How To Make a Cheap Mac-based Home Server

Hey guys, yesterday I got a "Sawtooth" AGP Graphics PowerMac G4. I'm using it as a File Server/iTunes Streaming Box to share media to all my Macs. It's my first Server that I've set up for home use, but I do things of this nature at Work (Computer Administrator at a ISD) all the time. After spending a few hours getting everything just right, I decided that making a PDF of how exactly to make a Macintosh-based HomeServer could save some people some time, money and worries if they've been looking into the subject. I'd even say it'd be a fun Father-Son bonding thing to do, if you two are geeks.

To follow my guide, all you need is:
-G4-based (or newer) Mac that has networking capabilities (Ethernet and/or AirPort).
-LAN (Local Area Network, you must have one if you're browsing the Internet on a computer )
-A little time (maybe a weekend, unless you order some things and have to wait for them to arrive )

I plan on adding pictures, and maybe a little more details (about iTunes library set-ups) to the PDF in the near future. Right now it's 4:49AM where I am though, so I'm dead tired. I've been working on this since about midnight.


Good luck you all! If anyone needs help, just send me a PM or reply to this post.

-Trying to help the community.
Alex

@FarmerMac

To answer @FarmerMac's question about iTunes on multiple machines:

Many people have the issue of their iTunes libraries being out of sync, or they just hate having multiple libraries. The easiest solution is to copy your iTunes Media folder onto a Shared Hard Drive/Location on your dedicated Server.

Before deleting ANYTHING from your personal Mac you must ensure that everything you copied made it over to the Server correctly (wouldn't wanna lose songs, eh?).

You can check by right-clicking your copied iTunes Media Folder (on the Server) and clicking 'Get Info' and looking at 'Size' inside the window, then right-clicking your local (on your personal Mac) iTunes Media Folder, clicking 'Get Info', then look at 'Size'.

If the sizes match, your iTunes Media Folder copied to the Server correctly and you can delete your iTunes library from your computer, then set-up iTunes to read off of the iTunes Library on your Mounted Server by following these steps:

Open iTunes, Open iTunes preferences, click the gear-like icon that says 'Advanced' and tell iTunes the location of the iTunes Library Folder is wherever you placed it on the server.

For instance, if I uploaded my iTunes Folder to 'Macintosh Data HD 1' on my Server, I would mount my Server (if it isn't mounted already) by Opening Safari and typing afp://xxx.xxx.x.x (the Server IP) and putting in the correct credentials.

Then in iTunes I'd tell iTunes (by going under the Shared tab) where the Library folder is by clicking the correct Networked Drive, then click the iTunes Media Folder. iTunes will refresh, and you will have all of the Music you had before just not locally on your machine(s).

Sorry if those steps are choppy, I'm at work. Hopefully that'll help with iTunes woes.
Repeat the process with all your other Macs you wish to have synced.

Thanks for the feedback @R0k

Does anyone know where I can buy a legitimate copy of Mac OS Leopard? One of the reasons my guide wasn't based on Leopard was because when I bought my first Mac Snow Leopard was the 'up-to-date' OS release. I don't have a Leopard install disc (and really haven't looked for anywhere to buy it, I've only had my Sawtooth for 2 days )