Big Sur box drive system extension?

[tcandela]

Hi - does anyone know the parameters to set to create a system extension for Box drive?

I just installed Box drive on Catalina via Self Service and i was prompted to allow the system extension in system preferences, so i allowed it.

It be good to have this system extension so no one gets prompted.

if it prompted me on Catalina then it probably will prompt on Big Sur.

[Ken_Bailey]

I just opened a ticket with Box. They didn't have any instructions. Not sure if they will even provide necessary info for deployment and system extensions.

[erichughes]

We push it as a Configuration Profile, Approved Kernel Extension.

[tcandela]

@Ken.Bailey @erichughes

I have the kernel extension configuration profile already created, may not have applied it to the Catalina computer. I guess the popup message says system extension instead of kernel extension thats confused me

Does Big Sur prompt for Box Drive system extension ? That my next test

[erichughes]

We are not on Big Sur yet so I can't speak to that part. On Catalina we don't get prompted for any thing other than Allow Notifications at first user login. Its been a bit since I've done a wipe and restore on a system, but it has been working this way for more than a year, Mojave and Catalina. Deploy Box Drive via package and Policy just after pre-stage. Possibly a different experience with Self Service.

[sshort]

@tcandela My org will be deploying Box Drive in the coming months, right now the app only supports a kernel extension to operate properly. That causes headaches for M1 Mac deployments, and means there is no system extension "mode" at the moment.https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360051416514-Box-Drive-on-Apple-M1

[tcandela]

@erichughes @sshort

Eric I have the same kernel extension created for Box drive.
the laptop I'm installing the Box drive is running Big Sur, so I'm assuming the Kernel extension config profile installed on Big Sur will not resolve the System Extension pop-up prompt. So I'm not going to apply the KE config profile on Big Sur, don't see any point in doing so. Gonna wait till the System Extension info is available.

Looks like you can't even use Box Drive until you either manually approve the System Extension in 'system preferences' or you have to use the web version.

[erichughes]

Its stuff like this that prevents my Org from going to BigSur and M1. Trend Micro is another headache.

[tcandela]

@erichughes yep, each new macOS Apple has some new hassle that's gotta be dealt with.

Users can easily approve the system extension but it would be better if us admins can have that step 'skipped' for them.

[tcandela]

Anyone have a Box Drive System Extension Configuration Profile that works with Big Sur  (intel and M1)?

[kmathern]

They have a beta version of the app that works but throws up all the popups that need user approval.  I've got a ticket open with box on the issue and they act like they don't have a clue about what a KEXT or System Extension is.  So in short it does work with Big Sur and M1 but no way to get it to install without users allowing for the popups.

[tcandela]

@kmathern  hey there, just got an email that you replied to this topic.  Yep i also emailed Box support and they answered similarly like they don't know about  Kernel and System extensions.

They told me to send them screen shots of my issue when installing Box, so that's what i'm going to do. 

If you can, also send them those popups screen shots.

[kmathern]

Hi tcandela,
I have already sent them the screenshots that popup during install back in early August. We supposedly pay for priority support and it seems I am getting the same response as anyone else from Box. I’m going to turn this back over to my VP and let him tear into them. System Extensions have been the focus for Apple for over two years now, these vendors need to wake up. If I get anywhere with these guys I will update this thread and let everyone know.

Thanks,

Karl Mathern
Senior IT Support Specialist – jamf Admin

I'd love to connect… Book time with me!! to make finding time easy.

karl.mathern@coalfire.com
COALFIRE | Coalfire.com| (P) 720-907-053011000 Westmoor Circle | Suite 450 | Westminster | Colorado 80021
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[tcandela]

@kmathern  What I'm gonna try is to install it and then use the command to see what the bundle ID information is and all that information and then create a config profile from that.

[wgrover]

Heads up for anyone watching this. I got notice from Box this morning that the new version of Box Drive uses File Provider Extensions now. Worked like a charm for us on Big Sur and Monterey, Intel and M1, after the previous versions being very problematic.

Here's their thread: https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/articles/4407737091219-Using-Box-Drive-on-macOS-File-Provider-Exten...

[amacadmin]

@wgrover, did you happen to test this with Catalina?  I'm a little unclear as to whether or not FPEs are supported in 10.15.7(x).