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The new software combines an OS X Darwin core with several web applications: Apache - the world's most popular web server, Samba - for Windows file sharing, WebObjects 5 - a new version of this application server, and QuickTime Streaming Server - for streaming live video over the internet. It can therefore operate within Mac OS, Windows, UNIX, Linux or multi-platform networks. OS X Server shares the pre-emininent characteristics of Mac OS X, such as pre-emptive multitasking, symettric multiprocessing, advanced memory management and up-to-date netwotking and security standards.

OS X server also enables shared web publishing and remote content management via

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WebDAV, supports SMTP, POP and IMP email protocols and provides anti-spam services, and can dynamically assign IP addresses whilst protecting network resources with IP filtering firewall and DHCP. Furthermore it can organise IP-based workgroups using the DNS and SLP protocols, share user and group information between servers, and allow network administrators to unify and control system configurations network-wide with Macintosh Manager and NetBoot.

At the same time, Apple's iServices has been expanded to provide a system of training and certification for system administrators.

The Macintosh G4 Server is available in three configurations. The 'Fast' system, at £2099, comprises a 533MHz Power Mac G4 with 1MB L2 cache, 256MB RAM and a 60GB hard disk with optional SCSI card. The 'Faster" system, at £2799, shares the same specification but is built around a dual-processor 533MHz Power Mac G4 with 2x1MB L2 cache and also adds a 4-port ethernet card. The 'Fastest' system, at £3849, comprises a dual processor 533MHz Power Mac G4 with 2x1MB L2 cache, 256MB RAM and a 72GB hard disk; it also includes a dual-channel SCSI card and a 4-port ethernet card. All three systems have CD-ROM, an ATI RAGE 128 Pro graphics card and gigabit ethernet.