SnowLeopard Server to help our manage our Macs in an AD environment. Our
primary goal was to allow the students to authenticate with the same
username and password on either platform. Secondary goal was to have a
little control over the users on the Mac and to be able to update software,
etc on the Macs (I use WSUS for the PCs in my network). Like Rick, I am
used to having AD and scripts to lock down certain functions. Mac's OD
serves the same purpose on the Macs, and is able to pull in user info from
AD.
The MacMini is cost effective for what we needed: we're not saving files on
this server; we're not (yet, at least) using the server for broadcasting
podcasts or email; we've a very small deployment of Macs. We've received
excellent tech support and guidance from our Apple rep. The key, according
to Apple, is the 'golden triangle': configuring the client machine to see
both Mac's Open Directory and Microsoft's AD.
Things are off to an okay start so far, with some limitations I haven't yet
figure out.
Dan Berger
Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation's Capital
Washington, DC
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Carl Campion
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 8:23 PM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Managing Macs in a Windows Environments
I agree with Jason. To get the "mixed environment" to work well we
used Apple Pro Services to do the initial set up. This included
setting up three Xserves and binding them to the AD . We also had
them import all the student directories off of Windows servers and a
Mac server and roll them into the XServes. Pretty amazing what people
can do with scripting. Two of the servers are for the student
directories(using both SMB and AFP) . The third is a wiki/blog and
Noteshare Server.
This past summer we contracted Apple Pro Services to set up Deploy
Studio so we could re-image all the Macs on campus(about 110).
Considering the time saved and flexibility it is well worth the money.
Our pre-sales engineer who has school experience in a mixed
environment has been invaluable. He wrote the initial description of
the services needed.
Carl Campion
Archmere Academy
On Sep 10, 2009, at 7:59 PM, Jason Johnson wrote:
> A word of caution here ARD != Group Policies. The nearest Apple
> equivalent is the Workgroup Manager which you receive as part of an
> Apple Server. If you have a large mac implementation (i.e. between
> 50-150 depending on your IT department and infrastructure) I would
> recommend considering investing in an Apple Server and connecting
> it to your Windows AD system and storage servers. It will likely
> save you time and money in the long run and is effectively a GP
> equivalent.
>
> In lieu of that Casper is likely your best option as mentioned by
> others. It is a stop gap measure that allow those who cannot
> invest in or support a significant Mac infrastructure to include
> macs as a sub-set of a windows infrastructure. There is a tipping
> point where Casper is no longer better than investing in a Mac
> server but that is both a hardware and staff cost equation.
>
> You can cobble together an alternate solution with ARD, Carbon Copy
> Cloner, plist modifications and a host of other free utilities for
> under $500 but it is not recommended and requires a significant
> amount of time from an experienced mac pro.
>
> You may find some better answers through communities at:
>
> http://www.macenterprise.org
>
> and
>
> http://www.afp548.com/
>
> Or by talking to your apple rep about professional services.
>
> _J
>
> ____________________________
> Jason at jasonpj@yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Rick Castorani <rcastorani@aimpa.org>
> To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 1:34:39 PM
> Subject: Managing Macs in a Windows Environment
>
> We are just beginning a one to one program with our high schoolers
> using the 13" aluminum macbook. We are all very excited and can not wait
to get these in the hands of the students. I, on the other hand, come from
a windows networking world where everything from default printers to mapped
> drives to advanced permissions is easily controlled by group policy and
logon scripts.
> I am starting off with apple remote desktop but I feel that I am
> missing something. Those of you who are, or have been, in my situation,
> what do you use to manage your macs??
>
> Thank you so much in advance! Hope your school years have started
> out well!
>
> Rick Castorani
> Technology Coordinator
> Academy in Manayunk
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