's just nicer to have it delivered to you. Macbooks or Mac Minis are Fun to buy. You can carry three of those per hand easily.

[overcast]

I love how everyone still considers these updates by Apple to be in "error". Exactly how many times do you have to "accidentally" update a site before it's considered intentional.

[overcast]

I'm beginning to think the "apple tax" is more of a myth than anything else. I went and configured a Dell PowerEdge R610 with two 2.8Ghz Xeon Processors, a 3 yr "subscription" to SUSE Linux, 4GB RAM, a 73GB HDD (73?), a Gig-E NIC port and a DVD+RW drive. Price? $6,883.

Configure the same XServe (except 80GB HDD), the OS/X "server maintenance program" and AppleCare, and you're in for about $6,148.

The Dell does have 6 ports for HDD instead of just 3, but the largest HDD they allow you to configure internally is 300GB - which means max 1.8TB of storage, and they only support SaS. XServe supports both SaS and SATA, meaning you can cram 3TB inside it if you want. We just use the internal disk drives for the host OS, anyway.

It is possible to configure cheaper systems for both companies, but for our needs, that is a pretty typical configuration, and Apple would be no more expensive than Dell. We buy this kind of equipment to run multiple VMs on them and use them for continuous integration servers - I wish we'd be a little more open to purchases from places other than Dell.
This is typically the case. The argument always arises when people complain that they can buy a computer at Walmart for $300. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Dells catering to the commodity crowd ruined the entire market.

[guzhogi]

This is typically the case. The argument always arises when people complain that they can buy a computer at Walmart for $300. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Dells catering to the commodity crowd ruined the entire market.

I find one place there's a significant "Apple Tax" is on RAM. If you order through the Apple store, it can be 1000s of dollars (depending on how much you get) while the same kind & amount of RAM on say dealram.com will be only a few hundred $.

[thogs_cave]

The Xserve is the "Mac Mini" of servers. Interesting, but too constrained to be seriously considered. Every other server manufacturer has a family of systems that are similar in concept, but vary in expandability. The Xserver has no place to grow.

It's a very narrow-focus server, but useful in its niche. Render farms, HPC, Virtualization, Web. Any of these it's good for. I agree with the need for something with more expandability, something like a Mac Pro in a case that can be rack-mounted. With easy to access disks, natch.

But, even the 1U can take a decent amount of RAM (32G), and 3x1T disks. The HW RAID card doesn't take a slot, and it is well-designed. We use a number of them for HD video ingest/processing. I also use 'em for edge servers and the like.

I'd like to see Apple release something like Sun's StorageTek J4400 or the like. That would also be handy.

[polaris20]

Am I the only one underwhelmed here? I mean no offense folks, so don't take this the wrong way ...

... Where exactly is the market for a rack mounted, Macintosh server today? Did the market share for server hardware suddenly shift to Apple (of all places)? We are talking about the same company who hasn't filled the hardware gap between iMac and Mac Pro or the gap between iMac and Mac Mini and yet lately, I keep reading about Xserve! Xserve! Xserve! ... blah blah blah Xserve! Xserve! Xserve! blah blah blah BBQ11!!1 ... :rolleyes:

No really, can someone please school me in the practical utility for Apple servers? In other words, what is it that makes XServe a viable alternative over hardware running Windows or Linux? Is there that great a corporate IT demand for these products? Who else besides the Apple IT dept is using Apple server hardware?

Meanwhile, on the home consumer side, if all I wanted was a file server, it seems to me a Mini + Drobo would be all I need, right?

:confused:

It can do everything I do on a linux server, for roughly the same price as we pay for an HP DL360 running SuSe or Ubuntu, while being a little easier to manage. So that's one practical function of it.

It's a great system for an SMB that doesn't want to deal with MS's licensing. I tinkered with OS X Server for centralized authentication, and it's very straight forward (not that Active Directory is complicated either).

For home use, I would say a Mini + Drobo is fine, provided your main datastore is the Drobo.

[kasei]

See what happens when the boss is out of the office.

[goedtv]

I am really glad Apple is coming out with new Xserves. But I am still really annoyed they haven't put a USB and Firewire port on the front. Come on Apple, I know you like the "clean" look but keep the functionality the same. It is unbelievable stupid to have a Firewire Port on some models and a USB port on others. If you want us to pay this much for a server, atleast make it easy to plug stuff in when one stops working.

[polaris20]

I am really glad Apple is coming out with new Xserves. But I am still really annoyed they haven't put a USB and Firewire port on the front. Come on Apple, I know you like the "clean" look but keep the functionality the same. It is unbelievable stupid to have a Firewire Port on some models and a USB port on others. If you want us to pay this much for a server, atleast make it easy to plug stuff in when one stops working.

What do you need FW on the front of a server for? Not being snotty, just curious. I can see the USB, and FW on the back for connecting to rackmount FW800 arrays, but not so much FW on the front. Maybe if you need to transfer the data off in a hurry?

[Erwin-Br]

http://www.emptyhouse.net/uploadedimages/xserve-fire2.jpg

We need a new Xserve rack as well!

[Boneoh]

http://www.emptyhouse.net/uploadedimages/xserve-fire2.jpg

We need a new Xserve rack as well!

I think I know where I can get a smokin' hot deal on some used servers :p

[thogs_cave]

What do you need FW on the front of a server for? Not being snotty, just curious. I can see the USB, and FW on the back for connecting to rackmount FW800 arrays, but not so much FW on the front. Maybe if you need to transfer the data off in a hurry?

It's useful for data transfer, also handy for cloning servers with CCC or SuperDuper.

[polaris20]

It's useful for data transfer, also handy for cloning servers with CCC or SuperDuper.

Hmmm, didn't think of Superduper. Interesting.

[Sehnsucht]

http://www.emptyhouse.net/uploadedimages/xserve-fire2.jpg

We need a new Xserve rack as well!

WTF?! :eek: Is there a story behind this image...something I missed? :D

[Sehnsucht]

Dell servers would be great if they would stop using Fujitsu drives. I've replaced more hard drives in Dell servers than anyone. Well maybe not anyone, but a lot!

Seagate all the way. :D

[polaris20]

Seagate all the way. :D

Unfortunately Dell loves to (or at least used to as recent as 2007) use Fujitsu SAS drives, which are horribly unreliable. As a consultant in Chicago I must have replaced over 20 in a 6 month period for various clients.

Seagate definitely is better!

[xparaparafreakx]

Am I the only one underwhelmed here? I mean no offense folks, so don't take this the wrong way ...

... Where exactly is the market for a rack mounted, Macintosh server today? Did the market share for server hardware suddenly shift to Apple (of all places)? We are talking about the same company who hasn't filled the hardware gap between iMac and Mac Pro or the gap between iMac and Mac Mini and yet lately, I keep reading about Xserve! Xserve! Xserve! ... blah blah blah Xserve! Xserve! Xserve! blah blah blah BBQ11!!1 ... :rolleyes:

No really, can someone please school me in the practical utility for Apple servers? In other words, what is it that makes XServe a viable alternative over hardware running Windows or Linux? Is there that great a corporate IT demand for these products? Who else besides the Apple IT dept is using Apple server hardware?

Meanwhile, on the home consumer side, if all I wanted was a file server, it seems to me a Mini + Drobo would be all I need, right?

:confused:

Open Directory Master for my labs of Macs.

I want my users to have their home folder anywhere they go in school. If they have a laptop, their home folder will sync to the server when they come back to campus.

Yes I can use a windows computer and will soon use it for Active Directory but I still want to enforce GPO on to my mac computer. I do not want students touching system preferences and etc.

You can learn a lot from a 20 year old IT Admin. Now only if someone can show me how to put AD and OD together.

[Erwin-Br]

WTF?! :eek: Is there a story behind this image...something I missed? :D

Yeah, Designwyse (an Australian company) had a massive fire at the end of July 2007, destroying their entire building. Their systems were completely destroyed, including the Xserve rack pictured. They actually have it on display now in their office:

http://www.designwyse.com.au/images/content/multi/BurntServer_250.gif

[vvebsta]

Hey is this a new picture...
http://joywire.com/Old%20Stuff/xserve.jpg
I don't know much about xserve, but this looks different than the normal image of it.

I found it on Apple's feedback page (http://www.apple.com/feedback/xserve.html).

[DoFoT9]

Hey is this a new picture...
http://joywire.com/Old%20Stuff/xserve.jpg
I don't know much about xserve, but this looks different than the normal image of it.

I found it on *link*.

looks like the older Xserve Storage thingos, maybe they are doing a complete overhaul?

[thogs_cave]

Seagate definitely is better!

I used to work for $BIG_COMPUTER_COMPANY who sourced high-end drives from all sources. Every one, including Seagate, had bad batches at times. We recalled many, many thousands of Seagate drives at one point. Also, IBM, etc. It happens across the board, which is why I'm rabid about mirrors and backups. :eek:

I worked for software companies, I don't trust software. I worked for hardware companies, I don't trust hardware. Some days, I'm amazed the bloody things work at all.... (Overall, I do have good luck with Macs, So far my Pro is as dead-nuts reliable as the G5 that preceded it. And, it's so fast, it should be criminal. :p

[Montserrat]

Apple store down - must be Tuesday...

[iOrlando]

Apple Updates Xserve with Twice the Performance
Tuesday, April 07, 2009 8:30:33 AM (GMT-04:00)
Provided by: PR Newswire
Features Next Generation Architecture and Intel 'Nehalem' Xeon Processors


CUPERTINO, Calif., April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) today announced an updated Xserve(R) that delivers up to twice the performance of the previous system.* Using Intel "Nehalem" Xeon processors and a next generation system architecture, the 1U rack-optimized Xserve delivers up to an 89 percent improvement in performance per watt.** Xserve is available with up to two 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors and industry-leading storage options that include a low-power solid state drive (SSD) and up to 3TB of internal storage. Starting at $2,999, Xserve includes an unlimited client license for Mac OS(R) X Server version 10.5 Leopard(R).

"The Xserve is the best workgroup server for our education, business and creative customers," said David Moody, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Mac Product Marketing. "With up to twice the performance, better power efficiency and an innovative SSD drive option, this is the best Xserve we've ever made."


The new Xserve includes Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 2.93 GHz, each with an integrated memory controller with three channels of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC memory that delivers up to 2.4 times the memory bandwidth while cutting memory latency up to 40 percent.*** Using high-efficiency power supplies and intelligent thermal management, Xserve delivers a 19 percent reduction in idle power use.

Xserve's industry-leading storage capabilities include a 128GB SSD boot-drive option that requires a fraction of the power of a hard disk and delivers up to 48 times faster random access times without occupying a drive bay. Xserve's three 3.5 inch drive bays support both 7200 rpm SATA and 15,000 rpm SAS drives and can be configured with up to 3TB of internal storage. Two PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slots provide massive I/O bandwidth to support the latest high-bandwidth expansion cards. The Xserve RAID card option now delivers improved performance up to 497MB/s**** and supports RAID levels 0, 1 and 5 with 512MB of cache without using a valuable PCI Express expansion slot. A 72-hour backup battery is included for enhanced data protection.


Every Xserve ships with an unlimited client edition of Leopard Server, offering support for Mac(R), Linux and Windows clients without the added cost of client-access licenses. Leopard Server extends Apple's legendary ease of use with Server Assistant and Server Preferences, which allow even nontechnical users to quickly manage users and groups on the server and easily set up key services. Leopard Server includes Podcast Producer, the ideal way to automatically publish podcasts to iTunes(R) or the web; Wiki Server, allowing people to collaboratively create and modify their shared websites with just a few clicks; and iCal(R) Server, the world's first commercial CalDAV standard-based calendar server. Leopard Server is fully UNIX compliant and LDAP and Active Directory support allows Xserve to fit right in to existing IT environments.

The new Xserve joins Apple's latest hardware products in setting new standards for environmentally friendly design. Xserve uses PVC-free internal cables and components, contains no brominated flame retardants and features a power supply with an average energy efficiency of 89 percent.


Pricing & Availability

The new Xserve is immediately available through the Apple Store(R) (www.apple.com) and Apple Authorized Resellers.


The Xserve standard configuration, with a suggested retail price of $2,999 (US), includes:

-- a single 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Xeon 5500 series processor with 8MB of fully

shared L3 cache;
-- 3GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC RAM;
-- a single 160GB 7200 rpm SATA Apple Drive Module;
-- dual Gigabit Ethernet on-board;
-- two PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slots;
-- Bonjour(R)-enabled Lights-Out Management processor and Server Monitor
Software;
-- internal graphics with Mini DisplayPort output;
-- two FireWire(R) 800 and three USB 2.0 ports; and
-- an unlimited client license for Mac OS X Server version 10.5 Leopard.




Build-to-order options and accessories for Xserve include: dual 2.26 GHz, 2.66 GHz or 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors; 160GB and 1TB 7200 rpm SATA Apple Drive Modules; 450GB 15,000 rpm SAS drives (third party option); internal Xserve RAID card; Gigabit Ethernet, 4Gb Fibre Channel cards and a 750W redundant power supply.


*Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using a preproduction 2.93 GHz 8-core Xserve (2 chips, 8 cores, 4 cores per chip, 2.93 GHz; SPECjbb2005 bops = 203,439, SPECjbb2005 bops/JVM = 50,860) and a shipping 3.0 GHz 8-core Xserve (2 chips, 8 cores, 4 cores per chip, 3.0 GHz; SPECjbb2005 bops = 103,387, SPECjbb2005 bops/JVM = 25,847). SPEC(R) and SPECjbb2005(R) are trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC); see www.spec.org for more information. Competitive benchmark results stated above reflect internal Apple testing and were submitted to SPEC in February 2009. For the latest SPECjbb2005 benchmark results, visit www.spec.org/osg/jbb2005. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Xserve.


**Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using a preproduction 2.93 GHz 8-core Xserve (SPECpower_ssj(TM)2008 result of 464 overall ssj_ops/watt; 173W at Active Idle; 227,974 ssj_ops and 334W at 100 percent target load) and a shipping 3.0GHz 8-core Xserve (SPECpower_ssj(TM)2008 result of 245 overall ssj_ops/watt; 213W at Active Idle; 141,739 ssj_ops and 353W at 100 percent target load). All units were configured for optimal memory performance (18GB for 2.93 GHz 8-core units and 16GB for 3.0 GHz 8-core units). SPEC(R) and the benchmark name SPECpower_ssj(TM) are trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC); see www.spec.org for more information. Competitive benchmark results stated here reflect internal Apple testing and were submitted to SPEC in March 2009. For the latest SPECpower_ssj2008 benchmark results, visit www.spec.org/power_ssj2008. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Xserve.


***Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using preproduction 2.93GHz 8-core Xserve units and shipping 3.0 GHz 8-core Xserve units. All units were configured for optimal memory performance (18GB for 8-core 2.93 GHz units, 12GB for 4-core 2.26 GHz units, and 16GB for 8-core 3.0 GHz units). Results are based on the STREAM v. 5.8 benchmark (http://www.cs.virginia.edu/stream/ref.html) using OMP support for multiprocessor-compiled builds. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Xserve. Memory latency data provided by Intel.


****Testing conducted by Apple in February 2009 using preproduction 2.93 GHz 8-core Xeon-based Xserve units configured with Xserve RAID Card. Testing conducted using Iometer 2006.07.27 with a 30-second ramp-up, five-minute run duration, 512KB request size, four outstanding IOs, and using non-OS-cached reads and writes. System configured with the operating system on Xserve SSD drive. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Xserve RAID Card. Drive average read latency data from manufacturer's published data sheets.


Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.


(C) 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Xserve, Leopard, iTunes, iCal, Apple Store, Bonjour and FireWire are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

[DoFoT9]

excellent :) if only i could afford a few hmmm

[polaris20]

I used to work for $BIG_COMPUTER_COMPANY who sourced high-end drives from all sources. Every one, including Seagate, had bad batches at times. We recalled many, many thousands of Seagate drives at one point. Also, IBM, etc. It happens across the board, which is why I'm rabid about mirrors and backups. :eek:

I worked for software companies, I don't trust software. I worked for hardware companies, I don't trust hardware. Some days, I'm amazed the bloody things work at all.... (Overall, I do have good luck with Macs, So far my Pro is as dead-nuts reliable as the G5 that preceded it. And, it's so fast, it should be criminal. :p

I worked as a consultant. I don't trust the hardware or software companies. And of course there will be bad batches with all companies. All I can tell you is that I will never touch a Fujitsu drive.

[Santabean2000]

Apple Updates Xserve with Twice the Performance
Tuesday, April 07, 2009 8:30:33 AM (GMT-04:00)
Provided by: PR Newswire
Features Next Generation Architecture and Intel 'Nehalem' Xeon Processors


CUPERTINO, Calif., April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) today announced an updated Xserve(R) that delivers up to twice the performance of the previous system.* Using Intel "Nehalem" Xeon processors and a next generation system architecture, the 1U rack-optimized Xserve delivers up to an 89 percent improvement in performance per watt.** Xserve is available with up to two 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors and industry-leading storage options that include a low-power solid state drive (SSD) and up to 3TB of internal storage. Starting at $2,999, Xserve includes an unlimited client license for Mac OS(R) X Server version 10.5 Leopard(R).

The Xserve standard configuration, with a suggested retail price of $2,999 (US), includes:

-- a single 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Xeon 5500 series processor with 8MB of fully

shared L3 cache;
-- 3GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC RAM;
-- a single 160GB 7200 rpm SATA Apple Drive Module;
-- dual Gigabit Ethernet on-board;
-- two PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slots;
-- Bonjour(R)-enabled Lights-Out Management processor and Server Monitor
Software;
-- internal graphics with Mini DisplayPort output;
-- two FireWire(R) 800 and three USB 2.0 ports; and
-- an unlimited client license for Mac OS X Server version 10.5 Leopard.


Build-to-order options and accessories for Xserve include: dual 2.26 GHz, 2.66 GHz or 2.93 GHz Intel Xeon processors; 160GB and 1TB 7200 rpm SATA Apple Drive Modules; 450GB 15,000 rpm SAS drives (third party option); internal Xserve RAID card; Gigabit Ethernet, 4Gb Fibre Channel cards and a 750W redundant power supply.

What config. would be the 'ideal' set-up for a school network with approx 2500 computers?