(mt) Media Temple, Inc. - Web Hosting Built to Scale.

Can I change from Standard mode to Advanced mode? Sure. You can convert your (xv) Xserve-Virtual Machine into Advanced mode at any time. Please keep in mind that once you convert to Advanced mode you will not be able to revert back. (mt) Media Temple would have to re-install your server. Note: make sure to backup any important data before performing any complex tasks on your server.

What tools can I use to manage my (xv) Xserve-Virtual Server? You can administrate your server using the official Server Admin Tools provided by Apple. We recommend only using the Server Preferences application when in Standard mode.

Can I use Screen Sharing and Remote Desktop to manage by (xv) Server? Yes you can use both. Remote Desktop information is available here and you can read some quick Screen Sharing tips here.

Do I need to connect my Macintosh desktop computer to Open Directory to use my Server? You don't need to join the Open Directory to use your (xv) Xserve-Virtual Server. Using Open Directory is completely optional.

Are virtual machines slower than physical servers? Since your server operates in a virtual environment, you should expect to see some difference in performance from a dedicated physical server. Virtual Machines have a lower cost because the hardware resources are shared with other users, so you do not get the server's full resources - that is the trade-off. That said, your (xv) Xserve-Virtual Machine runs on Xserve hardware made by Apple, which are among the most powerful machines available for server applications.

I don't use a Mac. Will I still be able to use this Mac Server for anything? Mac OS X Leopard Server was built on open standards, meaning it works on anything that has a supporting client-side program for the services. For example: the iChat server can be used by any computer that has a Jabber-compatible instant messaging program installed. iCal is based on CalDAV, an open standard. The list goes on. You'll want this server no matter what you use on your desk!

Can I use an (xv) Xserve-Virtual in the same ways as a regular Xserve that is installed on a LAN? Although the (xv) provides all of the functionality that an Xserve installed in your local network can provide, certain things will obviously not be as natural to work with. Using the included VPN feature will make up for not having the server be plugged in to your local network.

Is this a co-location hosting service? No. You never have to send us a server and we never charge you for hardware. You simply pay to use a virtual portion of the servers that we have professionally installed and configured for you (including all server software and licenses).

I like the features that OS X Leopard Server has, but I want to install something else that it doesn't come with. How much access do I have for stuff like that? Each (xv) is it's own isolated environment -- you have the power to install anything you like. Anything you can install on a regular Mac can be installed on your (xv) Xserve-Virtual!

Can I load balance across two or more (xv) Xserve-Virtual Servers? Please check the Apple website for information on High Availability configurations and distributed computing. You can get started with the following links:
http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/technology/availability.html
http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/technology/xgrid.html

What are the specs of the Xserves you are using? Each XServe features: 2 x 2.8 Ghz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5400 series processors, 32GB 800MHz DDR2 ram, 3x300GB 15,000-rpm SAS with 16MB disk cache drives on a Xserve RAID Card.

How much of the server do I get? During the Private Beta period we intend on splitting the server in 1/8th partitions. Each virtual machine will be guaranteed 2GB of memory and two cores of CPU resources.

Will there be a backup option available for the (xv)? Will I be able to use Time Machine? Eventually the product will have a "snapshot" feature similar to our (dv) product line. There is no ETA for this feature. Time Machine is available for making backups to the local storage available on your (xv). In the future additional options may become available to use Time Machine with external storage devices.

What will be the price of the (xv)? This price is undetermined. During beta testing we intend to discover useful information about which split configurations yield the best balance of performance and reliability. Understanding these components will allow use set a price point which is appropriate for the service level being delivered.

What is the difference between a "Container" and a "Virtual Machine"? Primarily we use Parallels Container technology as the virtualization-core of our (dv) product line and our GridContainer system. Virtual Machines use "hypervisor virtualization". Hypervisor virtualization is considered hardware virtualization while Parallels Container is considered operating system virtualization. OS virtualization has a smaller footprint which results in higher performance and more efficient use of server resources while still providing physical server-like resource isolation. In hypervisor based solutions each virtual machine has virtual instances of all of the host's hardware, runs it's own kernel image and has it's own copy of the operating system. You can read more about these two types of virtualization here.

Will the (xv) be able to "scale on-demand" similar to the (dv)? Yes. The exact scalability plan is not fully determined however. We are currently experimenting with a few options. It is likely we will offer two sizes. The first option is a split server (Example: 1/8th), and the second is a zero-split option. With this system our customers can start small and then immediately scale up to a full single-tenant server when they're ready.

Since this is a Mac server, can I log in remotely and use it like a Mac desktop? Mac OS X Leopard Server provides a full user interface that you can use just like your own desktop computer.

Can I use my own domain name? Yes. Your server has a unique and dedicated IP address for you to use. All you need to do is add a DNS zone for the domain you want to use and set up the server to use that domain. Please note: in Standard Mode you won't be able to change your domain name without re-provisioning your server.

Can the (xv) Xserve-Virtual Machine be used for Podcast Producer? Absolutely! This is a fully capable Xserve that has been deployed through a virtual layer. All of the features you see for Mac OS X Leopard Server are included in this hosting product. Please keep in mind that Podcast Producer is not available in Standard mode, so you will need to convert your server to Advanced mode if you want this functionality.

How can I protect my services from unwanted users? Is there a firewall tool I can use? Mac OS X Leopard includes a Firewall tool in both Standard and Advanced modes. It allows you to restrict incoming traffic to specific services to only be allowed within your "local network". In this case, the VPN feature becomes integral for those concerned with security and privacy.

How can I reboot my (xv) Xserve-Virtual?You have a full desktop interface available to you via the Screen Sharing app. You restart it in the same way you would restart that Mac you see sitting on your desk. You can also reboot your (xv) at anytime through the AccountCenter.