A look at the upcoming Panther Server OS

Computerworld - In the past few weeks, Apple Computer Inc. has made news with the announcement of several products, chief among them the Power Mac G5 and Panther (Mac OS X Version 10.3). What has not been so widely discussed is a preview of the next version of Mac OS X Server (also referred to as Panther Server). Here's a quick snapshot of some of the changes in the works from the current OS X Server release, based on information from Apple's Web site.

Open Directory and authentication

Open Directory as a whole is being given a series of major improvements, leading Apple to describe the update as Open Directory 2. One of the biggest changes coming to Open Directory is scalability. Mac OS X Server will now be able to replicate across multiple servers, enabling upward of 100,000 users to be listed in a single Open Directory database. In addition, a new administration tool will be added to Server Admin that will enable greater configuration and control of Open Directory (addressing something that has been one of my bigger complaints about OS X Server). Also included will be a Directory Inspector tool in the Workgroup Manager, which will allow an administrator to edit the directory data directly.

Beyond scalability and control, Apple will be improving Samba support. The improvements will allow OS X Server to participate in a Windows domain as well as support authentication across both platforms without the need for changes to the schema of either Open Directory or Active Directory. The next version of Mac OS X Server will also offer support for roaming profiles and user preferences, although it isn't clear how reliable they will be in Open Directory 2.

Ryan Faas has been an IT professional and technology writer specializing in Macintosh for nearly 10 years. Currently managing the Mac OS X Server and Macintosh workstations for a community college in upstate New York, he has deployed, administered and trained users in Mac and mixed network installations in institutions ranging from small graphic-design firms and school districts to major media companies. He is also co-author of Troubleshooting, Maintaining and Repairing Macs (McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 2000).

As much as I'd like to believe this support will easily extend beyond simple user authentication without schema changes, I'm skeptical this will be as easily configured as Apple is currently describing in the majority of installations.

Virtual private network (VPN) services will be making a solid showing for the first time in Panther Server, too. Both Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol and Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol will be available, as will IPSec. This marks the first time Apple is stepping up to provide easily accessed and configured VPN capabilities. VPN services should function for both Mac and Windows clients without significant problems.