File Servers

Your Apple xServe can be booted from a CD/DVD and configured remotely. But how do you force a boot from a CD or DVD when you don't have a monitor or keyboard connected?

This information is reproduced from the manual that comes with your server. Its buried away on page 63, following 62 pages of information about mounting your server in a rack!

1. With the power off, hold in the system identifier button (the rightmost button) while you press the on/stanby (power) button.
   
   
   
2. Continue holding in the system identifier button until the top row of blue lights blinks sequentially.
   
   
   
3. Release the system identifier button. The rightmost light in the bottom row turns on. (If there is a disk in the CD/DVD drive it will be ejected).
   
   Insert your boot CD/DVD.
   
   
   
4. Follow the information in the manual (pdf 3.4 Mb) about how to remotely install your server once it is booted from the CD/DVD.
   
   (The 10.4.7 installer manual suggests some alternative info, but I think this is only relevant if you have a 10.4.7 install CD).
   
   
   
5. More info....
   
   To initiate other commands, press the system identifier button again to move to the next light in the bottom row, moving from right to left. Each time you press the button the light will move one further along the row.
   
   Details are available at the Apple Knowledge Base.