Apple devoted two hours on Monday to run through features in OS X Lion, iOS 5 and iCloud, but didn’t mention a word about OS X Server. If you think that means Apple is getting out of the server operating system business, think again.
OS X Lion Server will be available along side OS X Lion in July as a download at the Mac App Store. Apple’s server OS will undercut competing server products at US$49.99, and the company isn’t skimping on features.
The server version of OS X Lion includes an updated version of the Xsan file system (previously a $999 purchase), a new Profile Manager that makes it easier for server administrators to manage users and groups, Web-based remote management tools, support for sending push notifications to client devices, WebDAV file sharing for iPad users, improved Mail and iCal servers, and more.
OS X Lion without server features costs $29.99, which is about $100 less than the company charged for Mac OS X 10.5 and earlier. Like OS X Lion, Mac OS X 10.6 cost $29.
Apple currently offers Mac Pro and Mac mini configurations with Mac OS X 10.6 Server pre-installed. Presumably the company will offer similar configurations with OS X Lion Server, too.