What are install requirements for OS X?

[mduke]

Sorry, but I didn't find anything specific in the forum about whether an OS X client computer could be used for Alfresco or whether an OS X server is required. Please advise, and also, is there info somewhere that speaks specifically to requirements?

I infer that I don't want to install this on a production server…! So, it looks like a virgin client machine might be best (e.g., a Mac Mini), but I'm also wondering whether any of you have installed on client or server Macs and, if so, what you had to do (e.g., I'm not sure the installation would impact existing MySQL databases…I'm thinking it wouldn't but don't want to risk any problems with my production servers).

Thanks.

[mikeh]

Alfresco works fine on OS X - in fact around half the development team have MacBook Pros. You need JDK 6, and I'd recommend you use Snow Leopard to allow it to run in 64-bit. Depending on how many users you'll have, you might be able to get away with 2GB RAM, but I'd recommend 4GB.

Thanks.
Mike

[mduke]

Excellent. Thanks much, Mike.

I think what I would recommend to the client is to get a new MacMini (so Snow Leopard a given), but just the client, not the server. Only question then is whether I can use multiple drives, but that's probably a long-term concern. Client expects immediate file mgmt capacity of 200-300 Gb, expanding to .5 Tb over next year or so. But if this works out well, it would be good to know what kind of storage scaling I can do.

Question: Doesn't JDK 6 come with Snow Leopard? Or am I mixing up Java 6 with the developer's kit? (Which by now probably has given away that I have a long way to go in my learning curve…!)

[mikeh]

Yes, JDK 6 is shipped as part of Snow Leopard.

Thanks,
Mike

[mduke]

Thanks again, Mike.

One (maybe final) question. Would there be any reason to not install it on an existing client Mac just to try it out? I infer no, given your comment about the dev team using it on their MacBooks. I'm not used to this notion of using a client machine for this kind of service (I've always done all that kind of stuff using servers), so I'm being perhaps overly cautious.

Only thing, is none of my boxes are Snow Leopard yet, so that might not be optimal (i.e., re JDK 6). I'm willing to update to SL, if you really think that would be better, but I'd like to test Alfresco first before recommending it to my clients.

[mikeh]

We've got cloud-based trials if you just want to test it… either than or install it in a VM - although that wouldn't be ideal on a laptop.

Thanks,
Mike