This page is out of date, it has been replaced by a newer version which you can find here.
This is a complete installation and configuration guide for changing your Mac mini into a full blown internet connected server to be used for all your needs at home. When finished it will be able to be your web, mail and more server which you can connect using your broadband connection or have it located in a hosting datacenter like macminicolo.net.
You could compare it to the “ISP in a box article” on Mundy.org’s Nerd Vittles but I think this one is better. Why ? Because my setup will allow you to setup virtual domains for the web and mail. This will mean you can become the family and friends hosting provider. Host their sites and provide them with e-mail services like a proper ISP.
Note: If you just want to host one website and receive just your own mail you’re better off with Mundy.org’s Nerd Vittles setup because that setup is a simpler. You, for instance, don’t need any UNIX skills and type difficult commands in the Terminal.
I’m finding out how everything works by installing, compiling and configuring the software needed to make it a working server. I try to write down everything I do and try to redo it by following the notes I made to see if I made any errors or omitted steps.
If you follow these steps I have documented you’ll end up with a mini which you can use to host your and your friends websites by using an Apache2 based webserver which understands PHP and can talk with a MySQL database. This means you can install most PHP/MySQL based applications like for instance blogs or forums like Wordpress and phpbb. You are also able to provide mail services for them with unlimited mailboxes, domains and web-based email services using Roundcube.
The following pages will guide you through the basic setup, the blog posts are more about little tweaks to configurations, updates and extra’s.
- Prerequisites: What do you need to get started,
- Setting up the web part: installing Apache, PHP and MySQL,
- Building a proper mail server: compiling and installing all the components,
- Configuring the mail server: configuring the mail server components,
- Starting everything up at boot: make sure everything is started at reboot,
- The end result, what you get when finished.
Next page ->, what do you need.
December 9th, 2005 at 7:47 am
[...] A recent switcher has published a long, detailed and interesting set of instructions for setting up a mail server (and more) on a Mac mini. [...]
December 12th, 2005 at 5:41 pm
[...] Ein Server soll ja auch noch hübsch aussehen, wenn er im Rechenzentrum verstaubt. Daher die Anleitung ISP in a box, using a Mac mini um einen Mac Mini zum Server umzuwandeln. [...]
December 13th, 2005 at 1:04 am
A server is not an isp……. Unless you’re distributing internet connections to lots of people through t3 with it
December 20th, 2005 at 6:17 pm
[...] He emails to say that the documentation is now complete. Check it out. [...]
March 24th, 2006 at 7:35 am
I’ve spent two days and always get these same errors no matter what I do. I’m using Mac OS10.3.9. Any suggestions. I’m following your mac-mini instructions and all OK up to here.
error during postfix make install
postfix-install: Error: “postfix” needs an entry in the passwd file.
Remember, “postfix” needs a dedicated user and group id.
make: *** [install] Error 1
I have the proper entries but get this each time.
next step on Courier-auth
normal user - make
make[2]: *** [libcourierauth.la] Error 1
make[1]: *** [all-recursive] Error 1
make: *** [all] Error 2
root - make install
./libtool: line 1: .libs/libcourierauthsasl-symbols.expsym: Invalid argument
make[2]: *** [libcourierauthsasl.la] Error 1
make[1]: *** [install-recursive] Error 1
make: *** [install] Error 2
Courier imap
./configure –prefix=/usr/local –with-authpwd=YES –without-authcram COURIERAUTHCONFIG=/usr/local/bin/courierauthconfig
checking for courierauthconfig… /usr/local/bin/courierauthconfig
errors
./configure: line 1: /usr/local/bin/courierauthconfig: No such file or directory
./configure: line 20075: test: =: unary operator expected
./configure: line 20082: /usr/local/bin/courierauthconfig: No such file or directory
thanks,
Dennis
May 10th, 2006 at 7:38 pm
This is a sweet idea, I’ve been running a FreeBSD server doing web, database, email, chat and such for about 5 years, and I love it. The appeal of having all of this purring along behind OS X on a slick Mac Mini is a great idea. The only thing I don’t see you bring up is any form of Webmail. While old webmail apps have been pretty slow and static, with the world of AJAX opening up this is changing. I’m working with the devs of Roundcube Webmail Roundcube Webmail Project
and it’s a perfect complement to OS X as a webmail frontend.
Checkout my HOWTO to get it working Roundcube HOWTO
it’s very easy, and very nice to use day to day especially if you won’t always be connecting from a local client.
Ah, and on a related topic, I’m also gunning for a Mac Mini Duo Core to replace my new Dell 3.2G box, and my old 800Mhz iBook.
fak3r
Richard5: I guess you didn’t read the site well enough. The blog even has a roundcube category you can check out you would have found the installation and upgrade manuals there.