HELIOS white paper details options for discontinued Apple Xserve

Demise of Apple Xserve worries admins - HELIOS white paper details migration options. Replication of key Apple technologies such as AFP file and print sharing for Macs, Spotlight search, Bonjour server, Time Machine backups, etc. is handled by HELIOS File Server Bundle, supporting Mac, Windows, and Web clients.

Hannover, Germany, February 17, 2011 – HELIOS Software GmbH, a leading cross-platform file and print server developer, today issued a white paper detailing how users of the discontinued Apple Xserve server can migrate to other systems. The document describes how to replicate the server services offered by Mac OS X Server, on an alternate system. Requisite key Apple technologies can be provided by HELIOS server solutions on multiple server platforms, so there is an excellent range of hardware and OS options to replace the Xserve.

With the demise of the Xserve server, customers are forced to search for alternative server hardware and compatible server software. Most of the available server solutions lack complete Mac client support and do not provide key Apple server technologies. The HELIOS File Server Bundle though, does provide Mac OS X Server compatible AFP and SMB/CIFS file and print server services for Mac, Windows, and Web clients – including cross-platform Bonjour, Spotlight searches, Time Machine support, and remote administration – offering the best migration solution for Xserve customers.

The “Mac OS X Server migration to a HELIOS server – White Paper” is available, as a PDF document and in HTML, for free on the HELIOS web site:
OSX Migration To HELIOS White Paper (PDF)
OSX Migration To HELIOS White Paper (HTML)

The detailed overview covers all Mac OS X Server capabilities and provides a valuable plan for a well prepared transition to a new server solution. It describes how some Mac OS X Server services can be replaced with OS or open source equivalents. However, many essential services are best replicated by the HELIOS File Server Bundle solution, which includes an advanced DHCP server, Time Machine server volumes for Mac clients, and easy remote administration from Mac and Windows clients. HELIOS also includes features that go beyond Mac OS X Server, adding server fail safety, the HELIOS Advanced Printing System, superior cross-platform client support, and web-based file sharing. Transferring existing file server data can be handled efficiently with the HELIOS Xtar utility, which maintains Finder information as well as user and group permissions.

The HELIOS server solutions enable the easiest transition for admins, and a transparent change-over for end-users. The HELIOS File Server Bundle is comprised of HELIOS EtherShare, PCShare, and WebShare, and can be purchased worldwide from any local HELIOS reseller or system integrator. Additional HELIOS product add-ons offer workflow automation, PDF production, image processing, HD color and proofing solutions.

Additional information about the new features of the upcoming HELIOS UB2 software suite can be found on the HELIOS Software website at www.helios.de.