Apple unleashes Mac OS X Server 'Tiger'

Apple has previewed Mac OS X Server version 10.4, also known as 'Tiger', the latest version of its Unix-based server operating system.

According to the company, the fifth major release of its OS X Server includes more than 200 improved features, including native support for 64-bit applications.

Other additions include Weblog Server, to simplify weblog hosting; iChat Server to deploy private, encrypted communications within an organisation; and migration tools to make it easy to upgrade from Windows servers to Mac OS X Server.

For the first time, the Apple server operating system can natively run 64-bit processes for database, engineering and scientific applications, to take advantage of the increased performance when accessing large amounts of memory while still running side by side with existing 32-bit applications.

The revamped Weblog Server is compatible with Safari RSS in Mac OS X Tiger. Apple claims the application makes publishing a weblog as 'simple as checking a box' in Server Admin preferences.

Weblog Server is based on the open source project 'Blojsom' and is integrated into Tiger Server with Kerberos authentication support and LDAP integration.

Tiger's iChat server is designed to allow organisations to define their own namespaces, use SSL/TSL encryption to ensure privacy and Kerberos for authentication.

iChat server works with Apple's iChat conferencing software in Mac OS X Tiger and is compatible with open source Jabber clients available on Windows, Linux and PDAs.

The platform also ships with improved Windows migration tools that allow administrators to migrate the user and group account information from an existing Windows Primary Domain Controller automatically into Open Directory.

Tiger Server can then take over as the Primary Domain Controller for Windows clients and host Windows users' home directories, group folders, roaming profiles and shared printers.

"Tiger Server combines over 100 of the best solutions from the open source world with Apple's legendary ease of use to create the easiest way to deploy powerful open source server solutions," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, in a statement.

Mac OS X Server version 10.4 is scheduled for release in the first half of 2005 through the online Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and authorised resellers, for a suggested retail price of $499 for a 10-client edition and $999 for an unlimited-client edition.