fileserver

[elgato2024]

before I start testing this, what are your thoughts on that?

I need a fileserver, hosting a few terrabytes of data for a dozen or so people,
connecting via smb/afs onto it from mac-clients, either directly or via vpn.

I'm thinking, with macOS server gone, why not just do this anyway with a normal macOS version,
I mean, I can still set up a all those users, and have personal as well as common directories available via sharing,
that is all still possible and working, no? not much changes, or am I wrong?

the users can simply connect via smb & afp,
changing passwords maybe must be done via terminal but that's cool.

right? right?

 

[arw]

Catalina is the last version of macOS capable of AFP sharing.
Since macOS Big Sur it is not possible anymore.
(AFP sharing of APFS volumes never worked)
I don't know any 3rd party solutions for macOS but if AFP sharing is a requirement, for Windows Acronis Files Connect exists.

 

[elgato2024]

hi arw, thanks for your input.
don't think I do need it, just wanted it to be there for the sake of old systems, just in case...
but I guess smb is supported since long enough... probably even earlier than catalina, right?

apart from that, any other potential problems with my plan?

 

[dimme]

I use a M1 Mac mini as a fileserver @ home and have for years. Works great with my 5 Macs, 2 windows machines and 2 Linux boxes.

 

[elgato2024]

I use a M1 Mac mini as a fileserver @ home and have for years. Works great with my 5 Macs, 2 windows machines and 2 Linux boxes.

sounds good. I am most concerned about user and group management...
is that working fine for you? do you have several ppl accessing different shares with their own users on that server?

 

[dimme]

I can't speak for users and group management because I am only set up with 3 users and share the amongst the different machines.

 

[elgato2024]

ah I see, thank you.

 

[arw]

I am most concerned about user and group management...

Sorry, I also only share plain data.
But I'm sure someone around here will have an answer for you…

 

[mcnallym]

Look at a NAS such as Synology

whilst people think of it a file storage then can also setup a directly server for user management in there and a VPN server.

users can have own shares and common shares that shared with everyone.

quiet and energy efficient as well.

also neater then running a separate mac, figuring How want to install the storage to it etc, handling multiple users, installing a VPN server solution.

a mac with sharing folders ok for one too users however for a dozen then especially handling password changes etc a pain.

 

[elgato2024]

'especially handling password changes etc a pain'
how do you mean?

 

[mcnallym]

'especially handling password changes etc a pain'
how do you mean?

Mac really doesn’t have support for users changing password other than logging into it. No centralised user account. the account on there personal Mac and on the file server Mac are seperate.

so would have to have them login to the file server Mac as user as opposed to simply connect to the Mac storage To change the password.

with a nas then can setup directory server and run centralised user account that allows password management to be done easily.

 

[elgato2024]

i see.
but users can still login via terminal, ssh, and use the 'passwd' command, no?
not complicated, two commands...