{"id":43895,"date":"2020-01-29T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-29T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/?p=43895"},"modified":"2020-01-28T13:24:51","modified_gmt":"2020-01-28T20:24:51","slug":"mac-join-domain-troubleshooting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/blog\/mac-join-domain-troubleshooting","title":{"rendered":"Troubleshooting: Can’t Join Mac to Domain?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So, you\u2019re trying to bind Mac systems to your Active Directory\u00ae<\/sup> (AD) domain but it isn\u2019t working properly. Perhaps you\u2019re doing so for password policy enforcement, to give access to domain-bound resources and the network, or because a higher-up has asked for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, managing Mac\u00ae<\/sup> systems with AD is not the same straightforward process that it is with Windows\u00ae<\/sup> systems. Macs bind to the domain, but the configuration process poses various challenges to admins working in a heterogeneous environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The challenges you could face will depend on which method you\u2019re using, but we\u2019ll run through common scenarios and considerations in connecting Mac systems to the domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considerations before Binding Mac to Domain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you undertake the process to bind Mac systems to the domain, there are some considerations to keep in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you use Directory Utility, which is an application that comes installed on Mac systems, users will enter their core AD credentials to access their machines, and they\u2019ll also be subject to the same AD password policies as Windows users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, a direct bind won\u2019t get you the same GPO control that you have over Windows systems. The bind is also at risk of breaking, and users might encounter challenges in file sharing. You won\u2019t get user management over the system remotely through AD, either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another thing to note: When AD-bound Mac users change their passwords in AD, they\u2019re prompted to enter their old password upon login. Admins going this route might need to train users to keep their keychain in sync if they change their AD password. This doesn\u2019t address the complications with FileVault2 control either, which can be painful with the addition of Secure Token.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth assessing why and whether you need to bind the machine to AD before doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use Native Tools to Bind Mac<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you do decide to implement a direct bind, Directory Utility is an application that comes installed on Mac systems. Through that application, admins can select Active Directory (or LDAPv3) for configuration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to do so, you\u2019ll need the DNS host name. According to Apple\u2019s Directory Utility documentation<\/a>, you\u2019ll also want to ensure the user has privileges in Active Directory for binding. Don\u2019t use the “.local\u201d domain<\/a> during the configuration, and instead use an official DNS name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll also want to ensure the macOS system is up-to-date. If you want to save the AD user\u2019s files, you\u2019ll need to manually select the option to \u201ccreate a mobile account\u201d during setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using third-party tools, rather than native tools, is another route to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use Third-Party Tool to Bind or Sync Mac<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are various open-source and proprietary options to bind or sync Mac systems with AD. They introduce management capabilities to replicate those of AD with Windows systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The process will depend on which tool you select. Again, there are considerations to keep in mind before you decide which tool to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considerations before Selecting a Third-Party Mac Tool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A third-party tool might be Mac-specific, or it might federate AD identities to a variety of IT resources. Answering these questions can help guide your selection process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n