Mac OS X Lion Server For Dummies®

Considering Other Network Hardware

For most of the book, I assume that you have a network. But in case you don't, here's a brief overview of what's needed for a basic network infrastructure. Many different network layouts are possible. In this section, I describe a smaller network, or a subnetwork, that you might plug in to a larger network.

It's best if you set up the network (or have a functioning network with DNS in place), connect your clients, and plug in the Mac server before you install Lion Server. When you run the Lion Server installer, it gathers data from the network during the setup to automate configuration. (Chapter 3 covers Lion Server installation.)

Ethernet switches and cables

Even in today's wireless world, you need some wires for your network infrastructure. The heart of a wired network infrastructure is an Ethernet switched hub (or an Ethernet switch), a box that everything on a wired network plugs into.

Some Ethernet hubs are without switches, which aren't as fast as Ethernet switched hubs. Plain (unswitched) hubs aren't that common, but you don't want one if you find one. Make sure it's a switch.

You can often find Ethernet switches built into other devices, such as wireless access points, Internet routers, firewalls, and virtual private network gateways. ...