Chapter 4. User and Group Management


4. User and Group Management

Populating a server with all your users and groups can be a potentially daunting task. You can always use the command line to add users, but within the graphical user interface, there are two additional methods: using the Accounts preference pane or Workgroup Manager. Of the two, Workgroup Manager is the preferred tool used to populate user, group, and computer accounts on Mac OS X Server. While the interface for Workgroup Manager is an obvious holdover from the older Macintosh Manager, it does improve a bit on that design.

Workgroup Manager also includes numerous efficiency-enhancing features. You can quickly make widespread changes by selecting and configuring multiple accounts simultaneously. A User Presets tool can decrease the amount of time it takes to create similar user accounts. Furthermore, Workgroup Manager has an Import option that lets you input new users from many types of external sources.

Before you begin setting up accounts, take time to consider how you're going to organize your users and groups. On Mac OS X Server, groups are used for more than just individual file and folder permissions; they're also used to define access to share points, Web sites, email groups, and managed workgroup settings. Also, if you're configuring users and groups on an Open Directory (OD) master, it's important to consider how your groups will integrate with Mac OS X computers. Remember, any groups in an LDAP directory are accessible to computers that authenticate against your OD master.

If you have anything but local users you can manage specific settings for each user when they log in from a Mac OS X computer that has been bound to the Mac OS X Server on which you're working. In other words, they have no account on Mac OS Xonly on the serverbut they can authenticate and log in. Before you start typing in user and/or group accounts, plan what you want to accomplish. You may find that an organizational tool, such as a group outline or flowchart software (for example, OmniGraffle from www.omnigroup.com), can help you plan the best implementation for your needs).




Mac OS X Server 10. 4 Tiger. Visual QuickPro Guide
Mac OS X Server 10.4 Tiger: Visual QuickPro Guide
ISBN: 0321362446
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 139
Authors: Schoun Regan

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