What server for what role?

[clwolf]

I currently have 1 Dual G5 2.0 GHz xServe running 10.4.11 for 37 managed macs, 4 windows boxes, and 57 email accounts. All mac users have network homes. I am buying a new 2.8 quad core xServe w/ 10.5 on it. I was wondering what you all thought should go on where? I mainly bought it to seperate mail from network homes. Do you recommend mail on the intel xServe, or putting authentication/dns/dhcp/afp on it? I could go with any combo there as well. The network homes and mail are located on an xserve raid via fiber.

If needed I can also put the G5 xServe on 10.5 as well.

Thanks.

[premiermac]

Put AFP at a minimum on the Intel XServe. You could really just migrate the whole thing over, as the new Xserve is a lot faster than the old one. Setup the old one as a replica, backup DNS etc.

[clwolf]

Wow, i was thinking the opposite. I really needed Leopard for the new mail features, so I was just going to put mail only on the intel.

So, mail on the G5 and AFP/network homes on the intel?

Either way both backup DNS and Open Directory replica will be the case.

[premiermac]

AFP is almost always the service that taxes the server the most. The small number of email accounts that you have aren’t doing much. Also, don’t feel like you have to load 10.5 if you don’t want to. 10.4 works fine on the new Intel servers, though you have to start with 10.4.10 Server or higher.

[clwolf]

Ahh, let me rephrase.

I need the new mail server features of 10.5 Server. That is why I was moving mail to the intel server.

But, I think you are right. I will move AFP to the new server.

I always forget. Is 10.4.11 universal? Meaning can I clone the drive and have it work in the intel server?

Thanks much for your help premiermac.

[premiermac]

10.4.10+ will boot a new Intel Xserve. Not sure if it’ll work from 10.4.7 that’s been upgraded, or if you have to start from 10.4.10. I’ve started from 10.4.10.

What new mail features in Leopard were you looking for?

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