Along with the 10.5.4 update, Apple has just released Security Update 2008-004 for users of Mac OS X Tiger (10.4). According to Apple, the update "is recommended for all [Mac OS X Tiger (10.4)] users and improves the security of Mac OS X." You can download this update for the following systems:
The update is available through Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) or by downloading the installer packages by clicking the links above for your system. Apple has provided a support article for more details on this update.
Amazingly, the commercial hackintosh maker Psystar (whose efforts in building non-Apple machines running OS X we've covered at some length) still hasn't been beat down by Apple Legal and now they're back for more. They are releasing the OpenServ series of rackmount servers which they offer with a variety of OSes including OS X Leopard Server.
There are two models: the 1U OpenServ 1100 (starting $1599) and the 2U OpenServ 2400 (starting $1999) either of which can be purchased with OS X Leopard Server pre-installed for an extra $155 (no clients), $525 (10 clients), or $1025 (unlimited clients). This machines are obviously in direct competition with Apple's Xserve. Frankly, I'm amazed that Psystar is still in business, and they keep pressing their luck. I wonder if this will be enough to push Apple over the edge.
Apple just released an update for the Xserve. This EFI firmware update helps "improve the stability of Xserve computers," so if your Xserver has had stability issues, maybe this is just the update you've been praying for.
The Xserve EFI Firmware Update 1.1 can be downloaded by using Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) or by downloading the installer package from Apple's Support website. Additional information about the update can be found in a support note on the Apple support website.
If you use Xsan, then you might want to take note of the new update that Apple dropped yesterday. Apple updated Xsan Admin, Xsan Filesystem and the Xsan Uninstaller to version 2.1. According to the update note, the Xsan Filesystem update fixes:
Metadata controller reliability
Using and validating file system Access Control Lists
Using SAN Setup Assistant to configure volumes, LUNs and affinities
Changing a computer between client and metadata controller roles
Listing computers connected to the SAN
Visually displaying when LUNs have been truncated
You can download these updates by opening Software Update on the Mac running Xsan or by downloading the installer packages from Apple's Support Downloads website. For detailed information about this Xsan update, refer to the support note on Xsan 2.1.
With threeothersoftware updates out the door today already, you could have forgiven Apple for not providing a fourth. However, Apple has also released an updated Firmware Restoration CD (version 1.6) for for a number of Mac models:
Xserve (Early 2008)
MacBook (13-inch Late 2007)
iMac (20-inch Mid 2007)
iMac (24-inch Mid 2007)
The Firmware Restoration CD is used to bring the firmware on an Intel-based Macintosh back to factory condition in case of an emergency (such as an interrupted firmware install). Apple makes a note that you cannot use this CD to restore the firmware that has already been successfully applied to your system; this is used only for systems that did not successfully get a firmware update applied.
Tuesday's launch of Xsan 2 coincided with the discontinuation of Apple's Xserve RAID Enterprise storage system. For shopper's at the Apple Store for Education, it appears that the Xserve in general has been completely removed as well. Although refurbished Xserve servers still come up under a search (as do Xserve parts and accessories), the product page for Xserve is conspicuously missing.
Take a look at these screen shots, one is from the regular Apple Store, the other is from Apple Store for Education:
Where art thou, Xserve?
We're not sure if this was just a simple oversight or a sign of trends to come. It's possible Apple wasn't seeing the sales for the Xserve product at the Education store to warrant whatever hardware discount they might have offered. I also think it's possible that schools interested in getting an Xserve setup from Apple could probably do better the direct sales route, as opposed to using the web-based one-stop shop.
Whatever the reason, it is a bizarre exclusion -- and the first time I can recall an entire product being removed from one of Apple's pre-labeled storefronts.
One of the features prominently touted by Apple in the new XSan 2 is its support for 3rd party storage solutions. It looks like there is a very good reason for that: Apple is no longer making the Xserve RAID. That's right, if you head on over to the XServe Raid's former home on Apple.com you're greeted with some information about the Promise VTrak E-Class RAID Subsystem, and a link to find out more on Promise's website.
It would seem that Apple wasn't making enough money in the fast paced Enterprise storage market and is bowing out. This makes lots of sense to me, since (for the most part) storage is a commodity market, and that is something Apple has never been interested in. Now the company can focus on making the software that one uses to power and manage your SAN (i.e. XSan 2) the best in the market (and judging from the screenshots it looks a lot better than most SAN software I've used).
In addition to dropping the price on the Shuffle (and introducing the 2 GB version), today's big Apple store update appears to be the launch of Xsan 2. Xsan is Apple's Storage Area Network (SAN) file system, and while this update isn't as sexy as a new consumer laptop update, it's still pretty cool.
Xsan 2 has been received some significant updates; not only is it now fully compatible with both OS X Leopard and OS X Server Leopard (in fact, Leopard is required to run Xsan 2), it is also now qualified to work with third-party RAID storage.
Even more exciting (at least for anyone who has been holding out for some kind of Final Cut server solution) is the introduction of what Apple is calling, MultiSAN. MultiSAN, according to Apple, "[allows] users on a single workstation to access multiple SANs at the same time." Using the video editing example, this means that a segment producer could access both a broadcast and b-roll volume from the same machine. Additionally, the administration tools have been redesigned. Administrators can now create pre-set volume workload settings for different file types/purposes.
To be clear, this is an enterprise product. Xsan 2 is available now for $999 US. Xsan 2 is qualified to work with the Xserve, Mac® Pro and Apple Fibre Channel PCI-X cards, as well as qualified Fibre Channel switches and RAID storage hardware from third-party vendors.
Update: As Tim in the comments pointed out, it appears that Apple's Xserve RAID device is no more. The page now re-directs here, with a link to Promise's RAID solution.
Well, as Nik posted a bit earlier this morning, the Apple Store is indeed down worldwide. As commenters in that post noted, Apple has updated the Mac Pro line before major trade shows before, and as commenter John pointed out, Apple has just updated the front page of Apple.com announcing upgrades to the Mac Pro and Xserve line. I think it's a pretty safe bet that these machines will be available as soon as the Apple Store comes back online.
So what are the specs? For the Mac Pro the machines are now 8-core standard (!) running up to 3.2 Ghz each (and this is on the new 45 nanometer Quad-Core Xeon). "Fastest Mac ever" is a phrase bandied around a lot -- but in this case, it's absolutely true.
From the press release, the basic configuration ($2799 US) includes:
two 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors with dual-independent 1600 MHz front side buses;
2GB of 800 MHz DDR2 ECC fully-buffered DIMM memory, expandable up to 32GB;
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT with 256MB of GDDR3 memory;
320GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
16x SuperDrive™ with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
two PCI Express 2.0 slots and two PCI Express slots;
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR; and
ships with Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse.
Full CTO options are detailed in the press release linked above.
As for the Xserve, it now includes built-in accelerated graphics to drive up to a 23" Cinema Display and front facing USB 2.0 ports. It is also taking advantage of the new Intel 45 nanometer core technology.
The basic configuration ($2999 US) includes:
a single 64-bit 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Xeon processor with 12MB of L2 cache and a 1600 Mhz front side bus;
2GB of 800 MHz DDR2 ECC FB-DIMM RAM, expandable up to 32GB;
a single 80GB SATA Apple Drive Module;
dual Gigabit Ethernet on-board;
internal graphics;
two FireWire® 800 and three USB 2.0 ports; and
an unlimited client license for Mac OS X Server version 10.5 Leopard.
The unlimited client license for Leopard OS X Server is pretty fantastic, as are the power and cooling specs. Full configuration details can be found in the press release here.
Apple released Xserve Lights-Out Management Firmware Update 1.1 on Thursday. It's for Intel-based Xserves only, and will update your firmware to version 1.2.8. The Xserve I manage at work is a G5, so no update for me. Here's what I'm missing, according to Apple:
"This update includes changes to the Lights-Out Management environment of the Intel-based Xserve. It addresses the intermittent issue that causes the LOM port to be unresponsive. This update is strongly recommended for all Intel-based Xserve systems."
Let me ask you something: do you like fast storage? Redundant, fast storage? Lots and lots of gigabytes of fast, redundant storage? Sure you do, buddy -- but what's with the software RAID on your Mac Pro or your Intel-based XServe? That's so last week, now that Apple is shipping the RAID cards for Mac Pro and XServe; you can now do hardware RAID 0, 1, 5, or (Mac Pro only) 0+1 arrays of SATA drives, or superfast SAS drives on the XServe, for the precise mix of speed and reliability that you're craving.
Formerly only available as build-to-order options but now shipping as add-in parts for $999 each, the cards come with a raft of requirements. First, they're only for the machines mentioned above; G5 XServes are out of luck. Second, you can't mix and match drive types on the XServe, it's all SAS or all SATA please. Third, a minor point, barely worth mentioning really, but both these cards are listed as requiring some sort of OS update. Yes, on the heels of this morning's announcement of the MacBook revisions, we now have a total of three pieces of Apple hardware that demand Leopard to work at all.
Update: Clarified that the cards were previously available as BTO parts. Note that even though the specifications say Leopard-only for these cards, existing RAID cards (and possibly these as well, for anyone brave enough to spend a grand to test them) continue to work with Tiger. via Apple Hot News -- thanks Nelson
With the release of all the Leopard Server specs, eagle-eyed reader Tony notes that Apple's Server Administration information page shows a screenshot of an intriguing configuration: a 2x 2.7Ghz Dual-Core Intel Xeon-based XServe. No such machine with that processor config is currently available from Apple.
Factor in that Intel doesn't actually ship a 2.7Ghz Xeon dual-core chip at the moment, and it seems that Apple and Intel may well be plotting a new build of the XServe on a new CPU for eager enterprise customers, just in time for Leopard Server.
Donationware app MacTracker is great for those times when you need to look back at the history of Apple's products or the stats of one particular machine. If you're interested in more of a visual history, however, this picture from art director and designer Edwin Tofslie should satisfy your cravings for pretty pictures. Tofslie collected images from most of the major design revisions Apple has made to many of their most significant products, including the Mac, Newton, iPod, Xserve and iPhone, as well as their displays, mice and even the AirPort Extreme stations. It's an interesting look back over the evolution of Apple's industrial design that seems to include all the major landmarks.
I've been toying around with the idea of building a full Mac media server for my family, but this project by James Hodge puts any ideas I had to shame. His Ultimate iTunes Media Server is built around a PowerMac G4 with an Xserve RAID for storage. Content comes by way of over-the-air HDTV to Elgato's EyeTV, ripped DVDs, and iTunes Store purchases and is delivered to three Intel Mac mini clients over a gigabit Ethernet wired network. His total equipment cost is over $10,000. I think using the $5k Xserve RAID for storage really takes this one over the top. Anybody looking for some ideas for an iTunes server should check out the complete description of James' efforts.
DigiTimes is reporting numbers from IDC which show that Apple posted impressive 73% on-quarter growth in server shipments in the first quarter of 2007, moving into 10th place among server brands. Apple shipped 8700 units overall, with the gains attributed to the fifth generation Xserve "adopting Intel Dual Core Xeon processors (Woodcrest)." Since the Xserve are now able to run Linux on a par with other machines, it would be interesting to know how many of these machines are running Linux instead of OS X Server (the report did not say). In any case, Apple is presumably happy either way.
Along with the 10.5.4 update, Apple has just released Security Update 2008-004 for users of Mac OS X Tiger (10.4). According to Apple, the update "is recommended for all [Mac OS X Tiger (10.4)] users and improves the security of Mac OS X." You can download this update for the following systems: 
With three other software updates out the door today already, you could have forgiven Apple for not providing a fourth. However, Apple has also released an updated Firmware Restoration CD (version 1.6) for for a number of Mac models:
In addition to dropping the price on the Shuffle (and introducing the 2 GB version), today's big Apple store update appears to be the launch of Xsan 2. Xsan is Apple's Storage Area Network (SAN) file system, and while this update isn't as sexy as a new consumer laptop update, it's still pretty cool.
Well, as Nik posted a bit earlier this morning, the Apple Store is indeed down worldwide. As commenters in that post noted, Apple has updated the Mac Pro line before major trade shows before, and as commenter John pointed out, Apple has just updated the front page of Apple.com announcing upgrades to the Mac Pro and Xserve line. I think it's a pretty safe bet that these machines will be available as soon as the Apple Store comes back online.
Apple released Xserve Lights-Out Management Firmware Update 1.1 on Thursday. It's for Intel-based Xserves only, and will update your firmware to version 1.2.8. The Xserve I manage at work is a G5, so no update for me. Here's what I'm missing, according to Apple:
Let me ask you something: do you like fast storage? Redundant, fast storage? Lots and lots of gigabytes of fast, redundant storage? Sure you do, buddy -- but what's with the software RAID on your Mac Pro or your Intel-based XServe? That's so last week, now that Apple is shipping the RAID cards for Mac Pro and XServe; you can now do hardware RAID 0, 1, 5, or (Mac Pro only) 0+1 arrays of SATA drives, or superfast SAS drives on the XServe, for the precise mix of speed and reliability that you're craving.
With the release of all the Leopard Server specs, eagle-eyed reader Tony notes that Apple's Server Administration information page shows a screenshot of an intriguing configuration: a 2x 2.7Ghz Dual-Core Intel Xeon-based XServe. No such machine with that processor config is currently available from Apple. 
I've been toying around with the idea of building a full Mac media server for my family, but this project by James Hodge puts any ideas I had to shame. His Ultimate iTunes Media Server is built around a PowerMac G4 with an Xserve RAID for storage. Content comes by way of over-the-air HDTV to Elgato's EyeTV, ripped DVDs, and iTunes Store purchases and is delivered to three Intel Mac mini clients over a gigabit Ethernet wired network. His total equipment cost is over $10,000. I think using the $5k Xserve RAID for storage really takes this one over the top. Anybody looking for some ideas for an iTunes server should check out the complete description of James' efforts.
