Mac OS X computers using network user accounts need to access networked volumes at startup (prior to logging in). Open Directory specifies a mount record, which contains information about these network volumes so a startup process can automatically mount them, regardless of which user logs in. Mac OS X computers prepared for use with network user accounts typically don't store this information in their local NetInfo database, as that information can become out-dated and each Mac OS X computer's NetInfo database would need to be updated manually. At startup, the automount daemon queries Open Directory for mount records. In response, directoryservice plug-ins that have been preconfigured with remote server information search the databases on those servers for mount records. The automount daemon uses the information from any mount records that are returned to mount the appropriate volumes. This type of automount is supported for AFP and network file system (NFS), but not for SMB. The following table lists a mount record's attributes.
For some types of servers, you may not be able to rely on the mount record being stored on the server. You can add mount records to the client's local NetInfo database using dscl, NetInfo Manager, or Workgroup Manager. If the computer won't boot to multiuser mode after you modify the mounts record, delete the record in single-user mode, restart the computer, and enter the data again. If you can browse a computer but you cannot connect, try the following:
Try connecting from a different computer. If the service appears on that computer, find out what is different. Look at Network preferences and Directory Access settings, for example. |