Next Meeting

Agenda - Wed, June 17th, 2009 @ 1 PM

Local MCX by Ben Martin, Student Computing Labs, University of Utah
Mac OS X supports features for central client management. The term Managed Clients to refer to this feature. It is usually abbreviated as MCX (“Managed Clients for Mac OS X”). Usually MCX is administrated using a network directory services such as Open Directory or Active Directory using additional software like Centrify DirectControl or Likewise. Or using a dual directory called "Magic Triangle" where Active Directory provides user authentication and Open Directory provides MCX. Or you can use Local MCX's settings and distribute them with tools like Apple Software Restore(ASR), Apple Remote Desktop(ARD), radmind, etc.

This presentation will go over how to create and capture Local MCX settings using Workgroup Manager and then how to deploy these captured settings to your Mac OS X clients.  While the SCL Mac Group uses Radmind to distribute these MCX settings there is no reason you couldn't easily distribute them with ARD or ASR if that's your chosen deployment tool.  You just need to be moderately comfortable with the command line and use a couple simple scripts.  Then you can have all the power of MCX even though you have no control over your central service directory.  I would imagine that Workgroup Manager's MCX power will only grow with the arrival of 10.6 so having this implemented could be a real boon for your client management needs.

---

Retrospect 8 by AJ Boldan, Department of Pathology, University of Utah
The venerable backup tool, now in its third decade and published by EMC Insignia (original developer Dantz was acquired a few years back) has been revitalized in version 8, now shipping, with scores of features that bring it to reasonable parity with the Windows version of the applicaiton. Simultaneous execution is supported now, along with advanced disk-to-disk backups, faster catalog rebuilds, single-write/multi-read operation, improved networking and tape drive support, and media & catalog cross-platform compatibility with the Windows version.

This presentation will give an overview of Retrospect 8 new features and experience using it at the Department of Pathology.

---

DeployStudio by Richard Glaser, SCL, University of Utah
With the NetRestore End of Life, DeployStudio offers another solution for image management with great flexibility and ease of use. DeployStudio leverages Apple Software Restore and can be used locally from an external hard drive/partition, or remotely using images hosted by a server.

DeployStudio provides an array of features designed to make it easy to use. An assistant is available that can be used to configure a DeployStudio installation as well as to create either a NetBoot set or bootable external drives for use with clients. DeployStudio's administration application, which can be run locally on the server or from a remote workstation, allows administrators to monitor connections to the server and the progress of active deployments.

This presentation will give an overview, demonstration and experiences using DeployStudio.

---

Open Discussion
Questions, comments, problems and fixes.

---

Directions
For directions to the Marriott Library Multimedia Center where the SCL Mac Support group is located and where the monthly Mac Managers Meetings are held see this web page.