Resolved Need ideas for a PPC Mac server!

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

I guess this attempt may be out of boredom and would just be another running system... However, I want to play around with server ideas for an old Mac. I am thinking about using an old PowerMac or old iMac. (maybe even an iBook!) I want to make a file back-up server or just some hub where I can know that all my things are there and transfer any items I want from it, to my several computers I own or any future computers. We have a Time Machine back-up system already, but I kind of wanted my own private server for not only back-up but a digital library for all my things. Is this a good idea for a server? What is a useful server idea that you can think of? I know everyone has different needs, but I want to come up with extra ideas. On top of this, what is the best software to use? Now, know that I may NOT be using a Mac that runs/is capable of running Leopard. So know that I may not even have Time Machine to work with. Besides file sharing for quickly accessing information from the server, I wanted to know the best software to use for scheduled back-ups, for OLD PowerPC computers that cannot support Time Machine. I need a first or third party solution... If I do end up using a Leopard Mac, then I know how to set it up for Time Machine. I also want to pick certain times a day the computer will run and do back-ups. I do NOT want this computer to be on all the time. However, in the event that I make it a digital library and not necessarily do back-ups, I want to know if I can possibly make it so I can wake the computer up when I want to access it for items. Another thing: How will this coincide with other computers that are running a newer OS than the server is? For example, will it be too much of a hassle to have a Tiger server that serves the needs of Leopard computers?

Thanks,

 

[cfedu]

Wow!

 

[Altemose]

I guess this attempt may be out of boredom and would just be another running system... However, I want to play around with server ideas for an old Mac. I am thinking about using an old PowerMac or old iMac. (maybe even an iBook!) I want to make a file back-up server or just some hub where I can know that all my things are there and transfer any items I want from it, to my several computers I own or any future computers. We have a Time Machine back-up system already, but I kind of wanted my own private server for not only back-up but a digital library for all my things. Is this a good idea for a server? What is a useful server idea that you can think of? I know everyone has different needs, but I want to come up with extra ideas. On top of this, what is the best software to use? Now, know that I may NOT be using a Mac that runs/is capable of running Leopard. So know that I may not even have Time Machine to work with. Besides file sharing for quickly accessing information from the server, I wanted to know the best software to use for scheduled back-ups, for OLD PowerPC computers that cannot support Time Machine. I need a first or third party solution... If I do end up using a Leopard Mac, then I know how to set it up for Time Machine. I also want to pick certain times a day the computer will run and do back-ups. I do NOT want this computer to be on all the time. However, in the event that I make it a digital library and not necessarily do back-ups, I want to know if I can possibly make it so I can wake the computer up when I want to access it for items. Another thing: How will this coincide with other computers that are running a newer OS than the server is? For example, will it be too much of a hassle to have a Tiger server that serves the needs of Leopard computers?

Thanks,

Seems like quite a broad topic! The first question is whether you really need this server? PowerMacs make great servers but you are at the reliability of their legacy parts. For backing up your files, you can look at using the rsync command in a script or use a program like Carbon Copy Cloner. There is a copy for PPC Macs, but the latest version will not run.

The actual file sharing protocols are the same so you should not have any issues going from Tiger as the server to Leopard. If this is Apple to Apple I would mainly do file sharing over AFP. Gavin Stubbs will be able to help more here as he works with OS X server more than I do.

 

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

Seems like quite a broad topic! The first question is whether you really need this server? PowerMacs make great servers but you are at the reliability of their legacy parts. For backing up your files, you can look at using the rsync command in a script or use a program like Carbon Copy Cloner. There is a copy for PPC Macs, but the latest version will not run.

The actual file sharing protocols are the same so you should not have any issues going from Tiger as the server to Leopard. If this is Apple to Apple I would mainly do file sharing over AFP. Gavin Stubbs will be able to help more here as he works with OS X server more than I do.

It is quite a broad topic... I just had this sudden idea to play around with a server. I guess it is very straight-forward. I am familiar with CCC, yet I haven't used its repeat back-up service and just thought of that recently. Most likely I will end up not doing this so as to not waste power... It just seems fun to have your own server, yet there isn't much I can serve!

 

[Altemose]

It is quite a broad topic... I just had this sudden idea to play around with a server. I guess it is very straight-forward. I am familiar with CCC, yet I haven't used its repeat back-up service and just thought of that recently. Most likely I will end up not doing this so as to not waste power... It just seems fun to have your own server, yet there isn't much I can serve!

If all you want is basic file sharing it may be cheaper and easier just to run a USB hard drive off your router. Some routers like AirPorts support accounts for the true feel of a NAS.

 

[robertdsc]

I have an MDD dual 1.25 as my backup server. After removing the SuperDrive, I installed six 500 GB IDE drives into all of the available IDE spaces. I have almost all of my saved data inside. As a bonus, I have an Apple Studio Display and Pro Speakers attached. It's a great thing to turn on and play movies from as I work on my other Macs on my workbench.

This Mac runs Tiger and could even take place as a main machine if I needed it.

That said, there is the wind tunnel noise to deal with, but so far, the Dual 1.25 does its job well.

 

[gavinstubbs09]

My iMac is my storage server. I have file sharing enabled and it's a simple process to connect from any other machine and works out decently. I don't use CCC at home as there is little to no benefit for me. At the school lab I manage the server is backed up every night using CCC.

Anywho, if you have a Tiger machine with AFP sharing enabled that should work out well enough for what you need. Possibly hunt down the latest version of CCC for PPC and back up to that afp share.

 

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

My iMac is my storage server. I have file sharing enabled and it's a simple process to connect from any other machine and works out decently. I don't use CCC at home as there is little to no benefit for me. At the school lab I manage the server is backed up every night using CCC.

Anywho, if you have a Tiger machine with AFP sharing enabled that should work out well enough for what you need. Possibly hunt down the latest version of CCC for PPC and back up to that afp share.

Hey Gavin,

Yeah, I figured CCC would be good. I want to label this thread as 'Resolved' but cannot find the feature... I kind of wanted to do this for fun and to have my own private back-up instead of the drive that is shared by two other computer users in my household, but I find that it isn't really needed. For applications I can enable file sharing, and I will just use our shared server for back-ups.

(P.S. Not sure if you saw my e-mail, but I don't use my phone much. I could give you my AIM if you use iChat. Note that the one you see under my name tag is my public account which I do not really use).

 

[Altemose]

Hey Gavin,

Yeah, I figured CCC would be good. I want to label this thread as 'Resolved' but cannot find the feature... I kind of wanted to do this for fun and to have my own private back-up instead of the drive that is shared by two other computer users in my household, but I find that it isn't really needed. For applications I can enable file sharing, and I will just use our shared server for back-ups.

(P.S. Not sure if you saw my e-mail, but I don't use my phone much. I could give you my AIM if you use iChat. Note that the one you see under my name tag is my public account which I do not really use).

What router do you have? I know that with the AirPort Extreme I have when set to account mode, it supports a separate user folder you can put on the drive that only you can access. I am not sure if that is what you want, but it certainly works fine for me. At home I use my networked USB drive for Time Machine and some basic file storage and at school I keep copies of programs normally used on machines that are on the wireless network.

 

[CYB3RBYTE]

What I have seen to be really successful as far as PPC servers go is to get a MacMini G4, upgrade the internals, and use external drives daisy-chained through FireWire. It would be much faster data wise, since FireWire has a much higher theoretical data speed than USB 2. Plus, it wouldn't really take up much space if that is a concern for you.

The other route to go would be to get a used Xserve G4 or G5 and use that, since it is built to be a dedicated server and you can easily swap out drives.

 

[weckart]

Don't forget earplugs to go with that Xserve.

 

[poiihy]

It is quite a broad topic... I just had this sudden idea to play around with a server. I guess it is very straight-forward. I am familiar with CCC, yet I haven't used its repeat back-up service and just thought of that recently. Most likely I will end up not doing this so as to not waste power... It just seems fun to have your own server, yet there isn't much I can serve!

You can always host a minecraft server.
Those are fun to run.

----------

Hey Gavin,

Yeah, I figured CCC would be good. I want to label this thread as 'Resolved' but cannot find the feature... I kind of wanted to do this for fun and to have my own private back-up instead of the drive that is shared by two other computer users in my household, but I find that it isn't really needed. For applications I can enable file sharing, and I will just use our shared server for back-ups.

(P.S. Not sure if you saw my e-mail, but I don't use my phone much. I could give you my AIM if you use iChat. Note that the one you see under my name tag is my public account which I do not really use).

To mark as resolved, click edit post, click advanced editor, and edit prefix behind title.

 

[Altemose]

You can always host a minecraft server.
Those are fun to run.

I believe you would only be able to run 1.5.2 as a Minecraft server. Furthermore, Mojang discontinued support for the old launcher to connect to Minecraft.net so I don't think it would work at all.

 

[MultiFinder17]

I use a G4 mini as my home server; it's a central fileserver for all my machines, I use it for Time Machine backups, I keep (legitimate) torrents going on it, and it's used as a media server for my Apple TV. Mine is on 24/7 and serves its purpose wonderfully, quietly cranking away on the corner of my desk.

 

[poiihy]

I believe you would only be able to run 1.5.2 as a Minecraft server. Furthermore, Mojang discontinued support for the old launcher to connect to Minecraft.net so I don't think it would work at all.

You can use Ubuntu
And you don't need launcher to run a server, launcher is only for client.

 

[Altemose]

You can use Ubuntu
And you don't need launcher to run a server, launcher is only for client.

I mean that computers running the older 1.5.2 version of Minecraft cannot connect to Minecraft.net and therefore cannot connect to servers.

 

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

What router do you have? I know that with the AirPort Extreme I have when set to account mode, it supports a separate user folder you can put on the drive that only you can access. I am not sure if that is what you want, but it certainly works fine for me. At home I use my networked USB drive for Time Machine and some basic file storage and at school I keep copies of programs normally used on machines that are on the wireless network.

Interesting... Maybe I could do something like that if I need to. This server thing isn't too necessary. We do have Airport routers. I actually have an Extreme right next to me.

 

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

What I have seen to be really successful as far as PPC servers go is to get a MacMini G4, upgrade the internals, and use external drives daisy-chained through FireWire. It would be much faster data wise, since FireWire has a much higher theoretical data speed than USB 2. Plus, it wouldn't really take up much space if that is a concern for you.

The other route to go would be to get a used Xserve G4 or G5 and use that, since it is built to be a dedicated server and you can easily swap out drives.

I wish I had something important to run xD. It would be so cool to have a server computer doing something. I have found that what I want to do isn't so necessary. I kinda want a G4 Mac Mini, but they are still $50 at the least.

 

[Altemose]

Interesting... Maybe I could do something like that if I need to. This server thing isn't too necessary. We do have Airport routers. I actually have an Extreme right next to me.

It works really well... What generation Extreme is it?

 

[Smeaton1724]

I use my repurposed iBook G4 1 Ghz, 1.25GB RAM, with a 2TB USB 3.0 drive (getting USB2.0 speeds) running 10.4 and iTunes. Connected through ethernet to the router.

It acts as a dumb server to x2 iphone 5's, x2 ipad 4's and x2 Apple TV 3's. Worked a treat for the last 9 months! - Plugged in 24/7!

Rips are 1080p and music is 320kbps.

It won't play the video, it almost kills it (!), but it will connect to all of the above, infact the time is around 9 seconds to start streaming a 1080p rip to the Apple TV's.

 

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

It works really well... What generation Extreme is it?

It is a 2005 Airport Extreme.

 

[Altemose]

It is a 2005 Airport Extreme.

UFO Style then? Wow...

 

[PowerMac G4 MDD]

UFO Style then? Wow...

Yeah, UFO style. However, this is just an old one that we used to use, which was handed down to me. We now have Express systems and one of the brand new Airport base stations. According to my dad, we set up our first wireless network in 2003. (although not with Macs). We still have old Belkin wireless cards xD. My family did not have Macs at the time, although my dad had used them prior. (such as in 1992).

 

[Altemose]

Yeah, UFO style. However, this is just an old one that we used to use, which was handed down to me. We now have Express systems and one of the brand new Airport base stations. According to my dad, we set up our first wireless network in 2003. (although not with Macs). We still have old Belkin wireless cards xD. My family did not have Macs at the time, although my dad had used them prior. (such as in 1992).

Those are really fun to get working in a WDS.