Not to be confused with Apple Workgroup Servers.

The Apple Network Server (ANS), codenamed "Shiner", was a series of enterprise server computers designed and released by Apple Computer on February 26, 1996. Unlike other PowerPC-based systems sold by Apple at the time, the Apple Network Servers ran a version of AIX from IBM and were not configured to be able to boot into Mac OS.

Specifications

The Apple Network Servers used a modified version of the Power Macintosh 9500 logic board with 6 PCI slots and an Open Firmware ROM that did not support any Mac OS calls. Eight 168-pin DIMM slots support a maximum of 512 MB of RAM. A small LCD screen on the front of the case displayed status and error messages; a keyed lock mechanism could be used to secure the server. The system weighed 80 pounds and was supported on four lockable wheels. The servers shipped with AIX for Apple Network Servers 4.1.4 and could be updated to versions 4.1.4.1 and 4.1.5.^[1] They are not based on PreP nor CHRP specs.^[2]

History

Three models originally entered into development. A high-end "Shiner HE" version (ANS 700) featured a 150 MHz PowerPC 604 processor and two 425W power supplies that were redundant so that one could take over if the other failed. This allowed the server to operate continuously while one of the power supplies was being removed and exchanged. A low-end "Shiner LE" version (ANS 500) featured a slightly slower 132 MHz PowerPC 604 processor and a single 325W power supply. Both "Shiner" models featured two fixed drive bays and seven removable slide-out bays which could be covered by a sliding door. A faster version with a 200 MHz PowerPC 604e processor card became available later. A dual 180 MHz 604e multiprocessor card was tested, but never released.^[3] The signatures of the development team were molded onto the back of the sliding drive door, including: Teresa "Magic" Hooks, Paul Hamton Kelly, M.P. McNally, Steven Nelson, Bradford J. Rogers, and Laszlo Zsidek.^[4]

A smaller model codenamed "Deep Dish" (ANS 300) was also in development. It used the same logic board and processor configuration as the ANS 500 in a rack-mountable case with one fixed drive bay and two removable slide-out bays. Though ANS 300 prototypes entered beta testing, this model was never sold to the public.^[3]

Models

Discontinuation

When the Apple Network Server series was discontinued in April 1997, some units remaining in Apple's inventory were offered to employees; the rest were crushed and buried. Some prototype units contained one of two development ROMs that could boot into Mac OS 8 to 8.5, but these were never made commercially available.^[5] Even with Power Macintosh 9500 or 9600 ROMs swapped in, commercially-released servers are unable to boot successfully into Mac OS. Users have found it possible to install Yellow Dog Linux 2.x and 3.x on the servers.^[6][7] NetBSD can also be installed.^[1]

The swappable RAID functionality of the Apple Network Servers was later reintroduced with the Xserve and Xserve RAID in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

References

External links

• About Apple Network Servers at Apple (archived 1997-04-12)
  • Apple Servers Technical Specifications (archived 2002-04-18)
  • Network Server Hardware Troubleshooting Guide at Apple Developer World (archived 1997-06-15)
  • Network Server Third-Party Drives (archived 1997-06-15)
• Apple Network Server 700 at The Apple Fool
• Network Server 500/700 at Apple-History
• Network Server 700/200 at AppleMuseum.dk
• Erik's Apple Network Server Page
• Apple Network Server specs at EveryMac
• Apple Network Server Resource at Floodgap ANSwers
  • Software and Downloads
• Network Server 700 at madeApple
• Shiner.info The unofficial site for the Apple Network Server (archived 2011-09-28)
• The Apple Network Server Resource at System Folder: The Platinum Days
• Apple Network Server at the Higher Intellect Vintage Computing Wiki
  • Service Source: Network Server 500 and 700 Series (PDF)
• Apple Network Server at Wikipedia

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