Mac OS X Server 1.x: Operating System FAQ

Questions answered in this article:

1. What is the foundation for Mac OS X Server?
2. Is Mac OS X Server based on UNIX?
3. Does Mac OS X Server use a command line interface?
4. Does configuring Mac OS X Server require editing configuration files?
5. Does Mac OS X Server support remote administration?

Question 1: What is the foundation for Mac OS X Server?

Answer: Mac OS X Server is based on a Mach microkernel that roughly corresponds to Mach 2.5. This microkernel is integrated with an implementation of BSD 4.4 to provide a full UNIX-style operating environment.

Question 2: Is Mac OS X Server based on UNIX?

Answer: Mac OS X Server is built on UNIX technologies, implementing most of the POSIX APIs, which makes it easy to port UNIX applications, particularly those from a BSD heritage. The main exception is applications with a graphical user interface, because Mac OS X Server doesn't include the X Window System UI toolkits. Mac OS X Server is built around a graphical interface, unlike traditional UNIX systems that rely on the command line. However, Mac OS X Server cannot be called a UNIX operating system, as it does not fully comply with the POSIX and X/OPEN specifications required for use of the UNIX trademark.

Question 3: Does Mac OS X Server use a command line interface?

Answer: The primary interface is a Mac-like user interface, allowing administration with graphical tools. For administrators who prefer the command line interface or make use of Telnet/rlogin for remote administration, a Terminal application and several UNIX shells are included, as well as standard tools such as NFS, FTP, Perl, Tcl, and Emacs.

Question 4: Does configuring Mac OS X Server require editing configuration files?

Answer: No. Mac OS X Server provides a friendly Setup Assistant and a rich set of graphical administration tools. Editing configuration files is not required for basic use of any of the core ser vices. However, certain UNIX-derived services such as Apache use their existing configuration files for advanced administration.

Question 5: Does Mac OS X Server support remote administration?

Answer: Yes. There are currently several options, each suited to different purposes. Users, groups, and mountable volumes can be managed via a web-based remote-administration tool, similar to the one in AppleShare IP Configuration information can also be managed from another Mac OS X Server system via NetInfo, the built-in Network Directory Service. In addition, UNIX-savvy system administrators can enable Telnet for command line-based remote administration.