Using dsconfigad in ARD

I would like to use 'Send UNIX command...' to change the Preferred Domain controller on all my Macs. I beleave I can do this with the dsconfigad without having to un-bind and re-bind from AD (but I'm not sure).
Any ideas if it can be done, and if it can, what would the command be?

dsconfigad -preferred dc.company.edu
You do not need to unbind first since this is just the "preferred" DC, not changing the domain your bound to.

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Can ARD be used to clone like 10 machines at once?

I have used the net restore in the past, but recently we purchased ARD and was wondering if this can be done since it would be easier to do with eithernet than firewire cable.
If it can be done, what do I need to do? I already made my master image using netrestore.

No. ARD does not have that feature.
Enable NetBoot on OS X Server to do a Network Restore.

Using ARD from Xserve to Xserve

We currently have two offices separated geographically but each office has an Xserve running the server software. Both servers act as routers, DHCP, and NAT, etc for computers that are internal to each office. We host our own email, web, DNS, etc ourselves although the server in one office does most of the work with the server in the other office acting as a backup and to act as a router, etc for the other office.
I am trying to use ARD 3.1 to connect to the computers in this other office so I can both do asset management and offer help to users as well as other tasks. So I want to be able to use the full abilities of ARD.
Reading through the posts it seems that the best way to connect the two is either to use a series of VNC connections and port forwarding or to set up a VPN connection between the two servers. After some effort I set up VPN on the second office computer and I can open a VPN connection from the computer that I use for management here in my office.
However although ARD will find a single IP number the network range is not successful in finding any computers. Trying to connect to a single known IP will result in a successful verify but the connection always fails. The user that I am testing with has installed the client software and everything seems to be on but it still doesn't work.
At this point I don't know what to do. I am not even sure if the VPN connection is working properly. I can not ping any of these IP numbers so I am wondering if this means it (VPN) is not working properly.
Any suggestions as to how to proceed would be most appreciated.
various Mac OS X (10.4.9)
various Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Well I never did get any answers to my question but in the end with some experimenting I solved the problem. And the solution was quite simple.
I wanted to be able to use ARD to support users in another office as well as my local office. Both offices have an Xserve running server software. Both servers provide internet access for the computers in each local intranet.
I first created a VPN connection on the second xserve using the builtin tools provided. Then I made sure that the firewall was open to the VPN connection.
From the computer I use as the ARD admin user I opened up a VPN connection to the second computer.
At this point it did not seem to work. I tried various things to fix it, many of which have been suggested in this forum. None of them worked.
Experimenting with the settings for the Network Port Configurations I moved the VPN port to the top of the dialog above the standard Ethernet connection. Not having much to lose I again tried the VPN connection and ARD and it worked!
ARD was able to find the computers on the second network and connect to them.
various Mac OS X (10.4.9)

SSH / ARD no longer working on 10.6 Server

This happens quite often. Too much for my liking actually.
Randomly SSH or ARD will stop working.
SSH, Port 22 Connection Refused.
ARD Not Active.
Makes no sense. Both Remote Login and Remote Management are on in Sharing Prefs Pane.
SSH should never, ever get turned off, ever, or Connection Refused (for / from me).
If I can at least get to the server via SSH, I can then use the Kickstart ARD command and get ARD going again.
I also can not ssh to server using their FQDN, even though they are in the DNS. I have to use their IP addresses only.
Any ideas.
thanks,
John

Look at the server side:
/var/log/secure.log
This is where sshd sends its error messages.
If the information does not contain sufficient details, you can modify the server side
/etc/sshd_config
Changing:
#LogLevel INFO
to:
LogLevel DEBUG3
Notice that the # comment character is also removed.
Now restart server side sshd by stopping/starting System Preferences -> Sharing -> Remote Login
Now go back and look at
/var/log/secure.log
After the next failure. NOTE: you shoudl most likely restore /etc/sshd_config back to its original state after you figure out what has gone wrong.

ARD asking for serial number at every launch

Hello,
Apple replaced the logic board in my laptop last week. Since getting the machine back, a lot of software needed to have its license info re-entered, but ARD is persistently asking for its serial number to be re-entered every time I launch the app.
After removing all of the obvious Remote-Desktop-related files from /Library/Preferences and ~/Library/Preferences, a first launch of ARD prompts me to accept the EULA, then create an ARD master password, then asks for the serial/name/organization, followed by Task Manager and report collection setup screens. Subsequently, a quit/relaunch brings up the serial/name/organization screen and the Task Manager setup, which is exactly what I began seeing after the logic board replacement.
As a workaround, I have my ARD serial loaded in TextExpander, but I'd appreciate some suggestions on what I have to do to fix this permanently. In every case when it's presented the serial number dialog, going back to the very first time after the logic board swap, it's pre-filled my name and organization from the first time I registered ARD 3, so there's clearly some data squirreled away that I haven't been able to find yet.
I'm using direct-sale ARD 3.6.1, on 10.8.2. Thanks for your time.

Another attempt to help.
Create a new user and see if ARD works any differently in the new account.
If not, then just consider this another bump
Allan

New ARD User

Hello all,
I have an iMac Flat Panel (with Mac OS X 10.4.2) and an iBook (same system). Now, I got ARD because I wanted to control (access) my desktop at home from the iBook at work. But, also, I am helping some relatives with theirs, too (all recent machines and updated systems [OS X 10.4]). One is in Texas while another is in Oklahoma. There may be more as soon as the relatives find out I'm helping...
So, there are times I want the iBook to be the administrator (while I'm at work), and then there are times I want the iMac Flat Panel to be the administrator (when I'm home) and I'm accessing those other computers in another state.
Therefore, can I legitimately use the ARD Administrator on both of my computers without problem and do what I'm thinking of doing? I'm the only one using it as administrator and can only use it one computer at a particular time, anyway.
I was wondering if there is any problem if the one computer has the administrator installed (at home) -- in that that computer might also be accessed by the same administrator program on the iBook (when I'm away from home).
And, I also assume that there are no problems connecting to those other Macs, across the Internet, when those computers are on cable connections (with their own IP numbers).
Thanks for any help.

From a technical standpoint, yes. But legally, you would need to purchase two copies of ARD. The license for the ARD administration application restricts it to being installed on only one computer at at a time.
Thanks for your answer. It seems kind of silly, since I'm going to be the only person who will use it and it's impossible for me to be on both ends (i.e., both computers) at the same time when they are in two different locations. But, I appreciate the answer. It's good to know those things.
I guess it would involve removing and re-installing the program each and every time I move from one computer to the next. Is that what Apple would want me to do -- legally speaking? As I said, it does seem sort of silly, but if that's the only way to do it, then I guess one must do the silly thing.
As to connecting via the Internet, as long as there are no routers, firewalls, etc. between you and the systems you want to access that will block the ports ARD uses (3283 and 5900), it will work. But often that's not the case.
Well, I am also testing out Timbuktu on these machines to see how that works. And even though I'm just testing the Timbuktu right now, I have actually purchased the ARD, and intend to use that one. So, I guess I'll see how the ARD works at a distance, over the Internet.
With Timbuktu, so far, I've tested it on the iBook at a T-Mobile Hotspot while the desktop is on a cable modem connection. And it worked fine with Timbuktu. I'll try the very same set-up with ARD and see if it works as good as the Timbuktu does.
AND -- that brings up another question. Is there any problem using Timbuktu and ARD on the same computer? I think I read somewhere (on this forum) that another user "chained" Timbuktu and ARD together (going in to one machine with Timbuktu and then using ARD on that machine to administer others on a local network). That's interesting. And if that's so, then I guess that's the answer to my question. (Don't you like it?... I ask and answer my question at the same time...)
But, I thought I would still ask and see if anyone else had any problems with that kind of setup (i.e., Timbuktu and ARD on the same machine...).
Thanks for any help.

Install ARD 1.2 Admin on Tiger

I have the ARD 1.0 Install CD which I have used to install ARD 1.0 on to my Tiger-enable Mac. However when I launch ARD I get the message "The Remote Desktop software doesn't appear to be installed correctly. Please verify it is installed and restart this computer." I installed it as an administrator user. I cannot find an updater for ARD Admin 1.0->1.2. Can anyone tell where I can find one should there be one?

Sorry, but it's not possible. Tiger will only work
with ARD 2.2, client or administrator.
Hi there
I managed to obtain from a colleague the update for Remote Desktop Admin 1.0 to Remote Desktop Admin 1.2 - it is on the Apple site 'somewhere'. Installed it and it works fine. I use it to control my 50(!) OS 9.2.2 clients with ARD Client 1.2.4 installed on them.

ARD Commands

Good afternoon:
I'm looking for two seperate commands:
1. I'd like to be able to log an entire lab in with a common user name and password without having to touch each screen
2. I'd like to be able to push out new Active Directory binding settings to a group of computers (i.e. change smb to afp)
Any assitance is appreciate!
Thanks,
Jay
P.S. Any good reference books out there on this topic that you'd recommend?

For multiple user log on use:
osascript <<EOF
tell application "System Events"
keystroke "username"
keystroke tab
delay 0.5
keystroke "password"
delay 0.5
keystroke return
end tell
EOF
For number 2 and assuming there's an existing AD configuration:
dsconfigad -protocol afp
Or:
dsconfigad -protocol smb
If you're trying to do one from scratch and using example.com as the example assuming you want all the "bells and whistles" you could use:
dsconfigad -f -domain examle.com -u ADadminname -p ADadminpassword -ou OU=Computers,DC=example,DC=com -preferred IPAddressofDC -localhome disable -protocl smb -passinterval 0
Run the commands root.
I don't know of anything specific or detailed enough TBH. IMHO looking at the man pages in Terminal is as good a place as any to start.
HTH?
Tony

Running ARD 2.2 on OS 10.5

I'm trying to launch ARD 2.2 on a MacBook Pro running OS 10.5 and not having much luck. It begins to 'install required components' but before it can finish it quits.
Found an article on apple's website that lists steps to use to install ARD 2.2 on Intel-based macs (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303128). In step 3 it says to select ARD in the Sharing preference pane but ARD isn't listed there.
Is ARD 2.2 incompatible with OS 10.5?
If so, what are my alternatives?
Thanks!

ARD 2.2 is not supported on Leopard. At least one user (raus), though, posted here that he got ARD 2.2 to work in Leopard. Here's what he did: from the Finder, navigate to:
/System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteMangement
From the folder, delete (or move) the ARDAgent v3.X file. Reinstall the 2.2 update for ARD on the Apple site. (This may be optional; the original poster just reinstalled the update to be safe.) You can reportedly now run Remote Desktop 2.2 in 10.5. This works for PowerPC and Intel Mac.
Note, though, that this is completely unsupported by Apple and may or may not work, or may cause issues. For proper support for Leopard, you need ARD 3.2.
Good luck.

Dsconfigad will not show configuration in terminal

Using dsconfigad I have previously been able to bind to our local domain. All was good for a while. Then my logins started not finding the network servers. Now when I login using a local login and run sudo dsconfigad -show in terminal it looks at me for a second then goes to the next line with the same prompt. It shows none of the configuration and gives no error. Below is what I see in terminal . . .
12-imac:~ user$ sudo dsconfigad -show
12-imac:~ user$
What is preventing this from getting the settings? What am I doing wrong?
I've repaired permissions with no change.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
John

Ok, so if you are getting the Unable to connect error I would suggest confirming that time and DNS are set properly. So first, get the IP address of the DC. Enter that IP address in the network time address in System Preferences > Date and Time. Uncheck the box to stop the time client and then check it again to start the time sync between the Mac client and the DC. Then open Terminal and enter this command:
ntpq -p
This is the Network Time Protocol Query tool and the -p is to pole for a time packet. You should get a result that has a jitter value with a decimal number, something like 000.001.
Now once you have that correct, then make sure DNS is working as expected. This includes checking on your SRV records. Without them, the whole process falls apart. Use these commands:
# Test Kerberos port 88 tcp
          host -t SRV _kerberos._tcp.domain.tld
          # Test Kerberos port 88 udp
          host -t SRV _kerberos._udp.domain.tld
          # Kpasswd port 464 tcp
          host -t SRV _kpasswd._tcp.domain.tld
          # Kpasswd port 464 udp
          host -t SRV _kpasswd._udp.domain.tld
          # gc (AD Global Catalog) port 3268
          host -t SRV _gc._tcp.domain.tld
          # LDAP port 389
          host -t SRV _ldap._tcp.domain.tld
In all examples, replace the domain.tld with your actual domain. Make sure you are getting results on each of these commands. If DNS is not set properly then you will not be able to auto-discover the server for the bind.

ARD 3.2.2 does not warn user on impending shutdowns

Hi, I am using the latest ARD (I think) and even though I have Attempt Restart, Allow Users to Save Work, it won't on updates that require a reboot. The RAWCameraUpdate is a recent example. Any ideas? thx!!!

forget about it I guess, it's just broke. i have started sending users warnings of impending shutdowns via ARD message facility, at least they are being warned that way...

Error in accessing ARD client 2.2.1 from ARD admin 3.2 via Airport

Hi all,
I was successfullly accessing mac-mini machine having ARD client 2.2.1 which was connected to ethernet cable from ARD admin 3.2. But now when I am trying to access same mac-mini machine which is now connected to airport, I am getting following error:
Machine is having old ARD client/agent.
Even though, ARD 3.2 supports ARD 2.2.1, why am I getting this error? How to resolve this error?
Thanks,
Palav

Because Chicken of the VNC doesn't use the full ARD client, only the VNC portion. The error you reported:
Machine is having old ARD client/agent.
is exactly what I'd expect when accessing a 2.2 client from ARD 3.2. You will need to update the client version to 3.2, and that will require that the ports in the Airport base station be open and forwarded so that the ARD administration application can get full access to perform the client upgrade.

ARD 3.5.2 unable to connect to 10.7.4

I just purchased ARD 3.5.2 to control my 10.7 computers. I turned on Remote Management on a 10.7.4 computer and have my laptop, also running 10.7.4 with ARD 3.5.2 which I just puchased. My ultimate goal is to be able to conduct virtual sessions without the screen sharing overhead.
No matter what I do ARD is unable to connect, it says Connecting to ComputerName and never completes the connection. If I try to just use Screen Sharing and turn off Remote Management it never opens a screen sharing sessions. TB2 is on this machine, I want to get rid of TB2 and just use Lion and ARD.

Seeing this problem too. At first I thought it was one of my scanners, but I've removed all of those and the problem persists.
For me though, it typically works on launch. Often I'll launch, remote control a client, then as soon as I end the session, the main browser window will be frozen. Or if I launch ARD, and let it just sit, it will typically freeze within 5-10 minutes.
A full reinstall is kind of out of the question. I have so many stored templates, rebuilding all of that would be daunting. I'll probably just have to struggle by until 3.5.2.
Update: I see there's a Presets folder down in ~/Application Support/Remote Desktop/. Going to try backing up and restoring that after a reinstall. Crossing fingers...

ARD and Bonjour

Hi all, quick question.
I have ARD deployed across my entire network of 60 Macs and everything works as it should. However, today, I came across a problem. A coworker came into the room with his MacBook (not connected to the network) and asked me to take a look at something, I agreed and since he needed to keep his computer in front of him while he was typing something up, I tried to connect using Bonjour. ARD couldn't find the computer. I couldn't figure out why so I checked out the settings on his MacBook and found that everything was enabled, firewall was off, should have been perfect. Bonjour didn't find any computers at all. Why? Is there something you need to do to enable Bonjour ARD access? Any help is appreciated.
ES

I would love an answer to this one too. I'm in my own two-computer environment, and the 2nd machine (the one I'd like to control) can only connect via Airport (there is no cable drop nor will there be one to allow an ethernet connection). I can see the 2nd machine, it shows up in the Bonjour list, but it is perpetually 'offline' so no ARD for me. Advice? Help?

ARD broadcast storms?

Recently our entire 1000 node network was crippled by the repeated use of the ARD to push software to multiple clients (one at a time was fine) In reading online it appears to me that ARD is designed to deliver UDP datagrams to the endstations by means on sending them as Broadcast packets meaning all ports on all switches are immediately flooded by the traffic that is really only important to the 2 or more clients being pushed to. If this app is designed this way, what on earth is Apple thinking? Our host Mac is connected to a Gig port and the rate at which broadcasts were being sent was off the scale until the broadcast storm throttles on the switches kicked in but by that time, and even at the throttled rate, the harm was widespread. Can someone explain to me why any app would use the process of a broadcast to deliver content? Is something misconfigured?
Thank you

I think you can reduce the impact of the storm on a switch by setting a maximum number on UDP broadcast packets. Unfortunately, with UDP packets there is no error correction, so packets that arrive after the maximum has been met are dropped, which will cause your Remote Desktop session to fail.
Another point to consider is that it does not matter what version your servers or clients are running as far as OS X. You can run the Remote Desktop Application from a workstation or server, as long as it meets the OS X requirements. The broadcast packets are spawned from the application, not the underlying OS.
So far, no word from Apple on this. We have been limping along, having to manually run our updates one computer at a time. We support about 100 Macs at our company, and have updates for various applications about once a month.
Maybe Santa is just late bringing me what I wished for?

Using dsconfigad in ARD

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