Customizing Desktop Environment for AD User

[dolivieri]

Hi all.

We are a little new to JAMF and AD here and have been experimenting with the Casper Suite on a test machine for a few months now. A little background... we have a pretty linear classroom that we've targeted as a pilot environment during the Summer Break. FC Studio 3, CS6, very flat stuff. We've built a managed desktop environment that we're happy with and have now bound the JSS and test client to our AD server.

Upon authenticating to AD with a test/non-admin network account, the preferences that we specified in the base image with a local admin account are gone. Is there a best practice for scoping policy or profiles to individual network users? We've noticed that some configuration preferences that were scoped specifically to computers are in tact (SystemPref pane lockdowns, for example) but we've lost some OS preferences that were configured in the base image after logging in with a network account (Finder prefs, custom Dock, etc.). Also, we're not using OD services or mobile accounts. Sorry for any vagueness, any input from well-seasoned admins would be helpful and greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[JPDyson]

we've lost some OS preferences that were configured in the base image after logging in with a network account

You need to update the default user template, or move those settings to mcx/configuration profiles.

[Kprice]

Good Morning and Welcome.
Settings for Finder and Dock items are specific to the user so when set under a local admin, will not carry over to another user profile, Local or Network. Controlling these settings in Casper depends on the OS that you are running as Configuration Profiles are for 10.7 and later.
I use MCX to Mount Hard Disks on the user desktop for computers that require this. I have added Dock items via Policies scoped out by user login and also added dock items with Configuration Profiles.
You could always set the dock as you like under a local admin and update default user template so that all users will pick up the settings at first login. I don't need to always do this, but did have a user that needed the Dock Apps to be setup in a specific order for teaching purposes (I still believe it was OCD).

[dolivieri]

I'll give that a shot, thanks for the feedback!