This article contains the Read Me document for the original, platinum Macintosh Server G3.

This document provides information about your Macintosh Server G3 that supplements the information in your Setting Up Your Macintosh Server manual and your Macintosh Server Administrator's Manual. Read this document for information about known issues discovered after the manuals were completed as well as possible solutions.

Contents

Macintosh Server G3 Custom Mac OS Information
Macintosh Server G3 Bundled Apple and Third-Party Software Version Information
Apple Support Information
Software License Info
Communications Regulation Information
Late Breaking Issues and Known Problems

• The Macintosh Server G3 and Multifunction PCI Cards
• Loss of Ethernet After Installing New Software
• Open Transport 1.3.1 and Older Versions of Network Application Software
• Booting with a CD-ROM Inserted and DVD
• Headless Server Support
• Switch Settings for Video Terminator
• HFS+ Volumes
• Macintosh Server G3 Ultra Wide SCSI Information
• AppleShare IP 5.0.2 and Mac OS 8.1 Compatibility
• Apple Network Administrator Toolkit 2.0 and Mac OS 8.1 Compatibility
• Disk Recovery Utilities and Mac OS 8.1
• Dr. Solomon's Virex and the Macintosh Server G3
• Macintosh Server G3 and Apple HD SC80 Hard Drives
• SoftRAID 2.0.2 and Macintosh Server G3 Issues
• FTP Applications and the Macintosh Server G3
• Installing Acrobat Reader Software from the System Software CD
• Disk Drives Compatible with Soft RAID Software

Your server comes with Mac OS 8.1. It is the same as the retail version of Mac OS 8.1 with the addition of software extensions that enhance the performance and features of your server.

The unique files included with your server are: SoftRAID 2.0.2, Virex 5.8.1, Apple Enet 10/100D extension, and Ethernet (Built In) 2.0.2.

Macintosh Server G3 Bundled Apple and Third-Party Software Information

Mac OS 8.1 for the Macintosh Server G3
AppleShare IP 5.0.2
Apple Network Administrator Toolkit 2.0
Dr. Solomon's Virex 5.8.1 WS
Conley SoftRAID 2.0.2

Please consult documentation that came with your Virex software for support information.

Apple Support Information

Macintosh Server G3 Product's Supported
Apple supports the following bundled software versions in the Macintosh Server G3:
Mac OS 8.1
AppleShare IP 5.0.2
Apple Network Administrator Toolkit 2.0
Conley SoftRAID 2.0.2

Telephone Support
In the United States, if you have questions about your Macintosh Server G3 that are not answered by the provided manuals, call the Apple Assistance Center at 1-800-APL-CARE (1-800-275-2273) during live telephone support hours (Monday through Friday, 6 am to 6 pm Pacific time). After-hours support is provided for critical server issues. When prompted, enter the support access number provided on the back of your Apple Support Card and follow the instructions.

If you are located outside of the United States, refer to the support information that came with your Macintosh Server G3 for instructions.

Web Site

If you have an Internet connection, check the Apple Support Information Web site at http://www.apple.com/support for software updates that may become available after the release of this server.

Software License Info

AppleShare IP 5.0.2 that is included with your server has an unlimited user license. The licenses are outlined in the booklet inside the AppleShare IP CD package.

Apple Network Administrator Toolkit 2.0 has a license for 10 computers, whether clients or servers. This applies individually to the software suite of At Ease 5.0, Network Assistant 3.0, and User & Group Manager.

Dr. Solomon's Virex 5.8.1 WS and Conley SoftRAID 2.0.2 have a 1-server license.

Communications Regulation Information

FCC statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device in accordance with the specifications in Part 15 of FCC rules. See instructions if interference to radio or television reception is suspected.

Radio and Television interference

The equipment described in this manual generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy. If it is not installed and used properly--that is, in strict accordance with Apple's instructions--it may cause interference with radio and television reception.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device in accordance with the specifications in Part 15 of FCC rules. These specifications are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

You can determine whether your computer system is causing interference by turning it off. If the interference stops, it was probably caused by the computer or one of the peripheral devices.

If your computer system does cause interference to radio or television reception, try to correct the interference by using one or more of the following measures:

• Turn the television or radio antenna until the interference stops.
• Move the computer to one side or the other of the television or radio.
• Move the computer farther away from the television or radio.
• Plug the computer into an outlet that is on a different circuit from the television or radio. (That is, make certain the computer and the television or radio are on circuits controlled by different circuit breakers or fuses.)

If necessary, consult an Apple-authorized service provider or Apple. See the service and support information that came with your Apple product. Or, consult an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions.

Important: Changes or modifications to this product not authorized by Apple Computer, Inc., could void the FCC Certification and negate your authority to operate the product.

This product was tested for FCC compliance under conditions that included the use of Apple peripheral devices and Apple shielded cables and connectors between system components. It is important that you use Apple peripheral devices and shielded cables and connectors between system components to reduce the possibility of causing interference to radios, television sets, and other electronic devices. You can obtain Apple peripheral devices and the proper shielded cables and connectors through an Apple-authorized dealer. For non-Apple peripheral devices, contact the manufacturer or dealer for assistance.

Industry Canada statement

This Class B device meets all requirements of the Canadian interference-causing equipment regulations.

Cet appareil numerique de la Class B respecte toutes les exigences du Reglement sur le materiel brouilleur du Canada.

VCCI Class 2 statement

Late Breaking Issues and Known Issues

• The Macintosh Server G3 and Multifunction PCI Cards
  The Macintosh Server G3 provides limited support of multifunction PCI cards.
  A multifunction card is any PCI card which exhibits itself as multiple PCI devices.
  These cards generally contain internal logic which supports the correct distribution of interrupts between virtual devices, however, some cards do not. Please contact your PCI card vendor to verify the card will work with the Macintosh Server G3.
  For additional information and a list of compatible cards, please check the Apple Support Information Web site at http://www.apple.com/support .
• Loss of Ethernet After Installing New Software
  Some software installers inadvertently replace certain extensions with older versions that do not work with this Macintosh Server G3. This frequently occurs with the Ethernet (built-in) extension. If Ethernet is unavailable after installing software, check that the Ethernet (built-in) extension is version 2.0.2 or later. If it is an older version, then reinstall your system software from the system software CD that came with your server.
• Open Transport 1.3.1 and Older Versions of Network Application Software
  The Macintosh Server G3 ships with Mac OS 8.1, which contains version 1.3.1 of Open Transport. Some network software installers inadvertently replace this version of Open Transport with an older version which does not work with the Macintosh Server G3. If networking is unavailable after installing software, check that the Open Transport extension is version 1.3.1 or later. If it is an older version, then reinstall your system software from the system software CD that came with the Macintosh Server G3.
• Booting with a CD-ROM Inserted and DVD
  If you have a DVD CD-ROM drive in your Macintosh Server G3, and you boot from a non-DVD CD-ROM disk, you will need to restart your Macintosh Server G3 to use DVD media. This occurs only when you boot from media which does not contain DVD drivers.
• Headless Server Support
  The Macintosh Server G3 may be configured to function without a monitor attached. To do so, a few instructions must be followed correctly in order for headless operation to work. These instructions are in the Technical Info manual. Additionally, the provided Video Terminator needs to be installed.
  Network Assistant 3.0 is bundled to help remotely administer this server. It is part of the application suite for Apple Network Administrator's Toolkit 2.0.
• Switch Settings for Video Terminator
  Below are the recommended switch settings for the provided video terminator. This video terminator is required to support headless booting. You may wish to change these settings when connecting to a non-Macintosh monitor.

Figure 1 , Terminator switch settings

• HFS+ Volumes
  The Macintosh Server G3 hard disk drives are formatted with Macintosh HFS+, Extended Volume Format at the factory. Mac OS Extended Format optimizes the storage capacity of large hard drives by decreasing the minimum size of a single file. As an example, on a 2 GB hard drive a file containing only 2K of information requires 64K of space in Mac OS Standard Format, whereas with the Mac OS Extended Format, it will require the actual 2K on the 2 GB hard drive.
  Existing hard drives formatted with Mac OS Standard Format will continue to function and be supported by Mac OS 8.1. To find out whether or not a drive was initialized with Mac OS Standard Format or Extended, select the drive, and choose "Get Info" from the File menu.
• Macintosh Server G3 Ultra Wide SCSI Information
  • The Macintosh Server G3 User's Guide states that the Ultra Wide SCSI card is in slot C1, closest to the floor of the computer. In actuality, the card is located in PCI slot A1, nearest the system power supply.
  • External drives do not work on the Ultra Wide SCSI PCI card's 68 pin external connector. A sticker has been placed on the external port to remind you of this limitation. Please do not to remove this sticker. If you plan to use external Ultra Wide SCSI devices, please purchase another Ultra Wide SCSI card and attach external devices to it. Please contact your card vendor for compatibility information with the Macintosh Server G3.

• AppleShare IP 5.0.2 and Mac OS 8.1 Compatibility
  AppleShare IP 5.0.2 ships with your Macintosh Server G3.
  There is a performance update to AppleShare IP 5.0.2 Web and File Server, which is available on the AppleShare IP web site at < http://appleshareip.apple.com >. This update is called the Rev B patch. For best performance, please download and use the Rev B patch.
  Additionally, the Apple intends to release AppleShare IP 5.0.3 shortly, in order to take full advantage of new Mac OS 8.1 features. When AppleShare IP 5.0.3 is made available, please download this update from the AppleShare IP web site at < http://appleshareip.apple.com >

• Apple Network Administrator Toolkit 2.0 and Mac OS 8.1 Compatibility
  Apple Network Administrator's Toolkit ships with your Macintosh Server G3.
  Apple intends to update At Ease 5.0 and Network Assistant 3.0 for improved compatibility with Mac OS 8.1. Please download these software updates from the Apple Technical Support web site at < http://www.apple.com/support .>.

• Disk Recovery Utilities and Mac OS 8.1
  The Macintosh Server G3 ships with Mac OS 8.1. Due to changes in the file format, specifically the addition of HFS+, many older versions of disk recovery utilities do not work with this version of Mac OS. Please make sure you are running disk recovery utilities which will work with Mac OS 8.1 and HFS+.
• Dr. Solomon's Virex 5.8.1 and the Macintosh Server G3
  The Macintosh Server G3 comes with Virex Virus Detection Software. You will have to install and turn on Virex as well as restart the server for Virex to function.
  You can improve the server's start-up time by enabling SpeedScan and select option to Scan Compressed Files on your server in the Virex Control Panel.
• Apple HD SC80 Hard Drives and Macintosh Server G3
  The Apple HDSC 80 and smaller hard drives do not work with the Macintosh Server G3..

• SoftRAID 2.0.2 and Macintosh Server G3 Issues
  • For optimum performance and data reliability, RAID users should not create a mirror of a stripe volume which spans the same spindles as the stripe volume itself. This changes the volume type within RAID and may cause reliability errors.
  • The Macintosh Server G3 has a limit for the minimum stripe unit block size when Virtual Memory is enabled. This limit is 8 blocks. Setting the stripe unit block size below 8 blocks with Virtual Memory ON will cause the machine to stop responding. If you need to run with a stripe unit size of <8 blocks, turn off Virtual Memory.

• FTP Applications and the Macintosh Server G3
  When downloading data via FTP over 100 Mbit Ethernet, many FTP client applications may appear to hit a limit of 90-95KB/s as a file transfer rate.
  This is caused by the connection buffer size for the client application being too small. While default buffer sizes may vary, you can increase performance by increasing the connection buffer size to 32KB or larger in the corresponding network preference setting. This is known to occur with Fetch and Netscape Navigator. In Navigator, the connection buffer size is in the connections tab of the Network Preferences menu item under the Options menu of your client software.

• Installing Acrobat Reader Software from the System Software CD
  To install Acrobat Reader software on your server
  
  1. Make sure that Server HD is selected as the startup disk.

  2. Insert the Server System Software CD into your CD-ROM drive.

  3. Open the Adobe Software folder on the CD.

  4. Open the Acrobat Reader 3.0 folder on the CD and follow the installation instructions.
  If your server hard drive is not the startup disk, see the onscreen Mac OS Guide for instructions on how to make Server HD the startup disk.

• Disk Drives Compatible with Soft RAID Software
  For information about compatible disk drives please check the Apple Support web site at < http://www.apple.com/support > or contact Conley, the manufacturers of SoftRAID.

(c) 1997 -1998 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, AppleShare, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Open Doc, and QuickTime are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. At Ease, Cyberdog, Disk First Aid, Finder, and QuickDraw are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated, which may be registered in certain jurisdictions.

Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the performance or use of these products. Other trademarks held by their respective owners.