Apple's playing in the big leagues now

For shops that need more than the out-of-the-box configuration provides, Macs have plenty of alternatives to the standard configuration. All current Macs, not just Xserve, will boot from CD-ROM or DVD, internal hard disk, Xserve RAID, FireWire, or a distant network server.

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The addition of Xserve RAID to Apple's hardware line may be the most important factor affecting Apple's IT credibility. Dual FC (Fibre Channel) connectivity, standards conformance, and full redundancy place Xserve RAID in the same category as more expensive storage units from Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM, among others. Multi-unit storage-management software is not a costly option; it's included. That's a bit unusual considering Xserve RAID, stuffed with 2.5TB of storage, is priced at $11,000.

Enter the Wildcat

An unbiased evaluation of Panther Server reveals strengths in each service category that alone would justify the combined cost of Xserve and Panther. For example: You could deploy a server simply for enterprisewide directory and authentication services. Deploy it with Xserve RAID solely for highly scalable networked storage. Use it as a secure IPsec VPN gateway, powerful, configurable firewall and network monitor. Use it as a Windows-compatible Primary Domain Controller for file and print services. Put an Xserve on your network just for standards-based SMTP, IMAP (Internet Messaging Access Protocol), and Web e-mail. Use it as a J2EE application server that's fully integrated with OS X's other Java and application services, including Apple's powerful WebObjects app server. Using a Mac server for any one of these roles is a worthwhile use of budget resources and manpower. That each server permits any combination of these roles, without imposing additional management overhead, makes Panther-equipped servers unique.

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Apple's engineers have validated and interconnected a vast number of open source projects into an easily deployable package, just as commercial Linux vendors Red Hat and SuSE have done.

The most notable difference between commercial Linux and OS X is cost. Commercial Linux sells for as much as $10,000 per CPU, with average prices hovering between $2,500 and $5,000. Panther either comes with an Apple server or can be purchased for $999 per system for hardware sold before OS X Server's release.

Paucity of Partners

Apple's partnerships, however, need work; there are still not enough applications for OS X, and an even more serious dearth of add-on hardware. But Apple does set itself apart in its attentive attitude toward customers. Apple maintains an automated channel for security patches and bug fixes, provided at no cost. Finding and installing multiple new fixes, or grabbing all the fixes to date, is either fully automated, a one-click affair, or a one-line scriptable command from Unix. Automatic fixes are applied not only to the operating system, but to optional software installed on the machine.

IT isn't used to paying attention to vendor involvement with the consumer market. It took a long time for Apple to overcome its reputation as a consumer electronics outfit, and that perception still affects IT's attitude toward Apple. But there is no confusing the built-like-a-tank Xserve and Xserve RAID with the iPod, or indestructible metal-clad PowerBooks with shiny plastic iBooks. Obsessive attention to build quality is common to all of Apple's hardware and software.

We don't assume that Apple will come out the winner when it's put under IT's microscope. But we strongly advise IT to look at Mac clients, Xserve products, and Panther without prejudice. Apple is playing in the big leagues now, and it can't succeed with only a stage show and a slick press kit.

Apple can redefine the standard for quality engineering, cross-product consistency, and commitment to customers. That will rattle not only other technology vendors, but IT as well. As InfoWorld is fond of pointing out, disruption by innovation is a powerfully good thing.