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   Apple to Deprecate Many macOS Server Services

   Adam C. Engst

   Apple has posted a support note titled '[1]Prepare for changes to macOS
   Server,' and boy are they not kidding about big changes coming. In an
   update to macOS Server due in 'spring 2018,' Apple will deprecate ten
   services by hiding them on new installations. If you've already
   configured one of the deprecated services, you'll be able to keep using
   it in that update.

   However, Apple will be removing the deprecated services in a future
   release of macOS Server, so the writing is on the wall ' it's time to
   start researching alternatives.

   The deprecated services are:
     * Calendar
     * Contacts
     * DHCP
     * DNS
     * Mail
     * Messages
     * NetInstall
     * VPN
     * Websites
     * Wiki

   For each, Apple's support note links to alternatives, although I'm sure
   the Mac admin community will have additional suggestions and thoughts.
   If you're not already in one of these groups, I recommend the
   [2]MacEnterprise mailing list and the [3]MacAdmins Slack team.

   If I'm diffing correctly, the services that will remain in macOS Server
   include these three (Apple didn't call out Software Update for
   elimination, but it's already hidden, so it seems destined for the
   chopping block as well):
     * Open Directory
     * Profile Manager
     * Xsan

   That list is in line with Apple's statement that 'macOS Server is
   changing to focus more on management of computers, devices, and storage
   on your network.'

   Over at Krypted, Charles Edge has been maintaining [4]a page that
   tracks the ebb and flow of services in Server over time. The number
   peaked quite a few revisions ago and has been dropping ever since.

   Because of Apple's obvious lack of interest in macOS Server in recent
   years, few people are surprised by Apple's announcement. However, many
   are distressed by it because it sends a troubling message to small
   businesses that have long relied on OS X Server and now macOS Server.
   Consultants and IT admins who recommended, installed, and maintained
   those macOS Server setups are concerned about having to research,
   install, and keep up with the wide variety of apps necessary to replace
   all the capabilities that macOS Server provided in a single coherent
   package. And of course, even if the alternatives are better
   technically, moving to them will require non-trivial investments of
   time and money.

   Are you using OS X Server or macOS Server now? What's your plan for
   dealing with losing these services? Let us know in the comments.

References

   1. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208312
   2. http://www.macenterprise.org/mailing-list
   3. https://macadmins.herokuapp.com/
   4. http://krypted.com/mac-os-x-server/services-apple-servers/

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