Customize The User Template

[mtdmitchell]

I have followed a few of posts regarding Customizing The User Template, this works when logging on with user created on the mac but not when logging on as a network user?

 

For example i have removed items from the dock which apply to the new local user, but the Network(W2K AD) user does not inherit the template?

 

What an i missing?

Edited December 10, 2009 by mtdmitchell

[mbrunt]

You can do this, but dont you have workgroup manager?

[mtdmitchell]

workgroup manager? I dont have a MAC server.

[mbrunt]

ah right ok, you could import the mac schema into your ad... or just customise templates, but its not very simple.

[mtdmitchell]

I'm really looking for the easiest solution to installing a suite of 20 mac's (which management purchased)

 

i was hoping to just restrict the account's though use of the default template, but it doesnt seem to work.

 

MY MAC knowledge is very limited.

 

When a new user logs on which template applies to them? I thought it would be the English.lproj

Edited December 10, 2009 by mtdmitchell

[iSteve]

It would be easiest, especially if you are going to get any more Macs, to get a copy of OS X Server to manage the preferences on these machines in the same way you use GP with AD. Any old Mac will do to run it on (eg a 2nd hand Intel Mac Mini if cost is an issue)

[mtdmitchell]

It would be easiest, especially if you are going to get any more Macs, to get a copy of OS X Server to manage the preferences on these machines in the same way you use GP with AD. Any old Mac will do to run it on (eg a 2nd hand Intel Mac Mini if cost is an issue)

 

Your Probably right, im jusy trying to aviod having another system to manage and learn!

[mtdmitchell]

Would this be the correct version?

 

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=390857&Tab=2&NoMapp=0

Edited December 10, 2009 by mtdmitchell

[mbrunt]

Yeah thats snow leopard, what version of clients do you have?

 

A "mac expert" once said to me that there was a file you could customise that would basically be similar to the default users profile in xp per say, but i've not managed to do this so that it actually works yet.

 

Are your macs logged onto your domain as well, or are they just local accounts? If you want them to logon to your domain but get preferences from your new mac server then you'll have to implement the "magic triangle".....fun times!

[mtdmitchell]

Yeah thats snow leopard, what version of clients do you have?

 

A "mac expert" once said to me that there was a file you could customise that would basically be similar to the default users profile in xp per say, but i've not managed to do this so that it actually works yet.

 

Are your macs logged onto your domain as well, or are they just local accounts? If you want them to logon to your domain but get preferences from your new mac server then you'll have to implement the "magic triangle".....fun times!

 

Hi Thanks for the replies, I have Mac OS X Snow leopard i beleive. I have binded the macs to the Ad and yes they are on the domain. That part actually was easy and seems to work well.

 

" magic traingle" Great more stuff to learn about.

[mbrunt]

the idea is simple. clients authenticate to active directory, but get settings from open directory (mac server). The settings you can push out are similar to those you push out via group policy in windows.

[MarsRed]

If you want to do it without an OS X Server (since you don't have so many Macs), you can modify the local MCX prefs on using Workgroup Manger (locally).

 

You can download Workgroup Manager here: Server Admin Tools 10.6

 

When prompted to authenticate to Workgroup Manager, use "localhost" as the address and your admin username/password. Then click on the Machines tab (picture of a rectangle, next to a picture of a group of people), click on the local machine, and modify the preferences as you want to.

[mtdmitchell]

If you want to do it without an OS X Server (since you don't have so many Macs), you can modify the local MCX prefs on using Workgroup Manger (locally).

 

You can download Workgroup Manager here: Server Admin Tools 10.6

 

When prompted to authenticate to Workgroup Manager, use "localhost" as the address and your admin username/password. Then click on the Machines tab (picture of a rectangle, next to a picture of a group of people), click on the local machine, and modify the preferences as you want to.

 

Just what i needed thanks

[mtdmitchell]

If you want to do it without an OS X Server (since you don't have so many Macs), you can modify the local MCX prefs on using Workgroup Manger (locally).

 

You can download Workgroup Manager here: Server Admin Tools 10.6

 

When prompted to authenticate to Workgroup Manager, use "localhost" as the address and your admin username/password. Then click on the Machines tab (picture of a rectangle, next to a picture of a group of people), click on the local machine, and modify the preferences as you want to.

 

Hmm do i need to extend the schema on AD to use this tool?

 

as i get an error when trying to change a preference on a local computer

 

"Error while saving record "amac-02"

 

error 14140

[mbrunt]

are you trying to configure each machine locally? if so then you don't need to touch your ad.

 

if you are centrally pushing these policys out to all machines per say then you need to extend your ad.

[mtdmitchell]

are you trying to configure each machine locally? if so then you don't need to touch your ad.

 

if you are centrally pushing these policys out to all machines per say then you need to extend your ad.

 

Just locally, But selecting the Local option from WGM i can only see local user accounts no mac machines. Authenticating to the Active Directory / All domains allows me to manage the preferences for the macs MACS

Edited December 11, 2009 by mtdmitchell

[MarsRed]

I'm not sure about the AD part, but you should be able to see the local machine when you authenticate locally. Double check that you're selecting the Machines tab (the first two 'tabs' are users and user groups, so maybe you're seeing those?).