EntROOMpreneur Mac OS

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Entroompreneur mac os download
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In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, choose Devices macOS macOS enrollment Enrollment Program Tokens Add. Grant permission to Microsoft to send user and device information to Apple by selecting I agree. Choose Download your public key to download and save the encryption key (.pem) file locally. Although Mac integrates seamlessly into most standard enterprise IT environments, it's still important to assess your existing infrastructure to make sure your organization takes full advantage of everything that macOS.

Important

Apple recently changed from using the Apple Device Enrollment Program (DEP) to Apple Automated Device Enrollment (ADE). Intune is in the process of updating the Intune user interface to reflect that. Until such changes are complete, you'll continue to see Device Enrollment Program in the Intune portal. Wherever that is shown, it now uses Automated Device Enrollment.

You can set up Intune enrollment for macOS devices purchased through Apple's Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager. You can use either of these enrollments for large numbers of devices without ever touching them. You can ship macOS devices directly to users. When the user turns on the device, Setup Assistant runs with preconfigured settings and the device enrolls into Intune management.

To set up enrollment, you use both the Intune and Apple portals. You create enrollment profiles containing settings that applied to devices during enrollment.

Neither Apple Business Manager enrollment or Apple School Manager work with the device enrollment manager.

Prerequisites

  • Devices purchased in Apple School Manager or Apple's Automated Device Enrollment
  • A list of serial numbers or a purchase order number.

Get an Apple ADE token

Before you can enroll macOS devices with ADE or Apple School Manager, you need a token (.p7m) file from Apple. This token lets Intune sync information about the devices that your organization owns. It also lets Intune upload enrollment profiles to Apple and assign these profiles to devices.

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You use the Apple portal to create a token. You also use the Apple portal to assign devices to Intune for management.

Step 1. Download the Intune public key certificate required to create the token

  1. Download teorex inpaint 7 0. In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, choose Devices > macOS > macOS enrollment > Enrollment Program Tokens > Add.

  2. Grant permission to Microsoft to send user and device information to Apple by selecting I agree.

  3. Choose Download your public key to download and save the encryption key (.pem) file locally. The .pem file is used to request a trust-relationship certificate from the Apple portal.

Step 2. Use your key to download a token from Apple

  1. Choose Create a token for via Apple Business Manager or Create a token via Apple School Manager to open the appropriate Apple portal, and sign in with your company Apple ID. You can use this Apple ID to renew your token.

  2. For DEP, in the Apple portal, choose Get Started for Device Enrollment Program > Manage Servers > Add MDM Server.

  3. For Apple School Manage, in the Apple portal, choose MDM Servers > Add MDM Server.

  4. Enter the MDM Server Name, and then choose Next. The server name is for your reference to identify the mobile device management (MDM) server. It is not the name or URL of the Microsoft Intune server.

  5. The Add dialog box opens, stating Upload Your Public Key. Select Choose File… to upload the .pem file, and then choose Next.

  6. Go to Deployment Programs > Device Enrollment Program > Manage Devices.

  7. Under Choose Devices By, specify how devices are identified:

    • Serial Number
    • Order Number
    • Upload CSV File.
  8. For Choose Action, choose Assign to Server, choose the specified for Microsoft Intune, and then choose OK. The Apple portal assigns the specified devices to the Intune server for management and then displays Assignment Complete.

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Step 3. Save the Apple ID used to create this token

In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, provide the Apple ID for future reference.

Step 4. Upload your token

In the Apple token box, browse to the certificate (.pem) file, choose Open, and then choose Create. With the push certificate, Intune can enroll and manage macOS devices by pushing policy to enrolled devices. Intune automatically synchronizes with Apple to see your enrollment program account.

Create an Apple enrollment profile

Now that you've installed your token, you can create an enrollment profile for devices. A device enrollment profile defines the settings applied to a group of devices during enrollment. Radius 1 mac os.

  1. In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, choose Devices > macOS > macOS Enrollment > Enrollment program tokens.

  2. Select a token, choose Profiles, and then choose Create profile > macOS.

  3. On the Basics page, enter a Name and Description for the profile for administrative purposes. Users do not see these details. You can use this Name field to create a dynamic group in Azure Active Directory. Use the profile name to define the enrollmentProfileName parameter to assign devices with this enrollment profile. Learn more about Azure Active Directory dynamic groups.

  4. For Platform, choose macOS.

  5. Select Next to go to the Management Settings page.

  6. For User Affinity, choose whether or not devices with this profile must enroll with or without an assigned user.

    • Enroll with User Affinity - Choose this option for devices that belong to users and that want to use the Company Portal app for services like installing apps. If using ADFS, user affinity requires WS-Trust 1.3 Username/Mixed endpoint. Learn more. Choose this option if you need multi-factor authentication (MFA). Zoa - the microscopic hero mac os.

    • Enroll without User Affinity - Choose this option for device unaffiliated with a single user. Use this for devices that perform tasks without accessing local user data. Apps like the Company Portal app don't work.

  7. If you selected Enroll with User Affinity for the User Affinity field, you now have the option to choose the authentication method to use when authenticating users. For Authentication method, select one of the following options:

    • Setup Assistant (legacy): Use the legacy Setup Assistant if you want users to experience the typical, out-of-box-experience for Apple products. This installs standard preconfigured settings when the device enrolls with Intune management. If you're using Active Directory Federation Services and you're using Setup Assistant to authenticate, a WS-Trust 1.3 Username/Mixed endpoint is required. Learn more.

    • Setup Assistant with modern authentication: This option is in Public Preview. Devices running macOS 10.15 and later can use this method (older macOS devices in this profile will fall back to using the Setup Assistant (legacy) process).

      If a conditional access policy that requires multi-factor authentication (MFA) applies at enrollment or at enrollment and during Company Portal sign in, then MFA is required. However, MFA is optional based on the Azure AD settings in the targeted Conditional Access policy.

      After completing all the Setup Assistant screens, the end user lands on the home page (at which point their user affinity is established). However, until the user signs in to the Company Portal using their Azure AD credentials, the device:

      • Won't be fully registered with Azure AD.
      • Won't show up in the user's device list in the Azure AD portal.
      • Won't have access to resources protected by conditional access.
      • Won't be evaluated for device compliance.
      • Will be redirected to the Company Portal from other apps if the user tries to open any managed applications that are protected by conditional access.

      For more information on how to get the macOS Company Portal on the users device, see Add the Company Portal for macOS app.

  8. For Locked enrollment, choose whether or not you want locked enrollment for devices using this profile. Yes disables macOS settings that allow the management profile to be removed from the System Preferences menu or through the Terminal. After device enrollment, you cannot change this setting without wiping the device.

  9. Select Next to go to the Setup Assistant page.

  10. On the Setup Assistant page, configure the following profile settings:

    Department settingsDescription
    Department NameAppears when users tap About Configuration during activation.
    Department PhoneAppears when the user clicks the Need Help button during activation.

    You can choose to show or hide a variety of Setup Assistant screens on the device when the user sets it up.

    • If you choose Hide, the screen won't be displayed during setup. After setting up the device, the user can still go in to the Settings menu to set up the feature.
    • If you choose Show, the screen will be displayed during setup. The user can sometimes skip the screen without taking action. But they can then later go into the device's Settings menu to set up the feature.
    Setup Assistant screen settingsIf you choose Show, during setup the device will.
    Location ServicesPrompt the user for their location. For macOS 10.11 and later and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    RestoreDisplay the Apps & Data screen. This screen gives the user the option to restore or transfer data from iCloud Backup when they set up the device. For macOS 10.9 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    Apple IDGive the user the options to sign in with their Apple ID and use iCloud. For macOS 10.9 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    Terms and ConditionsRequire the user to accept Apple's terms and conditions. For macOS 10.9 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    Touch IDGive the user the option to set up fingerprint identification for the device. For macOS 10.12.4 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 8.1 and later.
    Apple PayGive the user the option to set up Apple Pay on the device. For macOS 10.12.4 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    SiriGive the user the option to set up Siri. For macOS 10.12 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    Diagnostic DataDisplay the Diagnostics screen to the user. This screen gives the user the option to send diagnostic data to Apple. For macOS 10.9 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    FileVaultDisplay the FileVault 2 encryption screen to the user. For macOS 10.10 and later.
    iCloud diagnosticsDisplay the iCloud Analytics screen to the user. For macOS 10.12.4 and later.
    iCloud StorageDisplay the iCloud Documents and Desktop screen to the user. For macOS 10.13.4 and later.
    Display ToneGive the user the option to turn on Display Tone. For macOS 10.13.6 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 9.3.2 and later.
    AppearanceDisplay the Appearance screen to the user. For macOS 10.14 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 13.0 and later.
    RegistrationDisplay the registration screen to the user. For macOS 10.9 and later.
    Screen TimeDisplay the Screen Time screen. For macOS 10.15 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 12.0 and later.
    PrivacyDisplay the Privacy screen to the user. For macOS 10.13.4 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 11.3 and later.
    AccessibilityDisplay the Accessibility screen to the user. If this screen is hidden, the user won't be able to automatically hear voice over. Voice over is only supported on devices that:
    - Run macOS 11.
    - Are connected to the internet using Ethernet.
    - Have the serial number appear in Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager.
  11. Select Next to go to the Review + create page.

  12. To save the profile, choose Create.

EntROOMpreneur
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In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, choose Devices macOS macOS enrollment Enrollment Program Tokens Add. Grant permission to Microsoft to send user and device information to Apple by selecting I agree. Choose Download your public key to download and save the encryption key (.pem) file locally. Although Mac integrates seamlessly into most standard enterprise IT environments, it's still important to assess your existing infrastructure to make sure your organization takes full advantage of everything that macOS.

Important

Apple recently changed from using the Apple Device Enrollment Program (DEP) to Apple Automated Device Enrollment (ADE). Intune is in the process of updating the Intune user interface to reflect that. Until such changes are complete, you'll continue to see Device Enrollment Program in the Intune portal. Wherever that is shown, it now uses Automated Device Enrollment.

You can set up Intune enrollment for macOS devices purchased through Apple's Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager. You can use either of these enrollments for large numbers of devices without ever touching them. You can ship macOS devices directly to users. When the user turns on the device, Setup Assistant runs with preconfigured settings and the device enrolls into Intune management.

To set up enrollment, you use both the Intune and Apple portals. You create enrollment profiles containing settings that applied to devices during enrollment.

Neither Apple Business Manager enrollment or Apple School Manager work with the device enrollment manager.

Prerequisites

  • Devices purchased in Apple School Manager or Apple's Automated Device Enrollment
  • A list of serial numbers or a purchase order number.

Get an Apple ADE token

Before you can enroll macOS devices with ADE or Apple School Manager, you need a token (.p7m) file from Apple. This token lets Intune sync information about the devices that your organization owns. It also lets Intune upload enrollment profiles to Apple and assign these profiles to devices.

Entroompreneur Mac Os Catalina

You use the Apple portal to create a token. You also use the Apple portal to assign devices to Intune for management.

Step 1. Download the Intune public key certificate required to create the token

  1. Download teorex inpaint 7 0. In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, choose Devices > macOS > macOS enrollment > Enrollment Program Tokens > Add.

  2. Grant permission to Microsoft to send user and device information to Apple by selecting I agree.

  3. Choose Download your public key to download and save the encryption key (.pem) file locally. The .pem file is used to request a trust-relationship certificate from the Apple portal.

Step 2. Use your key to download a token from Apple

  1. Choose Create a token for via Apple Business Manager or Create a token via Apple School Manager to open the appropriate Apple portal, and sign in with your company Apple ID. You can use this Apple ID to renew your token.

  2. For DEP, in the Apple portal, choose Get Started for Device Enrollment Program > Manage Servers > Add MDM Server.

  3. For Apple School Manage, in the Apple portal, choose MDM Servers > Add MDM Server.

  4. Enter the MDM Server Name, and then choose Next. The server name is for your reference to identify the mobile device management (MDM) server. It is not the name or URL of the Microsoft Intune server.

  5. The Add dialog box opens, stating Upload Your Public Key. Select Choose File… to upload the .pem file, and then choose Next.

  6. Go to Deployment Programs > Device Enrollment Program > Manage Devices.

  7. Under Choose Devices By, specify how devices are identified:

    • Serial Number
    • Order Number
    • Upload CSV File.
  8. For Choose Action, choose Assign to Server, choose the specified for Microsoft Intune, and then choose OK. The Apple portal assigns the specified devices to the Intune server for management and then displays Assignment Complete.

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Step 3. Save the Apple ID used to create this token

In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, provide the Apple ID for future reference.

Step 4. Upload your token

In the Apple token box, browse to the certificate (.pem) file, choose Open, and then choose Create. With the push certificate, Intune can enroll and manage macOS devices by pushing policy to enrolled devices. Intune automatically synchronizes with Apple to see your enrollment program account.

Create an Apple enrollment profile

Now that you've installed your token, you can create an enrollment profile for devices. A device enrollment profile defines the settings applied to a group of devices during enrollment. Radius 1 mac os.

  1. In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, choose Devices > macOS > macOS Enrollment > Enrollment program tokens.

  2. Select a token, choose Profiles, and then choose Create profile > macOS.

  3. On the Basics page, enter a Name and Description for the profile for administrative purposes. Users do not see these details. You can use this Name field to create a dynamic group in Azure Active Directory. Use the profile name to define the enrollmentProfileName parameter to assign devices with this enrollment profile. Learn more about Azure Active Directory dynamic groups.

  4. For Platform, choose macOS.

  5. Select Next to go to the Management Settings page.

  6. For User Affinity, choose whether or not devices with this profile must enroll with or without an assigned user.

    • Enroll with User Affinity - Choose this option for devices that belong to users and that want to use the Company Portal app for services like installing apps. If using ADFS, user affinity requires WS-Trust 1.3 Username/Mixed endpoint. Learn more. Choose this option if you need multi-factor authentication (MFA). Zoa - the microscopic hero mac os.

    • Enroll without User Affinity - Choose this option for device unaffiliated with a single user. Use this for devices that perform tasks without accessing local user data. Apps like the Company Portal app don't work.

  7. If you selected Enroll with User Affinity for the User Affinity field, you now have the option to choose the authentication method to use when authenticating users. For Authentication method, select one of the following options:

    • Setup Assistant (legacy): Use the legacy Setup Assistant if you want users to experience the typical, out-of-box-experience for Apple products. This installs standard preconfigured settings when the device enrolls with Intune management. If you're using Active Directory Federation Services and you're using Setup Assistant to authenticate, a WS-Trust 1.3 Username/Mixed endpoint is required. Learn more.

    • Setup Assistant with modern authentication: This option is in Public Preview. Devices running macOS 10.15 and later can use this method (older macOS devices in this profile will fall back to using the Setup Assistant (legacy) process).

      If a conditional access policy that requires multi-factor authentication (MFA) applies at enrollment or at enrollment and during Company Portal sign in, then MFA is required. However, MFA is optional based on the Azure AD settings in the targeted Conditional Access policy.

      After completing all the Setup Assistant screens, the end user lands on the home page (at which point their user affinity is established). However, until the user signs in to the Company Portal using their Azure AD credentials, the device:

      • Won't be fully registered with Azure AD.
      • Won't show up in the user's device list in the Azure AD portal.
      • Won't have access to resources protected by conditional access.
      • Won't be evaluated for device compliance.
      • Will be redirected to the Company Portal from other apps if the user tries to open any managed applications that are protected by conditional access.

      For more information on how to get the macOS Company Portal on the users device, see Add the Company Portal for macOS app.

  8. For Locked enrollment, choose whether or not you want locked enrollment for devices using this profile. Yes disables macOS settings that allow the management profile to be removed from the System Preferences menu or through the Terminal. After device enrollment, you cannot change this setting without wiping the device.

  9. Select Next to go to the Setup Assistant page.

  10. On the Setup Assistant page, configure the following profile settings:

    Department settingsDescription
    Department NameAppears when users tap About Configuration during activation.
    Department PhoneAppears when the user clicks the Need Help button during activation.

    You can choose to show or hide a variety of Setup Assistant screens on the device when the user sets it up.

    • If you choose Hide, the screen won't be displayed during setup. After setting up the device, the user can still go in to the Settings menu to set up the feature.
    • If you choose Show, the screen will be displayed during setup. The user can sometimes skip the screen without taking action. But they can then later go into the device's Settings menu to set up the feature.
    Setup Assistant screen settingsIf you choose Show, during setup the device will.
    Location ServicesPrompt the user for their location. For macOS 10.11 and later and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    RestoreDisplay the Apps & Data screen. This screen gives the user the option to restore or transfer data from iCloud Backup when they set up the device. For macOS 10.9 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    Apple IDGive the user the options to sign in with their Apple ID and use iCloud. For macOS 10.9 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    Terms and ConditionsRequire the user to accept Apple's terms and conditions. For macOS 10.9 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    Touch IDGive the user the option to set up fingerprint identification for the device. For macOS 10.12.4 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 8.1 and later.
    Apple PayGive the user the option to set up Apple Pay on the device. For macOS 10.12.4 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    SiriGive the user the option to set up Siri. For macOS 10.12 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    Diagnostic DataDisplay the Diagnostics screen to the user. This screen gives the user the option to send diagnostic data to Apple. For macOS 10.9 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 7.0 and later.
    FileVaultDisplay the FileVault 2 encryption screen to the user. For macOS 10.10 and later.
    iCloud diagnosticsDisplay the iCloud Analytics screen to the user. For macOS 10.12.4 and later.
    iCloud StorageDisplay the iCloud Documents and Desktop screen to the user. For macOS 10.13.4 and later.
    Display ToneGive the user the option to turn on Display Tone. For macOS 10.13.6 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 9.3.2 and later.
    AppearanceDisplay the Appearance screen to the user. For macOS 10.14 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 13.0 and later.
    RegistrationDisplay the registration screen to the user. For macOS 10.9 and later.
    Screen TimeDisplay the Screen Time screen. For macOS 10.15 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 12.0 and later.
    PrivacyDisplay the Privacy screen to the user. For macOS 10.13.4 and later, and iOS/iPadOS 11.3 and later.
    AccessibilityDisplay the Accessibility screen to the user. If this screen is hidden, the user won't be able to automatically hear voice over. Voice over is only supported on devices that:
    - Run macOS 11.
    - Are connected to the internet using Ethernet.
    - Have the serial number appear in Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager.
  11. Select Next to go to the Review + create page.

  12. To save the profile, choose Create.

Sync managed devices

Now that Intune has permission to manage your devices, you can synchronize Intune with Apple to see your managed devices in Intune in the Azure portal.

  1. In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, choose Devices > macOS > macOS Enrollment > Enrollment program tokens.

  2. Choose a token in the list > Devices > Sync.

    To comply with Apple's terms for acceptable enrollment program traffic, Intune imposes the following restrictions:

    • A full sync can run no more than once every seven days. During a full sync, Intune fetches the complete updated list of serial numbers assigned to the Apple MDM server connected to Intune. After an Enrollment Program device is deleted from Intune portal without being unassigned from the Apple MDM server in the Apple portal, it won't be re-imported to Intune until the full sync is run.
    • If a device is released from ABM/ASM, it can take up to 45 days for it to be automatically deleted from the devices page in Intune. You can manually delete released devices from Intune one by one if needed. Released devices will be accurately reported as being Removed from ABM/ASM in Intune until they are automatically deleted within 30-45 days.
    • A sync is run automatically every 24 hours. You can also sync by clicking the Sync button (no more than once every 15 minutes). All sync requests are given 15 minutes to finish. The Sync button is disabled until a sync is completed. This sync will refresh existing device status and import new devices assigned to the Apple MDM server.

Assign an enrollment profile to devices

You must assign an enrollment program profile to devices before they can enroll.

  1. In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, choose Devices > macOS > macOS Enrollment > Enrollment program tokens > choose a token in the list.
  2. Choose Devices > choose devices in the list > Assign profile.
  3. Under Assign profile, choose a profile for the devices > Assign.

Assign a default profile

You can pick a default macOS and iOS/iPadOS profile to be applied to all devices enrolling with a specific token.

  1. In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, choose Devices > macOS > macOS Enrollment > Enrollment program tokens > choose a token in the list.
  2. Choose Set Default Profile, choose a profile in the drop-down list, and then choose Save. This profile will be applied to all devices that enroll with the token.

Distribute devices

You have enabled management and syncing between Apple and Intune, and assigned a profile to let your devices enroll. You can now distribute devices to users. Devices with user affinity require each user be assigned an Intune license. Devices without user affinity require a device license.

Devices registered with ABM/ASM and assigned a profile in Intune can be enrolled:

  • During Setup Assistant for new devices or wiped devices.
  • After Setup Assistant using the profiles command.

Enroll your macOS device registered in ABM/ASM with Automated Device Enrollment during Setup Assistant

Devices configured in ABM/ASM will automatically enroll into management with Intune during Setup Assistant with a Remote Management prompt.

Note

If the device was assigned to a macOS enrollment profile with user affinity, you must sign in to the Company Portal for Azure AD registration and Conditional Access.

Enroll your macOS device registered in ABM/ASM with Automated Device Enrollment after Setup Assistant

For macOS 10.13 and later devices, you can follow these steps to enroll.

  1. In the Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager portal, import the device.
  2. In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, make sure that the device is assigned a macOS enrollment profile with or without user affinity.
  3. Log in to the device as a local administrator account.
  4. To trigger enrollment, on the Home page, open Terminal and run the following command:sudo profiles renew -type enrollment
  5. Enter your device password for the local administrator account.
  6. In the Device enrollment window, choose Details.
  7. In the System preferences window, choose Profiles.
  8. Follow the prompts that will download the management profile, certs, and policies from Intune. You can view the profiles on the device anytime by going to System Preferences > Profiles.
  9. If the device was assigned to a macOS enrollment profile with user affinity, you must sign in to the Company Portal for Azure AD registration and Conditional Access.

Renew an ADE token

  1. Go to business.apple.com and sign in with an account that has the role of Administrator or Device Enrollment Manager.

  2. Choose Settings > under MDM Servers choose your MDM server associated with the token file that you want to renew > Download Token.

  3. Choose Download Server Token.

  4. In the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, choose Device enrollment > Apple Enrollment > Enrollment program tokens > choose the token.

  5. Choose Renew token and enter the Apple ID used to create the original token.

  6. Upload the newly downloaded token.

  7. Choose Renew token. You'll see the confirmation that the token was renewed. Forlorn freedom mac os.

Next steps

Entroompreneur Mac Os 11

After enrolling macOS devices, you can start managing them.

When it comes to choosing a server OS for your business, look for security, stability and collaboration.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Mac OS X Server

Mac OS X Server is Apple's Unix server operating system. At its core, OS X Server shares a number of components with FreeBSD, and most Linux or xBSD apps can be recompiled fairly easily to run on OS X. According to Apple, Mac OS X Server's full Unix conformance ensures compatibility with existing server and application software.

Based on the same architecture as Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server includes additional services, applications, and administration tools for managing and deploying servers. It's commonly found in small business, education, and large organizations.

Mac OS X Server includes services and applications for cross-platform file sharing, standards-based directory and authentication services, networking and security services, calendaring and scheduling, Web hosting, e-mail services, secure instant messaging, Web-based collaboration, system imaging, live video broadcasting and on-demand video streaming, podcast encode and delivery, client management, and distributed computing. OS X Server 10.6, the Snow Leopard version, features a full 64-bit operating system.

Mac OS X Server 10.6 retails for $999 with an unlimited-client license and $499 for a 10-client license.

Windows Small Business Server 2008

Microsoft's Windows Small Business Server is an integrated server suite that runs the network infrastructure of companies that have fewer than 75 workstations or users. Application server technologies are tightly integrated to enable small businesses with targeted solutions and offer management benefits such as e-mail, Internet connectivity, internal Web sites, remote access, support for mobile devices, file and printer sharing, backup, and restore.

Launched in November, SBS 2008, previously code-named Cougar, comes in two flavors: Standard ($1,089) and Premium ($1,899), the latter of which adds the small-business version of SQL Server 2008 and several other technologies drawn from Windows Server 2008.

The 2008 version is updated to use 64-bit Server 2008 and Exchange 2007. Companies that purchase SBS 2008 will pay 30% to 35% less for the bundle than if they'd bought à la carte software, said Steven VanRoekel, senior director of Windows Server Solutions, who added that companies also will save through utilizing the software to create Web pages or performing IT duties.

Meanwhile, for midsize businesses with more sophisticated IT needs, Windows Essential Business Server 2008, previously code-named Centro, offers a range of additional messaging, management, and security tools. Like SBS 2008, EBS 2008 comes in two editions: Standard is $5,472, and Premium is $7,163.

Linux

There isn't one Linux operating system -- rather, you can buy a boxed version of Linux from a company or download it from a company or an individual. Most Linux server distros run the same Linux kernel but differ considerably in terms of software packages and licensing/support models. Prices range considerably, as well, from free to a couple thousand dollars, which is what the Red Hat server OS tops out at.

The server edition of Ubuntu Linux is free. Backed by the well-funded, for-profit company Canonical, Ubuntu Linux has emerged from relative obscurity to join the top tier of business Linux options. As bMighty's Matthew McKenzie said, 'Ubuntu has worked hard to position itself as a good choice for smaller companies that want to minimize their up-front costs without sacrificing the ability to get professional service and support when they need it.' He adds that subscription-based distros are an option for companies that will probably heavily rely on a vendor's service and support. Subscription-based distros might also provide a safety net for IT departments that need to 'sell' a Linux deployment to risk-averse, non-IT decision makers.

And then there's the 'green' aspect of Linux .

FreeBSD

FreeBSD is developed and maintained by a team of people. It's derived from BSD, a version of Unix. You can check out this article for help choosing a FreeBSD version appropriate for your business. And, obviously, FreeBSD is free.

The open source FreeBSD has been touted as being ideal for high-performance network applications as well as being easy to use. It's the free OS listed most often in Netcraft's list of the 50 Web servers with the longest uptime (meaning no crashes have occurred and no kernel updates have been deemed needed, since installing a new kernel requires a reboot, resetting the uptime counter of the system).

FreeBSD 7 is on version 7.1, released in January. New features include SCTP, UFS journaling, an experimental port of Sun's ZFS file system, GCC4, improved support for the ARM architecture, jemalloc (a memory allocator optimized for parallel computation, which was ported to Firefox 3), and major updates and optimizations relating to network, audio, and SMP performance. Version 8.0 is expected in the third quarter of this year.

Solaris

Sun Microsystems has heavily marketed Solaris for use with its own x64 workstations and servers based on AMD Opteron and Intel Xeon processors, as well as x86 systems manufactured by companies such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Fujitsu Siemens, and IBM. Boyz ii men legacy zip. The latest Solaris OS, version 10, added paravirtualization support for when it's used as a guest OS in Xen-based environments such as Sun xVM Server.

The OpenSolaris operating system is a free, open source release that offers a range of support options for businesses. The latest enhancements to OpenSolaris include ZFS, Solaris Containers, and Predictive Self Healing.

Sun began aggressively courting the small- and midsize-business market last year by making available a portfolio of its server, storage, and software products that includes its entry-level Sparc processor-based servers and StorageTek arrays; operating systems including Solaris 10, Windows, and Linux; and its MySQL open source database.

Recently, it was reported that Sun archrival Hewlett-Packard will distribute Solaris 10 on its best-selling ProLiant servers. HP will also sell one- and three-year standard and premium subscriptions for Solaris.





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