Xserve Cluster Node Server Wrong Purchase

[Brian Willoughby]

If you're familiar with Mac OS X Server admin, it shouldn't be too  
hard.  You install the admin tools on another Mac on the same subnet,  
and it will find the new Cluster Node and allow to you remotely  
configure it for your installation.  If you completely mangle the  
setup, you can put the Cluster Node into Target Disk Mode, attach to  
a PowerBook or other Mac, and reinstall a fresh copy to start over  
(just make sure you don't reboot the installing computer, because it  
will then configure the Cluster Node drive for the wrong system).   
Note: The documentation implies that you must use the FW400 port on  
the front, but I found that the FW800 ports on the rear work equally  
well, and cut down on installation time if you have a fast drive (10K?).

It's tough at first without a video card (although you can install  
one), but once you get past the setup its unnecessary.  I made a few  
mistakes along the way, since this was my first Xserve, but with the  
reinstall I was eventually able to get it perfect.  I purchased a  
Cluster Node because it gives you dual processors for the same cost,  
only sacrificing the extra drive bays.  Since my Xserve is in a co- 
location facility where I may never touch it again, I'm glad I didn't  
pay for video.  You may find that you made the right purchase, if you  
can make it through the configuration.

Brian Willoughby
Sound Consulting


On Apr 3, 2007, at 08:50, Lyn wrote:

I feel a little foolish posting this, but I figure I'm probably among  
friends. ;-)

I recently purchased a G5 Xserve on eBay to deploy a dedicated 4D  
database application. Would have used a MacPro, but 4D Server isn't  
universal binary yet and our timing tests indicate our application  
will be significantly faster on a G5.

The Xserve arrived today & I now realize I actually purchased a  
Xserve cluster node server. I see there is no video card onboard so I  
can't connect a monitor. Am I screwed? Can I get this machine to work  
anyway? I'll be placing this unit on the same rack adjacent to a G4  
and G5 Xserve running other applications. Will that help my setup at  
all?

Lyn