OS X Server or Apple Remote Desktop
22/03/11 08:45 Filed in: Apple | Small business
This one blog post will in no way be the end all answer for this question but I want to put my experience out there for those asking the same question. Does my business or organization, whether currently using Apple computers or looking to switch, need to go with a central Apple OS X server machine or use Apple Remote Desktop as a central management tool for the clients 
on your network. I have used both solutions. Each has strong and weak points, hopefully I can point some of those out and you can make an educated decision on what will work best for you.
First of all, the size of your network and the number of clients, or individual computers on the network, will largely dictate if you need a central server or not. It would be difficult, although not impossible, to properly manage 50 machines on a network without a server. That said there are a few specific reasons you would want to go with the less costly solution: Apple Remote Desktop as a central management tool.
Apple Remote Desktop essentially allows a user to add Apple machines, and even PC's using VNC, to a central list, or broken down by location for instance, and update, control, view, run
various reports on, and a host of other functions, from your machine at work or home. At Omrinet, we manage not only our own machines, but also our clients machines using ARD. You add 
machines by IP address, or if your on the local network bonjour will make it easy to add Apple machines. Adding remote machines is simply a matter of entering the IP address of the remote router and setting up the proper port forwarding for ARD. Need to run software update on 20 office iMacs? Simply highlight the machines and run the "Install software update" terminal command from the drop down list in ARD. You can watch as each machines is updated. If it requires a reboot, highlight the necessary machines and Restart using ARD.
ARD can be purchased on the Mac App Store for about $50. The app currently has 5 stars and you will find the reviews tout the app just as I do. For central management, it cant be beat. But it doesn't replace a server.
Using ARD will work for you if these specifics apply to you:
There are specific things that you cannot do, at least not easily, without a server. The following are the deal breakers when it comes to deciding whether or not you can use ARD rather than installing a server machines:
If these do not make sense to you, your likely a prime candidate for Apple Remote Desktop. But if you are a school district network admin, you realize that a server is definitely a necessity.
There are also smaller business that need these options, and that doesn't necessarily mean you need to spend lots of money. OS X Server can be installed and even comes pre-installed on the Mac Mini server. We have deployed these devices, and for small networks they are great. For larger organizations a Mac Pro will be necessary (Xserves worked great, but are no longer part of the Apple line up).
Even if you use a central server you will find ARD a valuable tool on working with users remotely, keeping machines running and updated, providing support, or simply keeping an eye on various system properties using remote reporting in ARD. It is worth far more than what it costs, and you will wonder what you did without it before. As stated earlier, any PC running a VNC
viewer application can be added in ARD but will only be able to be controlled remotely. No reporting or management features of ARD apply to these VNC only machines but it does make it a nice central location to control all your machines remotely.
If your need better control over the machines on your network, a server may be the solution for you. But before you spend the money, check out what ARD can do for you, you may save yourself a few hundred dollars.
First of all, the size of your network and the number of clients, or individual computers on the network, will largely dictate if you need a central server or not. It would be difficult, although not impossible, to properly manage 50 machines on a network without a server. That said there are a few specific reasons you would want to go with the less costly solution: Apple Remote Desktop as a central management tool.
Apple Remote Desktop essentially allows a user to add Apple machines, and even PC's using VNC, to a central list, or broken down by location for instance, and update, control, view, run
ARD can be purchased on the Mac App Store for about $50. The app currently has 5 stars and you will find the reviews tout the app just as I do. For central management, it cant be beat. But it doesn't replace a server.
Using ARD will work for you if these specifics apply to you:
- You have users using the the same machines day in and day out
- An admin password on each machine is ample security as far as installing apps, changing system preferences, etc.
- You can set up a local back up device for each machine or a network share will work as a back up device.
- You simply need to provide assistance or support to local or remote users.
There are specific things that you cannot do, at least not easily, without a server. The following are the deal breakers when it comes to deciding whether or not you can use ARD rather than installing a server machines:
- Central management of multiple users using multiple machines rather than one person using the same machine everyday.
- Locking down and blocking various features, applications, and system preferences
- Internal centralized DNS server
- Re-imaging machines using network boot images (Great for school computer labs)
- Centralized user document storage and backup (At least using non third-party devices of applications)
- Home folder synchronization for mobile users
If these do not make sense to you, your likely a prime candidate for Apple Remote Desktop. But if you are a school district network admin, you realize that a server is definitely a necessity.
Even if you use a central server you will find ARD a valuable tool on working with users remotely, keeping machines running and updated, providing support, or simply keeping an eye on various system properties using remote reporting in ARD. It is worth far more than what it costs, and you will wonder what you did without it before. As stated earlier, any PC running a VNC
If your need better control over the machines on your network, a server may be the solution for you. But before you spend the money, check out what ARD can do for you, you may save yourself a few hundred dollars.
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