Apple Xserve
In May 2002, Apple returned to the server market with the Xserve, a computer designed for server racks. The company had not ventured into this territory since the crushing defeat of its Network Servers in the 1990s. At that time, Macs equipped many Fortune 500 companies, but they remained at the doorstep of their IT departments, never truly gaining entry.
The Xserve adopts a compact 1U format with a height of 4.4 cm. The first generation features PowerPC G4 processors at 1 GHz and DDR memory, a first for Apple. The system architecture relies on four hot-swappable hard drive bays, each with its own Ultra ATA-100 bus. These proprietary modules come in 60 or 120 GB capacities, reaching a maximum total of 480 GB.
For connectivity, the device offers two Gigabit Ethernet ports, three FireWire ports, two USB ports, and one serial port for terminal connections. The front panel displays disk activity, processor load, and network status in color. Apple launches two versions: $2,999 for the single-processor model, $3,999 for the dual-processor model, including an unlimited Mac OS X Server license.
The machine evolves quickly. As early as 2004, the Xserve G5 takes over with PowerPC G5 processors reaching up to 2 GHz. This performance boost requires a complete chassis redesign to dissipate heat, which reduces the number of bays. This version introduces ECC memory, a novelty in Apple’s catalog, and switches to SATA drives.
Apple completes its offering with the Xserve RAID, a 3U rack-mounted storage system. This device accommodates 14 modules of 180 GB each and communicates with the server via 2 Gb/s Fibre Channel links, achieving throughput of 400 MB/s. Its pricing challenges the competition: in 2004, the cost per gigabyte stands at $3.14, far below Dell ($9.05) and HP ($11.39).
The transition to Intel occurs in 2006. The Xserve adopts 64-bit Xeon processors reaching up to 3 GHz, multiplying the G5’s performance by five. These processors generate less heat, which allows for the addition of redundant power supplies and increases storage capacity to 2.5 TB. Options multiply: dual-layer DVD burner, 32 GB of RAM, integrated RAID card.
The final iterations emerge between 2008 and 2009 with quad-core Xeon 5400 series processors. These machines reach new heights thanks to their refined design: independent 1,600 MHz front-side buses, 800 MHz DDR2 ECC memory, PCI Express 2.0 connectors. Storage breaks new ground with 15,000 RPM SAS drives offering 125 MB/s throughput and 3.5 ms access times.
Mac OS X Server constitutes the Xserve’s major asset. This UNIX-certified system integrates file and printer sharing, web hosting, messaging, and media streaming. The 10.5 Leopard Server version enhances collaborative functions with iCal Server for calendars, Wiki Server for teamwork, and Podcast Producer for automatic multimedia content publishing.
Technical support adapts to enterprise needs: phone and email support available around the clock. Spare parts kits enable technicians to perform on-site interventions. The Server Monitor application continuously monitors critical components: temperatures, fans, power supplies, hard drives, and network interfaces.
Apple discontinues the Xserve RAID in February 2008, favoring Promise Technology solutions certified for Xsan 2 instead. The Xserve server disappears in January 2011, but it remains a fine example of technical expertise in the enterprise server domain. The company then recommends using Mac mini or Mac Pro systems configured as servers. This withdrawal reflects a shift in Apple’s priorities, turning more toward consumers and professionals than toward IT departments. For nine years, Xserve offered an elegant alternative to conventional solutions, combining performance, ease of use, and compact size.