Xserve
Encyclopedia
Xserve was a line of rack unit
computers designed by Apple Inc. for use as server
s. When the Xserve was introduced in 2002, it was Apple's first designated server hardware design since the Apple Network Server
in 1996. It initially featured one or two PowerPC G4
processors, but was later switched over to the then new PowerPC G5, and subsequently switched again to two quad-core Intel Nehalem microprocessors.
The Xserve can be used for a variety of applications, including file server
, web server
or even high-performance computing
applications using clustering
– a dedicated cluster Xserve, the Xserve Cluster Node, without a video card and optical drives was also available. On November 5, 2010, Apple announced that the Xserve line would be discontinued on January 31, 2011 and replaced with the Mac Pro Server and the Mac Mini Server.
on August 7, 2006, and are significantly updated compared to the XServe G5, and G4. They use Intel Xeon ('Woodcrest') processors at 2 GHz, 2.66 GHz, or 3 GHz, PC2-5300 (DDR2
-667) ECC FB-DIMMs
, ATI Radeon X1300 graphics, a maximum storage capacity of 2.25TB
when used with three 750 GB drives, optional redundant power supplies and a 1U rack form factor. The Intel Xserves now had their graphics cards on-board, meaning that one did not need to sacrifice a PCI slot to add video capabilities — a departure from G4 and G5 Xserves.
On January 8, 2008 Xserve was updated to use Intel Xeon ('Harpertown') processors at 2.8 GHz or 3 GHz, PC2-6400 (DDR2
-800) ECC FB-DIMMs
, and a maximum storage capacity of 3TB when used with three 1TB drives. The front mounted FireWire 400 port featured in previous models was also replaced with a USB 2.0 port.
The Xserve RAID was discontinued on February 19, 2008.
On April 7, 2009 Xserve was updated to use Intel Xeon ('Gainestown') processors at 2.26 GHz, 2.66 GHz or 2.93 GHz, PC3-8500 (DDR3
-1066) ECC DIMM
s, two FireWire 800 ports, and a NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory and Mini DisplayPort output. The update also saw an increase to the maximum retail storage capacity, bringing it from 2TB to 6TB when used with three 2TB drives. An option to add a 128 GB SSD
boot-drive that does not occupy a drive bay was also implemented. The addition of the optional detected boot drive that does not use a drive bay allows all drives to be swapped whilst the server remains online. It was also Apple's first Xserve to use PVC-free internal cables and components and contain no brominated flame retardants.
On August 28, 2009 Xserve was updated to ship standard with Mac OS X Server 10.6 Unlimited Client Server. In addition to improved functionality Mac OS X 10.6 Server added support for up to 96 GB of RAM (a configuration which is not currently supported by the Xserve system-board).
On November 5, 2010, Apple announced that it would not be developing a future version of Xserve. While accepting orders for the current model until January 31, 2011, and honoring all Xserve warranties and extended support programs, the company suggested users switch to Mac Pro Server or Mac mini Server.
Rack unit
A rack unit or U is a unit of measure used to describe the height of equipment intended for mounting in a 19-inch rack or a 23-inch rack...
computers designed by Apple Inc. for use as server
Server (computing)
In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...
s. When the Xserve was introduced in 2002, it was Apple's first designated server hardware design since the Apple Network Server
Apple Network Server
The Apple Network Server was a short-lived line of PowerPC-based server computers manufactured by Apple Computer from February 1996 to April 1997, when it was discontinued due to very poor sales...
in 1996. It initially featured one or two PowerPC G4
PowerPC G4
PowerPC G4 is a designation used by Apple Computer to describe a fourth generation of 32-bit PowerPC microprocessors. Apple has applied this name to various processor models from Freescale, a former part of Motorola....
processors, but was later switched over to the then new PowerPC G5, and subsequently switched again to two quad-core Intel Nehalem microprocessors.
The Xserve can be used for a variety of applications, including file server
File server
In computing, a file server is a computer attached to a network that has the primary purpose of providing a location for shared disk access, i.e. shared storage of computer files that can be accessed by the workstations that are attached to the computer network...
, web server
Web server
Web server can refer to either the hardware or the software that helps to deliver content that can be accessed through the Internet....
or even high-performance computing
High-performance computing
High-performance computing uses supercomputers and computer clusters to solve advanced computation problems. Today, computer systems approaching the teraflops-region are counted as HPC-computers.-Overview:...
applications using clustering
Cluster (computing)
A computer cluster is a group of linked computers, working together closely thus in many respects forming a single computer. The components of a cluster are commonly, but not always, connected to each other through fast local area networks...
– a dedicated cluster Xserve, the Xserve Cluster Node, without a video card and optical drives was also available. On November 5, 2010, Apple announced that the Xserve line would be discontinued on January 31, 2011 and replaced with the Mac Pro Server and the Mac Mini Server.
Xserve G4
The Intel-based Xserves were announced at the Worldwide Developers ConferenceWorldwide Developers Conference
The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, commonly abbreviated WWDC, is a conference held annually in California by Apple Inc. The conference is primarily used by Apple to showcase its new software and technologies for developers, as well as offering hands-on labs and feedback sessions...
on August 7, 2006, and are significantly updated compared to the XServe G5, and G4. They use Intel Xeon ('Woodcrest') processors at 2 GHz, 2.66 GHz, or 3 GHz, PC2-5300 (DDR2
DDR2 SDRAM
DDR2 SDRAM is a double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memory interface. It supersedes the original DDR SDRAM specification and has itself been superseded by DDR3 SDRAM...
-667) ECC FB-DIMMs
Fully Buffered DIMM
Fully Buffered DIMM is a memory technology which can be used to increase reliability and density of memory systems. Conventionally, data lines from the memory controller have to be connected to data lines in every DRAM module. As memory width, as well as access speed, increases, the signal...
, ATI Radeon X1300 graphics, a maximum storage capacity of 2.25TB
Terabyte
The terabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information. The prefix tera means 1012 in the International System of Units , and therefore 1 terabyte is , or 1 trillion bytes, or 1000 gigabytes. 1 terabyte in binary prefixes is 0.9095 tebibytes, or 931.32 gibibytes...
when used with three 750 GB drives, optional redundant power supplies and a 1U rack form factor. The Intel Xserves now had their graphics cards on-board, meaning that one did not need to sacrifice a PCI slot to add video capabilities — a departure from G4 and G5 Xserves.
On January 8, 2008 Xserve was updated to use Intel Xeon ('Harpertown') processors at 2.8 GHz or 3 GHz, PC2-6400 (DDR2
DDR2 SDRAM
DDR2 SDRAM is a double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memory interface. It supersedes the original DDR SDRAM specification and has itself been superseded by DDR3 SDRAM...
-800) ECC FB-DIMMs
Fully Buffered DIMM
Fully Buffered DIMM is a memory technology which can be used to increase reliability and density of memory systems. Conventionally, data lines from the memory controller have to be connected to data lines in every DRAM module. As memory width, as well as access speed, increases, the signal...
, and a maximum storage capacity of 3TB when used with three 1TB drives. The front mounted FireWire 400 port featured in previous models was also replaced with a USB 2.0 port.
The Xserve RAID was discontinued on February 19, 2008.
On April 7, 2009 Xserve was updated to use Intel Xeon ('Gainestown') processors at 2.26 GHz, 2.66 GHz or 2.93 GHz, PC3-8500 (DDR3
DDR3 SDRAM
In computing, DDR3 SDRAM, an abbreviation for double data rate type three synchronous dynamic random access memory, is a modern kind of dynamic random access memory with a high bandwidth interface. It is one of several variants of DRAM and associated interface techniques used since the early 1970s...
-1066) ECC DIMM
DIMM
A DIMM or dual in-line memory module, comprises a series of dynamic random-access memory integrated circuits. These modules are mounted on a printed circuit board and designed for use in personal computers, workstations and servers...
s, two FireWire 800 ports, and a NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory and Mini DisplayPort output. The update also saw an increase to the maximum retail storage capacity, bringing it from 2TB to 6TB when used with three 2TB drives. An option to add a 128 GB SSD
Solid-state drive
A solid-state drive , sometimes called a solid-state disk or electronic disk, is a data storage device that uses solid-state memory to store persistent data with the intention of providing access in the same manner of a traditional block i/o hard disk drive...
boot-drive that does not occupy a drive bay was also implemented. The addition of the optional detected boot drive that does not use a drive bay allows all drives to be swapped whilst the server remains online. It was also Apple's first Xserve to use PVC-free internal cables and components and contain no brominated flame retardants.
On August 28, 2009 Xserve was updated to ship standard with Mac OS X Server 10.6 Unlimited Client Server. In addition to improved functionality Mac OS X 10.6 Server added support for up to 96 GB of RAM (a configuration which is not currently supported by the Xserve system-board).
On November 5, 2010, Apple announced that it would not be developing a future version of Xserve. While accepting orders for the current model until January 31, 2011, and honoring all Xserve warranties and extended support programs, the company suggested users switch to Mac Pro Server or Mac mini Server.