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ÂThe user uses the same mobile account to log in to two computers simultaneously. This might create sync issues with the two computers, causing the computers to display error messages.
Login and logout syncing should be carefully managed because a user’s login and logout is delayed while files are syncing. If a user has a slow network connection or is syncing many files or large files, the user must wait for syncing to complete before using the system.
If you want to sync parts of a user’s ~/Library folder, you must use login and logout syncing. Syncing the ~/Library folder retains users’ bookmarks and application preferences.
Consider syncing smaller files (such as preference files) at login and logout, while syncing larger files (such as movies) in the background. This reduces login and logout times because only preference files sync, and movies sync throughout a user’s session (instead of while the user is trying to log out). You can further reduce network traffic by choosing not to sync the movies folder, requiring users to access the movies folder locally.
By balancing login and logout syncing with background syncing, you can reduce the time required for logging in and logging out, while retaining consistent, synced home folders.
Setting Up Mobile Accounts for Use on Portable Computers
When distributing portable computers, you face challenges that don’t apply when deploying stationary computers.
For example, to ensure your portable computers remain managed while off the network, you must give users mobile accounts and prevent them from creating their own local accounts, or from changing settings to bypass management.
Configuring Portable Computers
When you distribute portable computers to users, you must configure those computers to prevent users from circumventing your management scheme.
To set up portable computers for use on your network:
1Install the operating system, applications, and utilities.
Most computers come with Mac OS X installed. However, to install a newer version, make sure the computer meets the minimum requirements for installing the operating system, applications, and utilities.
2Create local accounts on Mac OS X computers.
Chapter 8 Managing Portable Computers
