'Retiring' Mac Pro 5,1 to home server use. Linux or MacOS?

[dontpokebearz]

I've finally made the jump to a 14" MacBook Pro for daily use. This leaves me with a still functional 4,1 Mac Pro (5,1) that I'd like to use as a server.

My default was to just reinstall Monterey using OpenCore on a primary SSD and run Plex as well as NAS off of it. At the moment, I don't have anything else I'd really like to do.

Is there any good reason to jump to Linux on the machine and use something like OpenMediaVault? Are their benefits of using macOS that I wouldn't get for these purposes? Is anyone else in a similar scenario that has some experience?

 

[sevoneone]

I think it kind of depends on your use cases… I’d personally lean toward MacOS for no reason other than Caching Server if you have multiple Apple devices and utilize iCloud Drive/Photo Sync. It’s a hidden little gem that can save you a lot of bandwidth/time. It’s easy to install homebrew, docker or a VM if you have that need too.

Downside is that running MacOS may not be viable on that hardware sooner than later. Apple will not provide security updates for Monterey forever. Though in the couple years that will take something like a used M1 Mac mini will probably be a pretty cheap replacement option.

 

[dontpokebearz]

I think it kind of depends on your use cases… I’d personally lean toward MacOS for no reason other than Caching Server if you have multiple Apple devices and utilize iCloud Drive/Photo Sync. It’s a hidden little gem that can save you a lot of bandwidth/time. It’s easy to install homebrew, docker or a VM if you have that need too.

Downside is that running MacOS may not be viable on that hardware sooner than later. Apple will not provide security updates for Monterey forever. Though in the couple years that will take something like a used M1 Mac mini will probably be a pretty cheap replacement option.

Oh wow, I didn’t know that Content Caching existed in macOS. That’s definitely a useful feature. I might buy a separate disk to use for content caching.

If I’m running Monterey now I should have at least two more years of support. At that point if it’s not viable I’ll switch to a M1 Mac Mini. I can’t expect the 5,1 to be useful forever.

 

[dimme]

I have tried both and I prefer MacOS for the better integration with my other MacOS and iOS devices. I do have a smaller Linux server running as a backup/learning platform. The Linux server is a fun experimental platform.

 

[dontpokebearz]

I have tried both and I prefer MacOS for the better integration with my other MacOS and iOS devices. I do have a smaller Linux server running as a backup/learning platform. The Linux server is a fun experimental platform.

Part of the thought for linux was to learn. But I can do that in a VM at any time.

MacOS lets me easily connect to the system from Finder and I'll use it as an iTunes server.

 

[arw]

Just something to keep in mind:
My dual CPU 5,1 consumes ~130 W in idle without any additional HDDs.
Running it 24/7 would add over 350 € per year to my electricity bill. YMMV.
Quite brutal, when my cheap DIY server (Intel Pentium, 16 GB RAM) with Docker and Plex uses <10 W.