Leopard Server

In addition to discussing several new features for the consumer edition of Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), Apple has disclosed some new functionality for Mac OS X 10.5 Server, also scheduled to ship in October. Among them: a wiki server; Podcast Producer; Spotlight (find content stored on other servers); and a new iCal Server, based on the CalDAV open standard. Leopard Server can also automatically configure Leopard clients for use on the server, including file sharing, Mail, iCal, iChat, Address Book and VPN settings. There is also a built-in Network Health Check, a new Server Preferences application and a server status Dashboard widget.

The new iCal Server can interface iCal 3 in Leopard, Mozilla’s Sunbird and OSAF's Chandler. Spotlight Server delivers search results of content stored on mounted network volumes. Content indexing is done automatically and transparently on the server

Core services also see an update in Mac OS X 10.5 Server. Apache 2, MySQL 5, Postfix, Cyrus, Podcast Producer and QuickTime Streaming Server will be 64-bit.

Other new features include Server Admin 4 with new file sharing and permission controls; iChat Server 2 to securely communicate over instant messaging; External Accounts to enable Leopard users to store their home directory on an external FireWire or USB portable drive; a new System Imaging Utility that uses a workflow-based editor to create customized images that can include Boot Camp partitions; Xgrid 2 for ad hoc distributed computing in environments without dedicated controllers, and QuickTime Streaming Server 6 with support for 3GPP Release 6 bit rate adaptation.

"Only Apple can deliver an advanced server operating system packed with over 250 new features on the same day as our client OS," said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "With no client access licenses, Leopard Server is the most affordable way to bring innovative server features, such as group calendaring and a wiki server, to everyone from small businesses to large educational institutions."

Mac OS X 10.5 Server will carry a price of $500 for a 10-client edition and $1000 for an unlimited-client edition.

by MacNN Staff