Introduction of Apples on MS System..

[swiftysw1]

Hi,

I am based in South Wales.. Uk.

 

Currently have a Win 2008 server 'system' with 500 workstations (Xp and 7)..

 

As of Sept we are introducing Apples \ Pads etc etc.

 

Can someone help me\step trough what is needed etc..

 

i.e. How are students able to access their files etc from ipads\macs?? What apps would they need. (Curr We use Ms office 2010)??

 

I am NOT apple trained!

 

Thanks

Si

 

Any schools we are able to visit etc??

[Steve21]

Isn't this the kind of thing you should consider before deciding to add them? Seems rather silly decided 2 months before you want them in the school.. Just my opinion anyway.

 

The short answer, is iPads DONT intergrate with MS systems. There is no individual logons, there is no file sharing by default etc etc.

 

Best you can normally do is get an app, or use webdav etc to access files, but then it's all done via login over browser, nothing smart/auto login etc.

 

There's no logging of what users access web etc, as there is no logon on the ipads.

 

Apps depends what you want to do with them, again kind of needs to be thought about before buying Is this a classroom set? If so what departments etc? Per pupil? But again seeing UK can't use VPP, only real choice you have is to make lots of itune accounts, and copy them to the iPads etc not exactly "legal" but no other choice for UK currently. (When I say no legal, I mean it in the sense you're supposed to have 1 itune account per person etc, as then you buy 1 copy of app per device/user, but it seems to be the "done" thing in the UK currently)

 

In terms of macs again, What do you want to do with them? Are you running OSx? Or putting dualboot on them? Are you using mac servers, or just linking to AD?

 

 

Not trying to be rude, just seems like this is one of those decisions that comes, and no-one has a clue as to why Without a clear picture of what you're using them for, or trying to get out of them, hard to suggest answers.

 

Steve

[swiftysw1]

Thanks for the reply...

 

Its the same old.. SMT found money... Was thrown at project...

 

I have to find a solution!

 

Thought I would post to get advice.... ;(

[clareq]

Macs can be integrated into an AD structure, which allows logon using AD credentials, and access to their home folder. Look on here for "magic triangle" It's advisable, and easier, to have a mac server to manage the macs. The ipads, as mentioned before, are a totally different issue.

[Steve21]

Thanks for the reply...

 

Its the same old.. SMT found money... Was thrown at project...

 

I have to find a solution!

 

Thought I would post to get advice.... ;(

 

Aye, Always seems schools manage to find money for macs/ipads, but nothing else when asked for

 

As mentioned though, Is there specific departments these are for? Are they 1-to-1s or classroom? What departments? etc.

 

Depends what they're for as best options, e.g. Most 1-to-1s deal with apps by giving the students gift vouchers, and they add them to their own itune accounts. If it's classroom sets obviously this isn't the case, and you'll need to setup your own itune accounts for the devices.

 

Is there any reason students needs to create/save documents on the iPads? Or can they just email them to themselves? Removes the need for accessing storage/home drives etc.

 

Do you have any byod/guest wireless networks that require logins to access internet? If not you basically either don't give it to them, or it'll be there but no logging as to who's viewing what sites, and if something happens (e.g. unfiltered porn) gets accessed, how is it dealt with?

 

Are any of your teachers creating documents/apps/ebooks? If so have you considered you'll need a developer or business account to be able to give out the books/apps?

 

Steve

[mavhc]

You can link Macs to your domain pretty easily, logons will work, they'll get the home directory mapped. Of course your scripts won't work. You can get MS Office for them, map some printers manually.

 

When you create your user on the Mac to be the administrator, don't name it the same as any AD users though.

[ste1988]

save yourself some time and get a mac server, if only so you can add a few preferences and setup deploystudio, will save you so much time rolling out.

[MacGeek]

The comment earlier about there is no way to track what users do on iPads is not true. We are using smoothwall and doing IP auth for students and U&P auth via the smoothwall app for guests.

[Rozzer]

I have a few guides on my blog which maybe helpful. HowToMac.co.uk

 

Hope they help.

 

Ross

[Danp]

Have a look here for iPad management too http://www.edugeek.net/forums/netbooks-pda-phones/95215-free-ipad-management.html

[tom_pearson]

Hello Si,

 

I would highly recommend paying for a consultant to get your Apple network set up and connected to your Windows infrastructure, it saved me a lot of time and effort initially, it allowed me to concentrate on getting proper training to support the system rather than trying to patch it all together incorrectly and suffer the consequences!

John Roberts (who's on this forum) installed ours, he is also based in the South West. No doubt he will show himself in this thread soon enough

 

The whole iPad thing is slightly different, our school is just beginning to buy lot's of iPads alongside a fleet load of staff iPhones and so far the management has been pretty simple (I use Apple Configurator + AirWatch).

I've been playing around with Webdav, but at the moment staff have found it easier to send documents from the ipads to themselves via pre-configured generic email addresses attached to each device. Not a pretty set up but it works.

 

Let me know if you're nearby Taunton as I could probably arrange a sneak peak at our set up.

[swiftysw1]

Let me know if you're nearby Taunton as I could probably arrange a sneak peak at our set up.

 

How is the best way to contact you to hopefully arrange a visit??

 

Thanks

[JR-PCS]

Hello Si,

 

I would highly recommend paying for a consultant to get your Apple network set up and connected to your Windows infrastructure, it saved me a lot of time and effort initially, it allowed me to concentrate on getting proper training to support the system rather than trying to patch it all together incorrectly and suffer the consequences!

John Roberts (who's on this forum) installed ours, he is also based in the South West. No doubt he will show himself in this thread soon enough

 

Thanks for recommending my services Tom.

 

Simon (swiftysw1) - I would have to agree with what Tom has said, that looking at the lack of time you have been given by SMT to figure out a plan it is probably best that you involve a consultant like myself that can recommend what you need and then install it and give you training on how to support it in the future. I'm not allowed to contact you on here as I'm not a paid advertiser but if you are interested in making contact look at my profile on this forum for my website url.

Edited June 19, 2012 by Dos_Box

[speckytecky]

In your position I'd give EduMac of this Parish a shout Education Mac, Apple Education Consultant I was in a similar situation and bought a Mini Mac Server to form a Magic Triangle Ross (for a very reasonable fee) came in and set it all up for me. Saved mr a load of grief and my Art Teacher is now happy Mac user!

[JR-PCS]

In your position I'd give EduMac of this Parish a shout Education Mac, Apple Education Consultant I was in a similar situation and bought a Mini Mac Server to form a Magic Triangle Ross (for a very reasonable fee) came in and set it all up for me. Saved mr a load of grief and my Art Teacher is now happy Mac user!

 

I remember all those years ago when I installed the mac server and setup the golden triangle for Ross at the school where he is the network manager.

[Rozzer]

I remember all those years ago when I installed the mac server and setup the golden triangle for Ross at the school where he is the network manager.

 

Yeah can't believe that was 6 years ago how the times have changed!

 

Ross