Apple Snow Leopard Server Review

Apple added a cool way to preview content in the wiki called Quick Look, a feature I talked about in my Snow Leopard client review. Basically, a user can hover over content produced by a variety of widely used applications, including Microsoft Office apps, Apple iWorks apps, Adobe Acrobat and QuickTime, and see a preview of the content. All of this happens without downloading the content.

There is new support for collaboration when the wiki is accessed from an iPhone. Templates in the Wiki component make it possible for users to log in and, among other things, view confidential wiki pages, track content updates, tag pages and view comments from an iPhone.

In addition to adding iPhone access to the Wiki Server 2 component, Apple has significantly improved the components used to enable outside access to Snow Leopard Server. While VPN access is still supported, new in Snow Leopard Server is Mobile Access Server. Mobile Access Server is basically a reverse proxy that enables remote secure file access for devices that are connected over the Internet. As with Wiki Server 2, the Mobile Access Server component integrates with an organisation’s existing directory service for authentication and even single sign-on support. (I used a Windows Server 2003 system running Active Directory to provide directory services.)

In Mac-oriented shops and departments, the new Address Book Server component in Snow Leopard Server will be a productivity booster. Address Book Server uses CardDAV, which is a protocol for contact information exchange.

It’s important to note that Apple provided integrated support for Microsoft Exchange Server in the Snow Leopard client and has made improvements in this area in the iPhone OS. For organisations that want to standardise contact use without putting the widely used Microsoft Exchange Server, or a rigid LDAP-based directory offering, at the heart of the solution, the Address Book Server could be just the ticket. With it, IT administrators can enable users to add contact information to a central repository that is accessed and used by Mac computers and iPhones.

Further supporting group communications and collaboration, Apple updated iCal Server in Snow Leopard Server. The calendaring component of Snow Leopard Server now includes a Web-based calendar client that enables users to view and update information over a variety of widely deployed browsers, including Safari, Internet Explorer and Firefox. iCal Server 2 has also gained the ability to push updates, including schedule changes and invitations, so that users see the most up-to-date information.

My experience with setting up the Address Book and iCal server components was similar to my experience with Snow Leopard Server in general: Set up of the components was neatly integrated with central services, such as directory and e-mail components. The Mac’s clean user interface, made possible in large part by controlling both the hardware and software platforms, ensured that things “just worked.”

Conclusion

Mac OS X Server Snow Leopard deserves a top spot on IT managers’ evaluation list for system updates in creative departments where Macs predominate. Snow Leopard Server could be considered for general enterprise deployment, but its built-in creative and communications functions make the operating system best suited for use where high-value content is produced. Of note are the updates to the Podcast Producer, Wiki and Mobile Access components.

Cameron Sturdevant is technical director at eWeek