Replacing Mac OS Apache with macports Apache

[Scott Haneda]

On Feb 13, 2010, at 8:13 PM, Kirk Stork <kastork at nps.edu> wrote:

> I have been scratching my head as to how to integrate MacPorts into  
> an OS X Server set up.  This helps a bit, although there are still  
> questions in my mind about all the other services that come with OS  
> X Server.

Any specific questions? I've gotten pretty deep with MacPorts on OS X  
Server. What Ryan stated to you all pertains to OS X Client. Server is  
layed out and controlled different.

For example, while you may find you can turn off Apache in the Sharing  
Pane, that is not how you would ideally approach it in OSX Server.   
Use Admin Tools instead.

With MacPorts, you will have to get used to almost never touching the  
Server Admin Tools. Sure, for iChat Server, or AFP, or Mobile Homes  
etc, you will.  But if for example you install Postfix, steer very  
clear of the mail server controls in Server Admin.  The second that  
thing grabs a port like 110, 25, 587 or others, things will get  
confusing.

I largely have moved all my software to MacPorts, aside from  
CalendarServer. I would say I actively try to use MacPorts over and  
above any component in Mac OS X Server.

You will eventually learn this as valuable when an Apple Software  
Update breaks their own server software or there is a bug in for  
example php.

This happened to me, and php was patched and ready in a few hours from  
discovery (via MacPorts). I had my server back running perfectly at  
one command while everyone else was trying to restore from backups, or  
patching with a file from a semi arbitrary source. Then waiting on  
Apple to officially release a patch (months), hoping it does not  
colide with the interim patch, or re-breaking back to Apples bad spot  
and Software Updating from there.

It can be messy, MacPorts makes it clean and tends to move at a server  
admins pace.

I never touch Admin Tools aside from monitoring things like uptime, I/ 
O usage on CPU and drive and whatever other pretty charts it gives.  
Raid management is nice.

It's a perfectly great combo of software. It may even show you how  
little difference there is in Apples "Server" than their plain  
"Client". Now, don't bring up what you've done on the Mac OS X Server  
Mailing List, sometimes there are sharks in those waters :)

The only warning I can give you is with CalendarServer, which is also  
a MacOS Forge project like MacPorts. Apples CalendarServer is  
apparently the same kit. Even Apples official CalendarServer is still  
in infancy and causes some headaches to users.

The MacPorts version, while the same, does not have the GUI based  
controls to it obviously. Without those, it's very hard, or was for  
me, to get working. I opted for using the one built into OS X Server.

It's more tightly integrated with OD and AD, and in general, just  
simpler in this one case. With everthing else, I do try to forget my  
OS came with a serial number, and treat it as if it were the vanilla  
version.

   --
Scott * If you contact me off list replace talklists@ with scott@ *  
(Sent from a mobile device)