Using Mac OS X Lion Server

Conclusion

Installing OS X Server involves more preflight configuration than actual work. However, installing anything from the App Store depends on a zippy network connection in order to be done quickly. If you follow the steps laid out in this chapter, including the hostname and SSL preparation and postflight steps, then you should be in great shape.

Open Directory is an important aspect of OS X Server for many environments. As you now know, creating users and groups is a simple process, whether using the Server application or Workgroup Manager. The process is also basically the same whether you are using Open Directory or local accounts. The Managed Preferences offer an additional layer of features that help to automate the setup and configuration of systems as well as limit what users can do if you wish to do so.

Now that we’ve covered getting the server configured for the basic requirements to run services, we’ll move on to configuring the #1 feature most people want in a server: the file server. And the last step in any installation should be to configure backups, which is also covered in Chapter 3 (even if you won’t be using the server as a file server).