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Old Mac Pro G4

T

TheOuch

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 31, 2009
6
1
I have an old 2x 1Ghz G4 Mac Pro. I'd like to set it up as a server, if that is even worth the time :)

But, before I do that, I have a couple of questions:

1) Would it be superior in any way to my linux box running netatalk?
2) Would it allow me to do networked Time Machine backups?
3) Can I do it with my family pack of Lepoard or Tiger?

Thanks in advance,

-Dave
 
TheOuch said:
I have an old 2x 1Ghz G4 Mac Pro. I'd like to set it up as a server, if that is even worth the time :)

But, before I do that, I have a couple of questions:

1) Would it be superior in any way to my linux box running netatalk?
Click to expand...

Depends on the stats of your Linux box and how much space you need. Not to mention how loud the G4 is.

TheOuch said:
2) Would it allow me to do networked Time Machine backups?
Click to expand...

Yes. Though your linux box might not. Worth a try tho.
TheOuch said:
3) Can I do it with my family pack of Lepoard or Tiger?
Click to expand...

'Course. ..unless you need the high-end functions of MacOSX Server. Which it doesn't sound like you do.
 
1. Superior in the way that it's low maintenance and easy to set up.
2. Yes
3. Yes, Leopard will probably make it easier for Time machine back ups.

By the way G4 desktop tower is called PowerMac.
 
I'm running a G4 MDD as a home server/backup. It works great for my needs. I use Leopard so I can run it headless with screen sharing. It was a fun little project and meets our needs.
 
BTW you can get Time Machine to work on 10.4 but it's a bit more effort.

mscriv said:
I'm running a G4 MDD as a home server/backup. It works great for my needs. I use Leopard so I can run it headless with screen sharing. It was a fun little project and meets our needs.
Click to expand...

10.4 also has remote desktop client integrated.

Yeah I also have a MDD. Dual 867. Runs 24/7. Has 6 harddrives (with SATA card, removed optical drive).
 
I have an old Quicksilver G4 I use with Leopard as my server. It's not quite headless. but is used as such..
 
Consultant said:
10.4 also has remote desktop client integrated. Yeah I also have a MDD. Dual 867. Runs 24/7. Has 6 harddrives (with SATA card, removed optical drive).
Click to expand...

Sounds like we have very similar set ups. I put two SATA cards in mine and it has 5 total HD's in it. Four SATA 1TB drives for storage and a 20GB PATA drive used for OSX with a slim down version of Leopard installed. I prefer Leopard because screen sharing is integrated and much easier to use than the remote desktop client in previous versions. We don't run ours 24/7 just to save on power.
 
I have NOT been able to get linux working as a Time Machine backup. I have gotten close, but, I always fail.

I really want to get my Wife's MBA backed up.

Time machine, alone, would be a good enough reason for me to set it up. So -- Looks like it's time to do a fresh leopard install, and share some drive space!
 
I have a quicksilver running tiger for my media sever. Works awesome.

Why do you think you need OS X Server? I tried OS X Server on it and it was way above my head. To many options.
 
knewsom said:
Sell the G4. Buy a USB hard drive. Plug it into your airport express.

voila.
Click to expand...


You mean, sell the g4, buy an airport express, even though I have several networked commercial grade access points all on one ssid, buy a usb hard disk, and lose a ton of performance going wireless, all when I have a gigabit network between all my computers?

Somehow, I don't think this is the best choice. :)
 
knewsom said:
Then buy a NAS. The energy savings alone will be worth the cost.
Click to expand...

I'd love a NAS!

Do they make one that works with Time Machine? I have an existing linux server, so, I save the most money by simply adding space to that. But, I can't do Time Machine backups to it.

I was hoping to use the G4, get all of my network storage there, in a nice Raid format, and do Time machine. If it is possible.

If it is not possible, then I'll kill the pipe dream, and sell the G4.
 
It certainly IS possible, it's just large, energy-hungry and loud. I'm fairly certain that if you buy a NAS that will also mount as a USB drive, and you format it as a Mac drive, and THEN put it on your network, you'll be able to use it with Time Machine.
 
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