That is the question I will set out to answer over the next month or so. My existing setup looks like this:

Large, old Compaq server running Windows2000 as a domain controller, external DNS, and Exchange server. Dell PowerEdge 1550 server running Windows2000 as an internal DNS, file server, external web server, and DHCP server. Old Dell Optiplex PC running OpenBSD 3.3 as my firewall.

What I intend to find out is if I can replace all of that gear with a single Mac Mini. I may need to add an external firewire drive depending on how much space I need. The wild card for me is the firewall. OpenBSD has been rock solid and gives me an extra sense of security. I know OS X has a firewall built in to it and I know I can drop down to the unix level to manage ipf, but it is still not OpenBSD and pf. Maybe the firewall will stick around.

I’d also like to do all of this without purchasing OS X Server. Just the OS that comes out of the box. Hook it up to the 60″ Sony as a monitor and I get to eliminate a lot of heat generating, electricity consuming hardware. And a half rack as well. My mini Data Center would get to finally become the bathroom it was always supposed to be.

I don’t know. We’ll see. I am doing my research now. The Mini isn’t everything I need it to be yet. I want 512MB RAM standard. I want bigger, faster hard drives. I need the rest of the market to catch up and come out with accessories and drive bays that look just like the Mini. Then I have to back the thing up.

I want a lot. I’m just not sure that it is there yet.

We’ll see if I end up taking this one on.

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If you have a broadband Internet connection (cable modem or DSL) you should head over to http://www.skype.com and download their Skype client ASAP. Doesn’t matter if you have Windows, OS X, or Linux, they have a client for you. Probably works best with a headset, but I find it works good enough with my PowerBook’s internal mic and speakers.

How about a conference call with up to 4 other people, all talking at once? Looks like these guys may have finally got the IP telephony thing right. I haven’t seen any issues with firewalls or natting either. Very nice job.

Start keeping in touch with those friends and neighbors all over the world. Nearly 65 million people have downloaded it and I usually see over 1.2 million on at any given time. Looks like voice mail is coming next, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they charged for that one. Speaking of charging for it, it is free for the computer to computer calls, but you can also “SkypeOut” and call a landline phone for around 2 cents a minute.

Very slick. Did I mention it is FREE?!

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