Get X11 Forwarding In macOS High Sierra

This is expected. All Server settings and data are preserved during the update, and you can use the Server app to finish setting up previously configured services after the update. If you're upgrading from macOS Server 5.6.3 or earlier, learn about changes introduced in macOS Server 5.7.1. Download DosDude’s Catalina Patcher Tool to aid in downloading a full macOS Catalina installer. Upon opening the Patcher Tool, you’ll want to click Continue until you see this screen and can click Download a Copy. If you try downloading Catalina from the App Store, you may get a partial installer app that won’t work with AutoDMG. Download macOS 10.15 Catalina. Upgrading to macOS 10.15 Catalina is a two-step process: backup and install. After creating a backup, the next thing to do is download the macOS installer from the App Store. It may take a few minutes to download depending on your internet connection.

I needed to forward X11 output from one of my Linux servers recently to run virt-manager (manager for virtual machines in KVM), and because it’s been a while I had to download and install X11 server again.

As some of you know, Xorg server is no longer shipped/installed with macOS by default. So you have to download it from XQuartz page: https://www.xquartz.org/releases/index.html. Usually you do it, install it and that’s it – no additional steps are needed.

But things are slightly different for the macOS High Sierra, apparently.

Macos Server Catalina Downloads

The latest release hasn’t been updated since 2016 which I believe is before High Sierra – which explains why things don’t “just work” anymore. Fear not though – I tracked the issue down and it’s explained below.

UPDATE 03/2019: MacOS Mojave works just great, you may skip Step 3 in the procedure below.

Steps to get X11 Forwarding in macOS High Sierra

Download and install the latest release from xquartz.org website
Start XQuartz
IMPORTANT: verify xauth locationSSH configuration file /etc/ssh/ssh_config might contain path to xauth tool, which may be incorrect depending on your OSX/MacOS version. Here’s how to check:

Macos Server Catalina Download Iso

if this returns nothing, you can skip to Step 4 below. If this gives you an output, compare it to the path from the next command:

If the locations differ, update the /etc/ssh/ssh_config file:

Connect to remote server using -X option which does X11 forwarding for SSH:[email protected]:~ $ ssh -X centos.unixtutorial.or
Check the DISPLAY variable, it should now be set correctly:

That’s it for today!

See Also

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

Article ID = 225
Article Title = How To Obtain/Download macOS Server for Catalina
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 9th October 2019
Article Last Updated = 13th November 2020
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?225
Article Brief Description:
Details of how to obtain/download macOS 10.15 Catalina Server aka macOS Server 5.9

How To Obtain/Purchase/Download macOS Server for macOS 10.15 Catalina

WARNING: Apple has gutted macOS Server and removed most/all of the useful Server features!

macOS Server 5.9 was replaced with macOS Server 5.10 in 2020. However, you can still purchase/download macOS Server 5.9 from the Mac App Store:

From The Mac App Store - If You Have NOT Purchased macOS Server Or OS X Server Previously

Macos Server Catalina Download Free

You need to install the latest version of macOS (currently macOS 11 Big Sur) and purchase the latest version of macOS Server (currently v5.11.1) first.

Download and install macOS 11 Big Sur on a compatible computer:

Use a different computer to the one that you currently have an earlier macOS / OS X installation on (if you have one).
Install macOS 11 Big Sur to a spare internal storage volume (if you have one).
Install macOS 11 Big Sur to a spare partition/volume on your boot drive (if you have one).
Install macOS 11 Big Sur to an external storage device e.g. hard disk, SSD, or even a USB stick.

Once macOS 11 Big Sur is installed and you are booted from it, make sure you are connected to the internet by using a web browser to go to Apple.
Go to the latest version of macOS Server (5.11.1) on the Mac App Store .
This should open the Mac App Store application (if it doesn't click the 'View in Mac App Store' button).
In the Mac App Store application click the 'Buy' button.
Enter your Apple ID and password if you are not already signed in to the Mac App Store.
The macOS Server 5.11.1 software should start to download (an icon will appear in your Dock with a progress bar).
When the macOS Server application has downloaded it may automatically launch and ask you to continue.
If it does, do not click Continue yet.
Quit the macOS Server installer application (yes, quit it).
Now you can go to your older macOS / OS X installation and download/install the earlier version of macOS / OS X Server - see the instructions below.
If you used a computer/storage device that you do not own, you should securely erase it/sign out of the Mac App Store + delete macOS Server (from the Applications folder), after successfully installing the older macOS Server version on your own computer using the instructions below.

From The Mac App Store - If You Have Purchased macOS / OS X Server Previously

These instructions will only work if you have already purchased macOS / OS X Server. If you haven't already purchased macOS / OS X Server, please go to the instructions above first. Macos

To be safe:

Restart your computer.
Quit all running applications.
Disconnect all external devices except for monitor, keyboard, mouse and required storage volumes.
Eject all optical discs.
Unmount all servers.

Make sure you are connected to the internet by using a web browser to go to Apple.
Go to macOS Server on the Mac App Store .
This should open the Mac App Store application (if it doesn't click the 'View in Mac App Store' button).
In the Mac App Store application click the 'Buy', 'Get', 'Download' or 'Install' button.

NOTE

be careful here as Install may actually install a different/incorrect version

Enter your Apple ID and password if you are not already signed in to the Mac App Store.
The Mac App Store will warn you that the current version requires a later version of macOS but you can download an older version that is compatible with macOS 10.15 - click 'Download'.
The macOS Server software should start to download (an icon will appear in your Dock with a progress bar).
When the macOS Server application has downloaded it may automatically launch and ask you to continue.
If it does, do not click Continue yet.
Quit the macOS Server installer application (yes, quit it).
Go to Macintosh HD > Applications and make a copy of/backup the 'Server' item e.g. zip it and/or copy it to another disk or a DVD-R
Go to Macintosh HD > Applications and open 'Server'.
Click Continue, agree to the EULA and then click Continue to download and install the rest of the Server software and finish the configuration.
Follow the on screen instructions.
Once macOS Server has installed you should go to Apple menu > App Store… > Updates > and update all other Apple software (An Apple ID may be required for some updates).

A