Mac OS® X Snow Leopard™ Server For Dummies®

Part V. Managing Clients

In this part ...

The more computers you have in your organization, the more there is the need to manage them centrally. You can keep accounts up-to-date and keep track of notebook computers. Central enforcement of policies can prevent troubleshooting of clients.

But it's not about authoritarian control and being the big network boss. Well, okay, there is some of that. But client management also has user benefits. A server-based home folder allows a user to access a home folder from any computer. Notebook computer users can get the benefits of a directory domain even when not connected to the network.

Client management is based on directory services, which I describe in Part II. You may want to review those chapters if you haven't yet set up your directory.

In this part, I cover the concepts for managing desktop and mobile accounts and take you through the steps you need to make it all work.

In Chapter 18, I switch gears a bit, moving on to secure remote client access to the network and other security issues. This is client management in the sense of keeping control of security, which protects the client computers as well as the server. Kind of like your own homeland security, but without having to take off your shoes.