Robust networking services in Mac OS X Server make it a snap to set up and manage your IP infrastructure, including the latest versions of DNS, NAT, DHCP, NTP, Firewall and VPN.
Mac OS X Server is built on open, standards-based protocols and the latest in network security standards to increase the performance and security of your server deployments. Using time-tested BSD sockets and TCP/IP stack, this advanced networking architecture ensures compatibility and integration with IP-based networks. And for small operations just getting started, the new Gateway Setup Assistant provides an intuitive interface for configuring secure network services.
Gateway Setup Assistant
Perfect for small offices and home offices, the new Gateway Setup Assistant enables you to set up complex services in just a few clicks. Simply connect a network cable from your server to your DSL or cable modem and another cable from your network to your server. Run the Gateway Setup Utility to automatically configure the server as a router, configure DHCP and VPN address ranges, enable DHCP and NAT, configure firewall rules and enable DNS caching.
VPN Server
Mac OS X Server includes VPN support for Mac OS X, Windows and UNIX/Linux clients using Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) and Level-2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP/IPSec). It also includes support for strong authentication for VPN using MS-CHAP and IPSec or third-party solutions like SecureID. Encryption using PPTP is 40 and 128bit, L2TP uses IPSec.
DNS Setup
Mac OS X Server uses the same Berkeley Internet Name Domain implementation of the DNS protocols used by the majority of name servers on the Internet. It provides a robust and stable foundation for building your organization's naming architecture. Using Server Admin, you can set up and maintain multiple domains, as well as view DNS logs, usage and activity information.
DHCP Setup
Use Server Admin to configure and administer your servers’ DHCP service. It allows you to create and administer subnets, configure DNS, LDAP and WINS options for client computers and view DHCP client computers. Use DHCP when you want to assign IP addresses automatically, deliver TCP/IP parameters such as the subnet mask and default router and provide other information such as printer, time and news server addresses.
Firewall Setup
Mac OS X Server uses the reliable open source IPFW2 software for its firewall service. To protect your network applications, the firewall service scans incoming IP packets and rejects or accepts them based on the set of filters you create. You can restrict access to any IP service running on the server, and you can customize filters for all incoming clients or for a range of client IP addresses — all in Server Admin.
