Working With Mount Records


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.

Attribute

Purpose

Example Value

RecordName

The server's name and the full path to the folder that is to be mounted

mainserver.pretendco.com:/shared_folder

VFSType

The type of mount, set different for each protocol

For AFP, the value is url. For NFS, the value is nfs.

VFSLinkDir

The local folder where clients will mount the share point. Dynamically mounted share points always have a value of/Network/Servers/.

/Network/Servers/

VFS Opts (for AFP)

Mount options

Two values: net and afp://;AUTH=NO%20USER%20 AUTHENT@mainserver. pretendco.com:/shared_folder

VFSOpts (for NFS)

Mount options

net


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:

  • Look for network problems. Check physical connections and try to ping the server. Try other services from the same server. If more than one protocol is affected, you should troubleshoot your network connection.

  • If you get a login dialog but can't mount the volume, the connection is good and authentication is the most likely problem. Verify the user name and password. A good way to do this is using id and su from the command line.

  • If you have a problem mounting from the Finder, try mounting from the command line. You may get more information from error messages.

  • Verify the permissions of the folder you're mounting on.

  • Verify that the URL you are using is correct.

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.




Apple Training Series. Mac OS X System Administration Reference, Volume 1
Apple Training Series: Mac OS X System Administration Reference, Volume 1
ISBN: 032136984X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2005
Pages: 258
Authors: Schoun Regan

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