Mavericks Server

Mavericks Server is Apple's latest evolution of OS X Server.  OS X Server is a collection of core networking services, collaboration tools, and groupware products targeted at businesses of all sizes.  OS X Server remains a Swiss Army Knife, allowing a creative system administrator to achieve nearly anything imaginable.


Mavericks Server – Control and Collaboration builds on the success and popularity of Mavericks Server – Foundation Services.  With the core services built it is time to construct Mavericks Server into a indispensable tool for your business.  Topics include:

• Using Profile Manager for both device management as well as participating in Apple's Volume Purchasing Program.

• Creating and maintaining users and groups.  This includes Active Directory integration and mass importing of accounts using import records.

• Setting up and using File Services.

• Analysis of POSIX and ACL permissions as well as implementing Server Access Controls (SACLs).

• Setting up and using Mavericks VPN server as well as topics regarding alternative VPN solutions.

• Best practice recommendations on each of the topics above.

• Examples that are based on actual customer deployments.


These services and configuration topics provide the core function of all Mavericks Server deployments.  Understanding your users and groups leads to understanding access to your server.  Controlling access and centralizing your management allows rapid administrator of your fleet, ensuring that you are ready to react as the demands of your business and workflow change.  Beyond the foundation services, users, groups, and passwords form the next layer of system administration.


The book also embraces a new method of publication.  Through Apple's iBooks distribution, this book will evolve as Apple updates Mavericks Server.  Buyers of the book can expect a consistent stream of updates throughout the life of Mavericks Server.  The goal of the book, and series, is to release a new version to match each version of Mavericks and Server.app.  This is an evolving book, staying current as the subject matter evolves.  Readers of Mavericks Server – Foundation Services have enjoyed five updates, one for each OS or Server.app update.  This book will also continue to receive updates through the release of Yosemite.


Author Reid Bundonis is a seasoned Apple field consultant.  Possessing the now extinct Apple Certified Systems Administrator (ACSA) and Xsan certifications, Reid is the architect of some incredible deployments of Apple products.  Remaining active in the field, Reid is currently splitting his time between a Fortune 100 retailer, an insurance giant, and many small yet creative organizations generating amazing products with their Macs.  Mavericks Server remains the central power source of many of these successful organizations.


OS X Server is an amazingly powerful product.  This book will help administrators unlock the power to craft truly amazing solutions.


Chapters included in Mavericks Server – Control and Collaboration version 1.0 include:

Profile Manager

Users & Groups

File Sharing

Permissions

Putting It All Together (added in version 1.1)

VPN


There will be more to come before the release of Yosemite.