using a mac mini as a server for a buiness

#USING A MAC MINI AS A SERVER FOR A BUINESS UPDATE#
#USING A MAC MINI AS A SERVER FOR A BUINESS UPGRADE#

In this implementation we will leverage this Mac Mini Server as a Time Machine backup using an external 1tb hard drive since the SSD in our machine is only 500GB. Another way to leverage the Time Machine is to restore an entire OS if needed. What’s a Time Machine backup? It saves all of your Mac’s settings and files to a single location on the network or physical disk enabling single/multiple file and folder restores right from your Mac’s desktop. This process will work via WiFi but is more reliable when used with a wired connection. Ideally your Mac will be connected to your home network via Ethernet or a wired connection.

Additionally definitions of all of the items listed in the caching screen can be defined here. What types of files are cached? File types cached are explained here on Apple’s site. Here’s a link to the Apple site with an overview of how caching works.

#USING A MAC MINI AS A SERVER FOR A BUINESS UPDATE#

What is content caching? Good question- every time you iPhone or Mac computer downloads updates or new apps the server will cache them meaning that if you have multiple Apple devices on your home network that update only downloads once from the internet, saving bandwidth and enabling faster distribution of those updates to connected devices.

Serve as a TimeMachine backup disk on the local network for two Apple computers.

Serve as a content cache for all of our Mac devices including phones and computers (six iPhones, three Apple computers, three iPads, and two Apple TVs).

#USING A MAC MINI AS A SERVER FOR A BUINESS UPGRADE#

The SSD isn’t necessary, but the ram upgrade would be a must- I’d say 4gb would be the minimum amount to run High Sierra, 2gb causes the system to use swap space which on a spinning HDD causes some really sever slowdowns. However many may have an older Mini laying around collecting dust. A real beast! I upgraded the ram to 8gb and installed a 500gb SSD I had laying around.

The machine I ended up purchasing was a Mid-2010 Mac Mini with a Core 2 Duo processor and 320gb harddrive and 2gb of ram. Well this one comes from the longing to have a little Mac Mini on the network, maybe something I could VNC into and iMessage from my Windows Desktop, something on the network to serve as a local Time Machine host and content cache. I’ll admit, I’ve got a bad habit of buying stuff I don’t need… starting projects on a whim etc.

Using a mac mini as a server for a buiness