Mac Rackmount Server Offered By Linux Distributor

by , 8:30 AM EST, March 14th, 2002

Terra Soft Solutions recently announced the availability of a Macintosh rackmount server to leverage the power of a Linux/OS X combination. The Linux distributor is offering a DUAL GVS9000 2U rackmount server based on Apple's dual 1GHz G4 machine that comes preloaded with both Yellow Dog Linux and OS X for $3,839.

Terra Soft's Web site describes it as:

The ultimate workstation, server, or cluster node, the GVS 9000 offers the same technology as the latest dual 1GHz Apple G4 --in half the space. Rack, stack, and compact your cluster. Add a second drive, more RAM, and a PCI expansion card. Or contact us for information about hot-swap RAID and mass storage solutions.

The hardware, from Grande Vitesse Systems, appears to be converted from a retail Macintosh tower as it comes with a removable Superdrive and an Apple usb Keyboard and mouse.

A version of the server with only OS 9 and OS X can be ordered directly from Grande Vitesse Systems' Web site for US$3,499 but can also be ordered with various distributions of Linux installed.

Other Macintosh rackmount configurations from Grande Vitesse Systems include single processor 933MHz and 800MHz models.

Thanks to Observer David Nelson for the heads-up.

The Mac Observer Spin:

We are delighted to see solutons like this hit the market. Apple has completely ignored the need for rackmount servers for some unknown reason, and companies like Marathon, Grande Vitesse Systems, and now Terra Soft have stepped in to fill the void by reworking units from Apple. In our book, that makes these companies AOK.

These systems from Terra Soft with dual installations of Yellow Dog Linux and Mac OS X are particularly tasty, and should make outstanding servers. We say this without having tested any of the units, so don't take that as a hardware endorsement. If these systems sell well, perhaps Apple will sit up and take notice.

Terra Soft Solutions