Mac clients would then receive their user and group info from the central directory, and their client management data from Open Directory.Īnother option was for admins to write scripts that replicated some of the behavior provided by MCX - usually by modifying plist files with the defaults command or PlistBuddy.įar less frequently used was the option to store MCX data in the client's local directory service. There were a few options: one, often referred to as the 'Magic Triangle', involved binding client Macs to both the organization's central directory services, and to a locally-managed Open Directory server. If your organization did not use Open Directory as its central directory service, and was unwilling or unable to extend the schema on its existing directory service, it was difficult to get the benefits of using MCX to manage your Macs and their users. To take advantage of MCX to manage users, groups, and computers, an administrator uses Apple's Workgroup Manager utility to edit records in a directory service - typically Open Directory, but sometimes Active Directory or third-party LDAPv3 with Apple's schema extensions. MCXįor several years, Apple has had a technology for managing workstations and the user experience, often referred to as MCX, or Managed Client for OS X. The questions go like this: 'How do I manage the screen saver so it always asks for a password?' 'How can I prevent the OS from asking the user if they want to use a newly connected FireWire/USB disk as a Time Machine backup destination?' 'How do I get the Office 2008 Setup Assistant to not pop up for new users?' Or more generally, 'How do I manage the user experience on all my machines?' Nine times out of ten, this question can be answered with 'Use MCX!'. You'll also hear these questions at the Macworld IT track, and at WWDC.

There is a certain type of question that pops up over and over again on the MacEnterprise mailing list, the radmind-users list, and other lists, forums, and discussion groups where Mac admins hang out. Educational Institution and Student DiscountsĬolumn Tag: MacEnterprise MacEnterprise: MCX - No Excuses, Now! New options for managing workstationsīy Greg Neagle, Frequently Asked Questions.

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