Mac/iPad/Griffin/Configurator problem

[angoose]

I have a problem with iPads (or the Mac, Griffin cabinet or Configurator)

 

I could live with it when we had 20 ipads, but now that we've expanded to 28 it's annoying me

 

Configurator 2 never recognises more than 18 iPads. Usually the first 18 to be plugged in but sometimes it will ignore one that it did recognise when another one is plugged in.

 

We have a Mac mini acting as a server, 3 Griffin cabinets that can each hold 10 iPads and 28 iPad Airs/iPad Air 2

 

Griffin say it must be Configurator, Apple say we don't support other hardware (Griffin) (how else do they expect to connect up to 30 iPads?), the mob that sold us ALL the kit ignores my emails.

 

I did wonder if there is a restriction on the number of USB devices on a Mac mini?

 

Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated

[XiJ]

As far as I remember configurator supports at least 32 iPads.

 

I would be looking at the griffin cabinet to be honest. Are there any for ware / other updates? If > 18 are plugged in to the all charge at once when not connect to a Mac ? (IE can we isolate a power issue).

 

Do you have a couple of 10 port hubs lying around you can test with configurator ?

[rich_tech]

I remember a similar incident with Griffin Docks with my old school to be honest, I could only plug in 10 or the 16 ipad cradles we had at a time, anything more than one of these plugged in and it wouldn't see the iPads anyway, that was on an iMac server running configurator and then configurator 2

[angoose]

As far as I remember configurator supports at least 32 iPads.

 

I would be looking at the griffin cabinet to be honest. Are there any for ware / other updates? If > 18 are plugged in to the all charge at once when not connect to a Mac ? (IE can we isolate a power issue).

 

Do you have a couple of 10 port hubs lying around you can test with configurator ?

 

I think you may be right about the Griffins, though they are basically USB/charging stations (so no firm or software). There are occasional charging issues, tho' not ones that I can tie to particular ports.

 

Is there an alternative to Configurator to update groups of ipads?

[XiJ]

Once all iPads are supervised you could use meraki systems manager. Although I've never tried the actual OS update command from it. Great for deploying apps etc tho. Edited December 11, 2016 by XiJ

[angoose]

Right - Problem solved

 

Griffin sell a set of usb/lightning leads for their cabinet - at £140 for 10! - which has solved the issue. The iPads are now recognised by Apple Configurator and charge. Considering the cost of the cabinet, you'd think the leads would be included.....

 

A nice lady from Griffin got in touch after I posted a scathing (but accurate) review of the cabinet on their website