In the tech world, milestones often mark significant transitions, and on May 21st, 2001, Apple released the Mac OS X Server 10.0 Cheetah, ushering in a new era for the company’s server products. This groundbreaking server operating system, accompanied by the robust Macintosh Server G4 hardware, laid the foundation for a powerful and user-friendly server management experience.
Apple introduced the Mac OS X Server 10.0 Cheetah as an industrial-strength operating system, combining the prowess of a UNIX-based server with the user-friendly Macintosh interface. With a price tag of $499 or available pre-installed on Apple’s server computers, this release marked a significant leap forward in server technology.
The Mac OS X Server 10.0 Cheetah integrated powerful server applications, including the Apache web server, Samba for Windows file sharing, WebObjects 5 application server, and QuickTime Streaming Server 3. This amalgamation provided advanced industry-standard services to Macintosh, Windows, and UNIX clients and networks.
Philip Schiller, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, highlighted the operating system’s stability, robustness, and simplicity in installation and maintenance. The server featured protected memory, preemptive multi-tasking, symmetric multiprocessing, advanced memory management, and the latest networking and security standards.
| Released | May 21, 2001 |
| Original Price | $499 (10 Clients) $999 (Unlimited Clients) |
| System Requirements | Macintosh Server G4, Power Mac G4, Power Mac G4 Cube, iMac, Macintosh Server G3, and Power Macintosh G3 computers 128 MB RAM 4 GB of hard disk space |
| Distribution | CD-ROM |
| Order Number | M8281Z/A (10 Clients) M7941Z/A (Unlimited Clients) |
To enhance server uptime, Mac OS X Server incorporated fault tolerance systems that could automatically detect and recover from failures in system services. The accompanying Macintosh Server G4, a high-performance server, capitalized on symmetric multiprocessing to deliver superior performance and reliability at an affordable price.
Mac OS X Server empowered administrators with tools for versatile server deployment, allowing file and printer sharing across Macintosh, Windows, UNIX, and Linux clients. It supported internet websites with the Apache web server, collaborative web publishing with WebDAV, and digital media streaming via the QuickTime Streaming Server. Furthermore, the integration of WebObjects 5 facilitated the deployment of scalable network applications.
Administrators could easily manage servers with secure remote administration tools, support email protocols such as SMTP, IMAP, and POP, and employ advanced networking services like IP filtering firewall and DHCP. The operating system also facilitated the centralization of system configurations through features like Macintosh Manager and NetBoot.
Recognizing the need for users to leverage the power of Mac OS X Server effectively, Apple iServices offered a comprehensive set of training courses and certification programs. These programs aimed at system administrators and technical coordinators, ensuring they could harness the full potential of the operating system for efficient server management.
Built on the foundations of the main version of Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah, the server version offered a comprehensive solution for server management. With features like Apache, NetBoot, WebDev Support, PHP, MySQL, Tomcat, and Macintosh Manager, the operating system provided a holistic approach to server administration.
Designed with user experience in mind, Mac OS X Server 10.0 Cheetah featured the new Aqua user interface. This interface was intuitive, making it easy for users to navigate and manage their servers effectively. The commitment to user-friendly design showcased Apple’s dedication to creating accessible technology solutions.
The Mac OS X Server 10.0 Cheetah received its final update (10.0.4) on June 3, 2001, paving the way for the subsequent release of Mac OS X Server 10.1 Puma. Despite being succeeded by newer versions, the Cheetah remains a crucial part of Apple’s history, symbolizing a turning point for their server products.
As we reflect on the 23 years since its release, Mac OS X Server 10.0 Cheetah stands as a testament to Apple’s commitment to providing powerful, reliable, and user-friendly solutions for server management. Its innovative features, combined with the Macintosh Server G4, created a legacy that paved the way for future advancements in Apple’s server technology.
Versions of the Mac OS X Server Cheetah
| Versions | Build | Release Date |
| Mac OS X Server 10.0.3 | 4P13 | May 21, 2001 |
| Mac OS X Server 10.0.4 | 2G5 | July 3, 2001 |
Further Reading and References
- Apple Introduces Mac OS X Server – Apple Newsroom
- Mac OS X Server – Wikipedia
- Evolution of Mac OS. Mac OS X Server 1.0 -1999 – Medium
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
Last updated: January 27, 2024
