macOS Server Updated for Sierra With New Setup Assistant Options and More

I still wish one of the servers they offered was a host-your-own iCloud server.

Would this be useful to use if I am just using my Mac Mini as a Plex and iTunes Server? I am always looking for ways to minimize the OS footprint and optimize the performance.

If nothing else, you should look at installing as a caching server. It's very simple to setup and can really help on big update days like today.

I still wish one of the servers they offered was a host-your-own iCloud server.

That would be perfect

If nothing else, you should look at installing as a caching server. It's very simple to setup and can really help on big update days like today.

True. With some macs, iphones and ipads it does save some bandwidth. Apple recommend to use the ethernet port. http://help.apple.com/serverapp/mac/5.1.5/#/apd74DDE89F-08D2-4E0A-A5CD-155E345EFB83

I like this idea, but it would probably such a small fraction of people who would actually make use of it that they probably don't want to put any energy into developing it. Probably so many apps and services that hook into iCloud that just testing all the different use cases would be a nightmare.

I think the appeal is broader than you say. Sure, for individuals, paying the monthly icloud fee is the best way to go for a number of reasons. However, think about all the professionals that like to use iOS devices, but are obligated by various laws or regulations to protect data extra carefully.

Lawyers owe a duty to their clients to keep client data confidential. Doctors and other health-care professionals have to comply with various HIPAA data storage regulations. Anyone doing business with Europeans have to take extra care of personal data per various treaties.

In some of these cases, not knowing exactly where your data is physically stored could be seen as a per se violation. I think it would be quite a good solution to some small businesses, which are too small for a huge IBM or Cisco enterprise software, to just be able to host their own icloud server, and let all their docs, spreadsheets, pictures, and app data live there. They can choose to implement a security policy as strict or as relaxed as they deem appropriate, with some policies that Apple doesn't support in their own icloud (e.g., I would configure my icloud server to only respond to known whitelist of MAC addresses).

I would pay $500+ for a version of OS X Server that had this. Surely many other small businesses that are required to take their data seriously but also like using iOS devices would too.

Notably, there is a good market for this. Netgear's ReadyNAS, Western Digital's MyCloud, Synology, etc. They all offer pretty good hardware/software that does what I described. But none of their solutions integrate with iOS as well as iCloud does. If a business that loves iOS is willing to spend $5000 on a good Synology setup, surely they would spend $1000 to buy OS X Server that includes iCloud server.

See something on twitter today about a patent for an iServer they may come out with.

Sounds like the infamous iHome ('https://macminicolo.net/10/').

Unfortunately, this article mixes up the macOS server package on the one hand and one of its services - though the most exciting one, i.e. Apple's MDM solution 'Profile Manager' - on the other.

In case you want to run macOS server in the cloud (especially to manage your mobile devices), this tutorial will help a lot:
https://medium.com/@JoshuaAJung/managing-your-mobile-devices-in-the-cloud-using-apples-own-mdm-solution-8a588d9724b6

By also activating the calendar, contacts and messaging services, you can build a pretty complete iCloud replacement.

I still wish one of the servers they offered was a host-your-own iCloud server.

Why has this not happened yet?

I like this idea, but it would probably such a small fraction of people who would actually make use of it that they probably don't want to put any energy into developing it. Probably so many apps and services that hook into iCloud that just testing all the different use cases would be a nightmare.

I do also have my external drive connected to this mac mini and I back up my macbook to it

Time Machine server would allow you to back up over the network without having to physically connect the drive to the MacBook. Might be worth it for the convenience factor, but it's up to you. For a $19.99 app Server does provide quite a nice set of other features as well.

Would this be useful to use if I am just using my Mac Mini as a Plex and iTunes Server? I am always looking for ways to minimize the OS footprint and optimize the performance.

Not really. Server is mainly useful for Time Machine, hosting a web site/email server, and some more advanced options over the built-in OS X File Sharing. Plex and iTunes sharing would be handled by those specific apps.
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If nothing else, you should look at installing as a caching server. It's very simple to setup and can really help on big update days like today.

That is something I need to set up, should help with having multiple Macs.