MacOS Server

macOS Server (previously OS X Server) was an add-on component introducing server functions to an existing installation of macOS. With the release of Mac OS X Lion, the US$499.99 purchase of the full Mac OS X Server operating system was replaced with a US$49.99 Server app available from the Mac App Store.

Version History
Starting in macOS High Sierra, Apple began to phase out macOS Server. The File Server and Time Machine Server features were merged into the Sharing preferences pane in High Sierra. Caching Server was introduced to the Sharing pane as a replacement for the Software Update feature.

FTP and Server Docs were removed in Server 5.4, citing their dated protocols as a reason. File Server (SMB), Remote Login (SSH), and iCloud were suggested as alternatives.

On 2018, Apple released a macOS Server Service Migration Guide document, with instructions for system administrators to replace macOS Server with standalone open source software, or by directly using daemons built into macOS.

Almost all features were removed in Server 5.7.1, leaving only Profile Manager, Open Directory, and Xsan. Apple provided a list of alternative software to replace the macOS Server functionality. The underlying daemons implementing the functionality of the DHCP, Firewall, Websites, and NetBoot/NetInstall features remained in macOS, leaving them without a GUI for configuring them.

Xsan was removed in Server 5.12. and related command line tools were added to macOS Big Sur to replace this functionality. Being based on the StorNext file system, Apple additionally suggested migrating from Xsan to StorNext.

Profile Manager was the only remaining feature in Server 5.12.2. Apple refers Profile Manager users to a guide on planning an MDM migration to replace Profile Manager.

On 2022, Apple formally announced the discontinuation of macOS Server.

macOS Server does not run on macOS Ventura, as the ServerCompatibility private framework it depends on has been fully removed from the operating system.

While the macOS Server app listing has been removed from the App Store, as of 2023, OS X Server 2.2.5 and OS X Server 3.2.2 are still available for purchase at US$19.99, for use on OS X Mountain Lion and Mavericks respectively.