Apple Xserve Server: Technical Specifications and Overview

The Apple Xserve Server, although discontinued, remains a notable piece of Apple’s foray into the server hardware market. Designed as a 1U rack-mounted server, the Xserve was aimed at businesses and organizations needing robust server solutions. This document details the technical specifications of the original Xserve model to provide a comprehensive understanding of its capabilities and features.

Xserve Configurations (Original Model)

The initial Xserve was offered in two main configurations, differing primarily in processor setup to cater to varying performance needs:

Xserve M8627LL/A (Single Processor):
- Processor: 1GHz PowerPC G4
- L2 Cache: 256K at 1GHz
- L3 Cache: 2MB (DDR SRAM) with 4GB/s throughput
- Memory: 256MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM
- Hard Drive: 60GB (7200 rpm)
- Optical Drive: CD-ROM
- PCI Slots: Two full-length 64-bit, 66MHz (one open), one half-length 32-bit, 66MHz combination PCI/AGP
- Ethernet: One onboard 10/100/1000BASE-T, one 10/100/1000BASE-T card in PCI/AGP slot
- Ports: Three FireWire, two USB, one DB-9, one VGA
Xserve M8628LL/A (Dual Processor):
- Processor: Dual 1GHz PowerPC G4
- L2 Cache: 256K at 1GHz per processor
- L3 Cache: 2MB per processor (DDR SRAM) with 4GB/s throughput
- Memory: 512MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM
- Hard Drive: 60GB (7200 rpm)
- Optical Drive: CD-ROM
- PCI Slots: Two full-length 64-bit, 66MHz (one open), one half-length 32-bit, 66MHz combination PCI/AGP
- Ethernet: One onboard 10/100/1000BASE-T, one 10/100/1000BASE-T card in PCI/AGP slot
- Ports: Three FireWire, two USB, one DB-9, one VGA

Both configurations came standard with rack mounting hardware and Mac OS X Server v10.1.5, which included an unlimited-client license. The software suite bundled was comprehensive, featuring Mac OS X Server Install CD, WebObjects Deployment CD, Macintosh Manager 2 CD, NetBoot CD, Developer Tools CD, and Admin Tools CD, alongside the Apple Hardware Test CD and extensive documentation.

Xserve Options and Upgrades

To provide flexibility and customization, Apple offered several options to enhance the base Xserve models:

System Software: Mac OS X v10.16 compatibility.
Memory Upgrades: Options for 512MB, 1GB, 1.5GB, and 2GB of RAM.
Internal Storage: Choices included 60GB and 120GB Ultra ATA/100 Apple Drive Modules (7200 rpm).
Graphics: ATI Radeon 8500 AGP 4X graphics card with AGP riser for enhanced graphical capabilities.
Additional Connectivity: Ultra160 SCSI PCI card and Fiber Gigabit Ethernet PCI card for expanded I/O and networking options.

Detailed Technical Specifications of the Apple Xserve

Beyond the configurations and options, the Xserve boasted a range of technical features designed for reliability and performance in a server environment.

Storage Capabilities

The Xserve was engineered for substantial internal storage with:

Four internal drive bays, each on independent 100MHz buses.
Support for up to 480GB of total internal storage using hot-plug Apple Drive Modules.
Available Apple Drive Modules in 60GB and 120GB capacities, both 7200-rpm Ultra ATA/100 with 2MB disk cache.
Standard configurations included one 60GB 7200-rpm Apple Drive Module.
SMART data support for Apple Drive Modules, enabling pre-failure notification and proactive maintenance.
A tray-loading 24x-speed CD-ROM drive with a front panel eject button.
Optional Ultra160 SCSI PCI card for connecting external storage solutions and backup devices.

Rack Support and Physical Attributes

Designed for standard server environments, the Xserve featured:

Compatibility with EIA-310-D compliant 19-inch wide racks.
Support for four-post racks from 29 to 36 inches deep and two-post telco racks (with included center-mount brackets).
Included mounting screws for both M5 and 10/32-inch threads.
A cable management arm for four-post racks to maintain organized cabling.
Front-to-back cooling system optimized for rack enclosures.

In terms of physical specifications:

Height: 1.73 inches (4.4 cm) – 1U rack height.
Width: 17.6 inches (44.7 cm) – designed for 19-inch rack mounting.
Depth: 28 inches (71.1 cm).
Weight: 26 pounds (11.8 kg) in base configuration, up to 31 pounds (14.1 kg) with four Apple Drive Modules.

Electrical and Environmental Considerations

The Xserve was built to operate within standard data center power and environmental conditions:

Universal power input: 90V to 264V AC, power factor corrected.
Frequency: 47Hz to 63Hz, single phase.
Maximum input current: 3.6A.
Typical continuous power usage: 125W (single-processor), 175W (dual-processor).
Maximum continuous power: 400W.
Included agency-approved 12-foot power cable.
Operating temperature range: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C).
Storage temperature range: -40° to 116° F (-40° to 47° C).
Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing.
Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet.
FCC Class A approved.

Mac OS X Server and Included Services

The Apple Xserve was designed to leverage the power of Mac OS X Server, offering a range of integrated services:

File Services: Comprehensive file sharing across platforms including Macintosh (AFP), Windows (SMB/CIFS), Internet (FTP), and UNIX/Linux (NFS).
Printer Sharing: Support for Macintosh and UNIX (LPR/LPD), and Windows (SMB/CIFS) printer sharing.
Internet and Web Services: Integrated Apache web server, QuickTime Streaming Server, WebObjects deployment, Mail services (SMTP, POP, IMAP), WebDAV, SSL, PHP, MySQL, JavaServer Pages, Java Servlets, Perl, Mac CGI, and caching web proxy.
Networking and Security: Robust BSD networking foundation, SSH2, IP filtering firewall, DHCP server, DNS server, and SLP server.
Workgroup Management: Tools like Macintosh Manager 2 and NetBoot for efficient network administration.
Directory Services: NetInfo and LDAP for directory management.

Remote Monitoring and Management Tools

For efficient server administration, the Xserve included a suite of remote management tools:

Server Monitor: For remote monitoring of critical hardware subsystems including temperature, fan speed, hard drive SMART data, Ethernet link status, power supply, UPS, and enclosure security.
Server Admin (TCP/IP): For remote server administration over TCP/IP networks.
Remote Setup Assistant: Streamlining initial server setup and configuration.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP): Support for industry-standard SNMP monitoring.
InterMapper from Dartware: Included network monitoring software.
Secure Shell (SSH2): For secure command-line remote login.
Command-line tools: For remote configuration, software installation, updates, and system/network preference settings.

Conclusion

The original Apple Xserve server was a powerful and versatile 1U rack-mounted server, providing a robust foundation for a variety of server applications. Its technical specifications highlight its focus on performance, storage capacity, and comprehensive server software and management tools. While no longer in production, understanding the specifications of the original Apple Xserve provides valuable insight into Apple’s server hardware design and capabilities of that era.

Reference:

Xserve – Technical Specifications – Apple Support