Mobile Home

After having a lot of initial trouble with OSX server, I'm giving it a second chance and have been setting up my network users. 
I'll have 6 primary users who each tend to use the same computer each day, but definitely will end up using some of the others.   So, I thought that putting a mobile home on their primary computer might be smart.  would give me a backup of sorts in case the server was ever down.  but, is this possible?  to setup their account to only give them a mobile home on 1 computer and for them to use their regular server based network account if they log in anyplace else.  second, is this smart, or is it asking for trouble?

Network user accounts with mobile home sync is perfect for laptop users. They use their laptop and only their laptop where they can come and go from the office as they please. Mobile home sync provides them with a local copy of their account so that their environment is preserved when they don't have access to the server. It works just like any any other local user account other than it syncs periodically, or not, with the corresponding network user account on the server the laptop is bound with. The ONLY time the mbile account on the laptop matches what is on the server is after a logout sync. At no other time are they identical (even then they're not but it's close enough to not cause data issues).
Network user account however have only the one copy of the account… on the server. Because of this a user can log in and out of their account from any computer they choose.
FWIW I use a network user account with mobile home sync for my own user account on an rMBP.

Similar Messages

  • Mobile Home problem with Magic Triangle

    So I have been setting up a magic triangle for the past few days with an OSX Lion server.  I believe it is working properly.  The server is running OD and is bound to my AD.  I have made an OD group which contains my AD users, and I have set that OD group to have limited application preferences (one of them is to block the App store).  All my users have MacBook Airs which they will take off-site, so I enabled mobile home folders in the AD bind and in the OD group mobility settings (with confirmation required).
    When I tested it today, with Airs running 10.7.4, here is what happened.
    When the system was on the network, it would log a user in, ask to create the mobile account, and successfully create it.  Once logged in they were limited to the application preferences that I set on the server.  I considered this a complete success.
    When I disconnected them from the network, I had expected that they would still be able to log in and the system would fuction the same way with the exception that they would not sync their changes until they were back on-site.
    Instead...
    When the same user trys to log in it says the AD server is unavailable and then logs them in anyway.  However, once they are at the desktop, none of the permissions are in place.  They can go to the app store, or do anything else they feel like.  Once they are back on the network, all the server based preferences reappear and lock the system down.
    So my questions are:
    1. Should a mobile account based system compain that it cant find the AD domain when offsite?
    2.  Why is it not checking some cached verison of the permissions and locking down the notebook when offsite?  I can tell that it is caching the user name and password (as loging in as a user the air has never seen before will simply give a login error), as it will let them in, but it is not holding any preferences. 
    3.  How can I prevent users from simply disconnecitng from the network to bypass all my server based policies?
    Hope someone can help

    Hi,
    I'm having a similar problem with exactly the same setup, our clients are 10.7.4 wired not wireless the OD server is 10.7.4 and the clients are authenticating via an AD 2008 R2 domain.
    We've had this scenario in the past running 10.5 and 10.6 without any problems but with 10.7.4 the clients' MCX settings are lost when they're not connected to our network. It seems to only lose the settings applied to user groups but not computer groups.
    At this moment in time I don't have an aswer I'm still looking, have you found a solution?
    I know configuration profiles are the way forward and in the future I'll move over to them but they don't seem to work that well with PHD's at the moment.
    If anyone has any thought on this it would be much appreciated.
    Thanks,
    Jay.

  • Report on Mobile Home syncing

    Hello,
    Does anyone no of a way to check that the computer on a network are syncing their mobile directories properly?
    A report stating which users are uptodate would be really nice??
    Many thanks for any help,
    David Lee

    Sorry for the delay in reply.
    After revisiting this issue i tried the following based off your suggestions:
    Deleted that mobile home from the macbook pro.
    On the server reset the permissions to the users mobile home folder
    Set server to "create moblie home" - save.
    Again,  when loging in on the macbook pro with the users credentials.
    It goes through the process and creates the user but brings none of the content.
    The sync starts and finishes within 3 secconds.
    What I ended up doing was creating another user on the server,  tried the same steps as above.  ALL GOOD.
    I then manualy transfered content from the old user mobile home ot the new and everything is syncing perfectly!
    I'm wondering if perhaps that users old home folder had horrible file corruption or some sort of permissions issue. Or perhaps that this just wasnt meant to work between 10.7/8 and 10.9
    His user folder was syncing fine with his 2005 Macbook Pro (running 10.7)?  None the less it all worked out.  I'll then ensure the new home folder has all the info and delete the old user.
    Thanks for your help!
    -Mike

  • Mobile Home Sync damaged my settings. iCloud Keychain only partially restored. What can I do?

    Mobile Home Sync (I'm using Mobile Accounts from OS X Server) on my desktop suddenly started syncing what it should not, all stuff that is normally excluded from a PHD sync, such as contents in Library. I stopped it, but not fast enough to prevent all damage. One thing that was damaged was the 'lock screen with password on sleep' setting and apparently as a result of that (or a combination of that) the iCloud Keychain was gone.
    I was able (after some trouble, the Security & Privacy tab of System Preferences came up blank at first) to set the password on unlock from sleep, then I reattached the iCloud keychain. But the keychain only has a small part of what was in there and many passwords of web sites seem to be lost. Also interestingly, when trying to login to this community, some sort of iPhoto/Flickr login/password was suggested.
    I also have a laptop that was not damaged. Is there a way I can get the keychain from there and use it to repair the keychain on the desktop?
    PS. Apple: can you please after years and years of neglect repair Mobile Accounts and Portable Home Directories? iCloud is not only far from complete for that (a half-ready solution if at all) and it also means your data is synced outside of your domain (which is not always legally allowed). Mobile Accounts is so broken that I have started to use Synk to make sure some parts (such as the iPhoto Library) still can be synced to the server. And (as the above shows) it is quite capable of damaging the data on your system (rather a definite no on my list).

    Adding to  this: the autofill information in Safari is lost as well. Can I copy that over from another machine?

  • Mobile homes unreliable and unstable

    We are having major problems with Apple's mobile home sync. I hope you can help. I will also contact Apple support. When I hear something useful from them I will get back to this topic and add the info.
    We have a studio of 20 graphical workstations and we've had issues that users did not backup their home folder/work. After a lot of discussion and contemplating we bought a new server for mobile homes. So, users have their home folder where they do all of their daily work and every morning and evening when they login and when they logout their home folder is being synced to the server so that all their latest work in on the server. The server is being backupped every night so in this way all data will be backupped and save. That was the idea…
    But unfortunately mobile homes seem to be very unstable and unreliable and we are having several issues. Although people login and logout every day without any problem and homesync informs us that syncing goes fine it doesn't sync everything. All home folders are having issues. When I check the backup the most recent data is not in the home folder where it should be. When I check the home on the server it isn't there, or documents are there but not the latest. When I check the home on the workstation it is there where do user put it. When I check the sync status it says everything is OK and the latest sync is of that day. So that is (major!) issue one.
    Issue two is that I've had two users complaining that they move their data around in the home folder, just doing their work, and when they log in the next day their data is on the OLD place AND the NEW place. Very time consuming for them and confusing and it is very obvious that the sync process doesn't work.
    Another issue is that I've had a couple of users already complaining that when log in they get sync errors. Nothing major in most cases, a file being in use or something and the next sync it syncs without a problem. But now for 3 users it seemed that their folder had problems syncing and whatever I do, I cannot get the folder to sync again, without any clear reason in the logs. I end up deleting everything in their home on the server, delete all appropriate sync caches, preferences, the FileSync folder in the library and the .FileSync folder in home and thus creating a new sync again. Only then when I do the first sync, the syncing process starts working again.
    Important to know is that every user has their own workstations and that they do not change workstations. So in that regard they have all their data in one place, THEIR workstation, and that data has to sync one-way: to the server. I could imagine that when people change stations on a regular basis it is hard for the sync system to keep up with the latest changes, but that can't be the issue here.
    Any help, tips, solutions, comments, etc. etc. are very much appreciated.
    Server: Xserve 2.25 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon with Mac OS X Server 10.6.4
    Workstations: Various iMac intel stations with Mac OS X 10.5.8 or 10.6.5

    Aren't you going to run into update conflicts when someone back at the office updates files you also update when offline?
    Perhaps a cellular data plan would solve your problem?

  • Mobile home sync causing log cruft

    Has anyone seen this error in system.log when someone is syncing from a mobile home directory?
    Feb 23 19:13:38 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 0 vp == 0x13e291b0 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    Feb 23 19:13:38 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 8 vp == 0x13e291b0 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    Feb 23 19:13:38 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 2 vp == 0x13e291b0 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    Feb 23 19:13:38 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 8 vp == 0x13e291b0 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    Feb 23 19:13:38 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 0 vp == 0x125ecd80 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    Feb 23 19:13:38 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 8 vp == 0x125ecd80 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    Feb 23 19:13:38 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 4 vp == 0x141e15a0 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    Feb 23 19:13:38 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 4 vp == 0x144cc6c0 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    Feb 23 19:13:39 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 4 vp == 0x14182360 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    Feb 23 19:13:39 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 0 vp == 0x13fb8d80 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    Feb 23 19:13:39 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 8 vp == 0x13fb8d80 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    Feb 23 19:13:40 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 4 vp == 0x14182360 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    Feb 23 19:13:48 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 0 vp == 0x1420e5b0 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    Feb 23 19:13:48 mail kernel[0]: add_fsevent: no name hard-link! dropping the event. (event 8 vp == 0x1420e5b0 (-UNKNOWN-FILE)).
    From what I understand, there isn't anything to be concerned about, this is the OS doing cleanup, but it is a bit worrysome that my logs are being filled with this.

    I, too, have had the same problem since April 27, 2009 - that's when my last sync date is set.
    However, when I look at both my iCals on my Macbook and my iMac and my iTouch, everything is synced.
    And when I click on Advanced, the date is different than in my sync icon in the finder bar.
    Anyone have any info on this?

  • Mobile Home Directories not syn'g address book on login/out

    Mobile Home Directories should be sync'g ~/Library on login and logout .. but its not syn'g anything in !/Library .. so address book changes are not being sync'd.
    Any ideas?
    /s

    If you're managing the Portable Homes (home sync) preferences via Workgroup Manager, you need to adjust the items that are excluded on login/logout. Look in Workgroup Manager > Preferences > (select user, computer, computer group, or group) > Click Mobility. Then look in the Rules section for Login & Logout Sync. By default, ~/Library is excluded from background sync, but not from login/logout sync. (Did you exclude it there?)
    Another possibility is that you're excluding ~/Library/Application Support/Sync Services, which contains the Address Book data. That item *is excluded* from login/logout sync by default.
    --Gerrit

  • Using MDM with Mobile Homes

    I could definitely use some help! I work for a school that's currently running a 10.6.8 Open Directory server. We use mobile homes throughout the school so students and teachers log in on any machine using their OD credentials to access their accounts. We currently use Workgroup Manager to manage preferences on these accounts. As examples of what we do, students will have restrictions in System Preferences, everyone has specific apps on their docks, etc. This summer we're looking to upgrade our servers and client machines to 10.9.
    I've been through the 10.6.8->10.8 OD upgrade with my previous employer and there we decided not to use Profile Manager and just use WGM. We found the preferences were a bit buggy under 10.8 (mostly issues with signed apps, but some sync issues as well). So in my current role we'd like to rip off the WGM bandaid and move into profile management. We're looking at using Airwatch as an MDM, which creates user and machine profiles just like OS X Server's Profile Manager does. I understand that mobile homes are still supported in 10.9, but what I'm unsure of is how the user managed preferences work.
    How does the profile sync up with the user? Can profiles be done by group? Do all machines on campus need multiple user profiles installed so they can discern between teachers and different ages of students? Anything else I'm missing?
    Thanks so much for your help!
    -Rebecca

    Thank you for taking the time to respond.  How do I enable ICS?  And are there wireless switches or can I network all this wireless.? 

  • Mountain lion Server import accounts & mobile home folder

    Hello,
    I am new to OS X Server and I have two questions.
    First here is the situation.
    We are a small company with 10ish mac (Mini, iMac & MBP) running.
    So far we had the client account on the machines.
    I want them to be server hosted from now. I have a dedicated Mini 2012 for such a use. Everything Gigabit connected.
    So here are my questions:
    1. How can I Import the acconuts from the different machine including home folder to the server?
    2. For some users, on specific machines i would like to creat mobile home folders.
    Is this possible?
    I created Mobile home folder and it works flawlessly but anytime a user login it creates a mobile folder.
    I would like to specify on which machine the account is mobile. On the other machine i want it to be server based.
    Thank you in advance for your Help.
    G.

    Additional info: it appears that certificates are not working either: setting up ical: "the certificate for this server was signed by an unknown certifying authority."...

  • Initial Sync and Mobile Home Creation

    Hello,
    I have been using PHDs successfully in an OD environment for some time now, but currently am having an issue with the initial sync when a user logs onto a new workstation.
    Some background: We are using PHDs as pseudo-network home folders due to limitations in Pro Tools and its inability to function while working off of a network based home. Not ideal, but it's where we are at if we want to allow users to move from room to room but without using network homes...
    Our environment:
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    - Separate server acting as home folder host (we'll call it afphome)
    - Clients managed by OD via computer groups
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    How can I force PHD to do a full "from server" sync when a new home is being created locally, assuming that a network home exists for the user already?
    Many thanks,
    Josh

    Just found your post as I was having a similar problem. Our setup was with all Apple OD though.
    I had exactly the same problem with new workstations having the user setup with the default template. We also had some odd problems syncing specific files we never had trouble with before. Our issue arrived last week when our main sharing and userhomes data drive died and we had to recover from a backup. Once we recovered, everything except for sync of portable home directories came back properly.
    After doing some searching, I figured that I did not stand to lose anything if I shut off Server Admin > our server > Settings > General > Server side file tracking for Mobile Home Sync. Rebooted the server. Suddenly the clients with file troubles sync fine and creation of new users on a new workstation actually duplicates the network user.
    I'm not sure about other implications of shutting off the server side tracking but now we sync correctly again.
    -Erich

  • Alternatives or Solutions to Mobile Home Folders

    Hello,
    I have been using Mobile Home Folders for a while and I can not stand the errors and files that it does not sync any more. Are there any solutions to fix those errrors or an alternative? Even if it just sync the Mail library, Mail is destoryed.
    Thanks,
    Steven T.

    The best option is to sync at only login and logout.
    How many computers do you have?
    An option to sync is to use a backup appliction like Archiware Backup2go. It has the following advantages:
    1.You have one list wher you can see if all computers are backed up or not. Some of my clients computers suddenly doesn't sync anymore for unknown reasons and I have no way of knowing from a central point.
    2. You can easily backup your clients portable computers when they are out of office.
    3. No more time spending logging in on AD connected computers, which can take minutes for the users.
    It is not exaclty as easy to restore a users home folder as it was, ie you need to install an application first and set it up and then restore.
    In my case I set up regular users as AD/OD mobile sync, the management who usually have less understanding of waiting times etc is set up to backup using third party applications instead. Saves my lot of headace.

  • Portable Homes / Mobile Homes and Network Shares

    So, i'm now using portable home and its working pretty well.  Gave up on using Profile manager to configure it and using WGM instead. 
    But, I also have a variety of network share points that I'd like to have available on the road, including when I don't have internet.  Right now, I can access them via VPN which works ok, but is there any way to sync share points just like my home folder?
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    Aren't you going to run into update conflicts when someone back at the office updates files you also update when offline?
    Perhaps a cellular data plan would solve your problem?

  • Will converting to Mobile home folder overwrite existing home folders?

    Hi I have a client who uses entourage 2004 and the users databases (10Gb typical) are stored on the server in their home folders. I was thinking of switching them to mobile home folders so they had a cached copy on their local Mac to improve performance.
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    Thanks,

    Hi I have a client who uses entourage 2004 and the users databases (10Gb typical) are stored on the server in their home folders. I was thinking of switching them to mobile home folders so they had a cached copy on their local Mac to improve performance.
    Will turning on mobile home folders overwrite any existing data?
    Thanks,

  • I live in a mobile home in Torrance, CA which gets good reception with my LG phone, but my Iphone 4 doesn't get good service, any ideas ?

    Hi and thanks for any enlightment on this subject in advance! I recently purchased a iphone4 and it doesn't get as good as reception as my LG old phone does in my mobile home in Torrance, CA . I turned the phone on and off and also removed and reinstalled the sim card. Of course both phones were operating with the same carrier which is at&t. Any other Ideas I might try?

    This is vewry interesting ... I have the exact same problem (distorition with high frequencies when playing ipod music @ 320mbps) with my wife's iphone 4 using bluetooth through the  JVC KWXR816 but not through my iphone 4. Mine plays perfect. 

  • Syncing 10.6.2 mobile home to Exchange 2007 SMB share fails

    I am having issues with Mac OS X 10.6.2 client and mobile homes hosted on an Exchange 2007 server where syncronisation of data between the mobile user's home directory at login and logout fails. This problem only seems to exist with 10.6 clients as reverting a client to 10.5 results in a problem free experience.
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    If the user logs in, the sync again stalls. Stopping the sync allows the user to login.
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    Opening an app and changing the apps default settings does not generate a .plist file in ~/Library/Preferences
    If I copy a file from an external flash drive to any folder in the network user's home directory a 'disk is full' message appears despite the client machine correctly showing that there is 143GB of storage space available on the SMB volume.
    This issue has been causing me major frustrations as it has been a problem for every build of 10.6 I have tested. Does anyone have any clues as to why this may be happening?

    Anything here?
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2029?viewlocale=en_US
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1998?viewlocale=en_US
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3778?viewlocale=en_US
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2627?viewlocale=en_US
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1679?viewlocale=en_US

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