Mac – AD – Computer Check-In Interval

Posted on May 10, 2012 by

You’ll want to look at ‘dsconfigad -passinterval’
There’s no description for it in the manpage other than the usage syntax.
By default it’s set for 14 days. You can see the setting by running
‘dsconfig -show’.

-Eric

On 5/10/12 8:54 AM, “Steve Howe” wrote:

> I can’t answer for the built in as we don’t deploy that anymore but
> the Centrify has a timescale that can be set for how long the
> credentials are cache for. I would expect the built in Apple plugging
> to have a similar setting somewhere under the hood.
>
>
>
> On 10 May 2012, at 13:32, Eddie Wettach wrote:
>
>> We are about to deploy several hundred Macbook Airs (10.7.3) that are
>> bound to Active Directory (Windows 2008 R2). Our question is that if
>> these computers go off campus for a month and then come back will
>> everything still work? I have heard murmors of a machine password
>> that is initatied by the client and that if it doesn’t check in within
>> 30 days then the machine loses its bind or connection to Active
>> Direcotry? Is this true? Is there a way to change this to a longer
>> interval? Any other issues you can see with clients being off the
>> local network for that time?
>>
>> P.S. Our users will login once on campus to setup the mobile account.
>> They will then take them home for about a month and then bring them
>> back on campus.
>>
>> Thanks
>> – Eddie Wettach
>>
>> _____________________________________________________
>> MacEnterprise, Inc
>> http://www.macenterprise.org
>>
>> Subscription Options and Archives
>> http://lists.psu.edu/archives/macenterprise.html
>
> _____________________________________________________
> MacEnterprise, Inc
> http://www.macenterprise.org
>
> Subscription Options and Archives
> http://lists.psu.edu/archives/macenterprise.html

This electronic message, including any attachments, may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged information for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). You are hereby notified that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of this message is prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete it.

_____________________________________________________
MacEnterprise, Inc
http://www.macenterprise.org

Subscription Options and Archives
http://lists.psu.edu/archives/macenterprise.html

Posted in Labs | Tagged , | Comments Off on Mac – AD – Computer Check-In Interval

Mac – Lion – Suppressing iCloud singin request …

Posted on May 9, 2012 by

OK. I found a copy of this file elsewhere and put it in the user template folder, making sure the iCloud variable was set to True.

It seems to be working.

Romeyn

On May 9, 2012, at 9:27 AM, Barone, Gabriel wrote:

> Do you have ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.SetupAssistant.plist? When
> you’re using the defaults command you leave off the .plist extension, but
> the files themselves have them. Seems strange you wouldn’t have that.
>
> —
> Gabe Barone | [email protected]
> Desktop Support Specialist | Providence College IT
> Help Desk: 401-865-4357
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 5/9/12 9:21 AM, “Romeyn Prescott” wrote:
>
>> OK…answering my own question, sort of. (The coffee’s working!)
>>
>> https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/discussion.html?id=3860
>>
>> You were right…DS has an option for it. You can see the
>> “DidSeeCloudSetup” boolean in the referenced script.
>>
>> Trouble is, my lab computers don’t HAVE the file referenced!!
>> (“${USER_HOME}”/Library/Preferences/com.apple.SetupAssistant)
>>
>> 🙁
>>
>> Romeyn
>>
>> On May 9, 2012, at 9:14 AM, Romeyn Prescott wrote:
>>
>>> I’m sure it’s just a variable in a plist. I just need to find it.
>>>
>>> On May 9, 2012, at 9:11 AM, Romeyn Prescott wrote:
>>>
>>>> Oh, that’s a complicated question. 🙂
>>>>
>>>> DS is used to deploy a base, skeleton image. But I manage the Macs
>>>> day-to-day with Radmind.
>>>>
>>>> Romeyn
>>>>
>>>> On May 9, 2012, at 9:08 AM, Barone, Gabriel wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> How are you imaging the Macs?
>>>>>
>>>>> I know DeployStudio has the functionality to suppress it. I’m not
>>>>> sure
>>>>> how it does it, but it means there has to be a way.
>>>>>
>>>>> —
>>>>> Gabe Barone | [email protected]
>>>>> Desktop Support Specialist | Providence College IT
>>>>> Help Desk: 401-865-4357
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 5/9/12 8:44 AM, “Romeyn Prescott”
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I’m finally diving under the hood and getting my hands dirty with OS
>>>>>> X
>>>>>> 10.7. I figured that since I have 160 Macs coming this Summer that
>>>>>> won’t
>>>>>> run anything else I’d better get moving!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My first hurdle: suppressing the “sign in to iCloud” dialog that
>>>>>> wants to
>>>>>> pop up every time a user logs in. Initial Googling is coming up dry.
>>>>>> Then again, I haven’t finished my coffee yet this morning, so…
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>> Romeyn

Posted in Labs | Tagged , | Comments Off on Mac – Lion – Suppressing iCloud singin request …

Java Install

Posted on May 1, 2012 by

Manually installing Java instructions …
http://www.java.com/en/download/help/windows_manual_download.xml

Posted in Labs, Software | Comments Off on Java Install

Mac – Final Cut Studio deployment

Posted on April 17, 2012 by

One approach to Final Cut Studio deployment using Deploy Studio is available at:

http://osxdeployment.com/wiki/Final_Cut_Studio_3_Installer_for_Deploy_Studio

Posted in Labs, Software | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Mac – Final Cut Studio deployment

Mac – System Updates via ARD

Posted on April 13, 2012 by

A script to run system updates via ARD … I like this particular script because it can be run on multiple machines at the same time without killing the network. It also does not run if the machine is in use and it forces a reboot. This script was shamelessly copied from:
http://macadmincorner.com/send-softwareupdate-command-through-ard/

#!/bin/sh

# Random number of seconds to wait
# The more machines you use this with, the higher the number should be
sleep `expr $RANDOM % 120`

if who | grep console; then
echo Machine is in use
exit 1
fi

COMMAND_LINE_INSTALL=1 softwareupdate -i -a
shutdown -r now
exit 0

Posted in Labs | Tagged , | Comments Off on Mac – System Updates via ARD

Video Card Performance Charts

Posted on April 5, 2012 by

Video card performance comparison charts can be found at:

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/

Posted in Articles | Tagged | Comments Off on Video Card Performance Charts

Windows 8 – Windows 8 Deployment Toolkit (WAIK)

Posted on April 5, 2012 by

The windows 8 version of what used to be referred to as WAIK (Windows Automated Installation Kit) is at:
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=28997

Posted in Labs | Tagged | Comments Off on Windows 8 – Windows 8 Deployment Toolkit (WAIK)

Windows 8 – First Impressions …

Posted on April 5, 2012 by

Windows 8 is an interesting new windows version. Microsoft says this is “a whole new way to use Windows” and they aren’t kidding!

For long-time windows users it is quite disorienting at first glance. Just getting logged in presents a challenge of figuring out how to raise the “window shade” on the login window. Once logged in, you are offered the helpful “Start” window. Clicking on one of these presumably often used applications launches that app in a full screen. This then presents the challenge of figuring out how to get back to the “Start” window. Also, after clicking on several applications figuring out how to close those apps which you know are still running in the background is yet one more hurdle. No, there is not an “Exit” function anywhere to be found in those running apps.

From a new windows user perspective, I suppose, the interface is slick. All the confusing computer control functions like the Control Panel and Computer Preferences are so buried that you can only find them if you know they are there and have some clue as to where to look for them. Also, the new windows 8 applications like Reader have slicked down interfaces in full screens with features and options hidden. Other applications like Windows Explorer has the same “ribbon” interface that has become common in applications like Microsoft Word, etc. This, presumably, all makes the new Windows 8 interface more consistent and coherent to individuals that just want to get some work done.

For several “Getting Started” videos, have a look at:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/get-started?page=vid3

For a bit more advanced information, try:
http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/50-windows-8-tips-tricks-and-secrets-1028220

Posted in Software | Tagged | Comments Off on Windows 8 – First Impressions …