OS X Mountain Lion Server For Dummies

Configuring File Sharing

Unlike some other services, file sharing doesn’t require much in the way of prerequisites on your network. You can use either a shared network directory or local user accounts. For a small network not connected to a larger network (where your server has a .local host name) you even can do without DNS.

You can use the Server app running on the server Mac or remotely from another Mac running Mountain Lion on the network. With just a few mouse clicks, you can turn on file service with several folders already shared. You’ll want to designate your own folders as share points, set what types of computers can access them, specify who can access the shared folders, and control what users can do. The next few sections describe how to perform these tasks.

Logging in and turning on file sharing

If you’re logging in to your server for the first time or if you’re configuring it remotely, you may have to log in to the Server app before turning on file sharing. Here’s how:

1. Launch the Server app from the Dock.

If the Server app launches, go to Step 2. If the Choose a Mac window appears, go to Step 3.

2. If your server doesn’t appear in the sidebar under Hardware, choose Manage⇒Connect to Server.

If your server is listed under Hardware, you’re already logged in and don’t need to do anything else.

3. Select a server from the Choose a Mac dialog and click the Continue button.

If you’re running the Server app from your server, it will be listed as This Mac. To log ...