DEP and computer names

[mconners]

Hi Folks,

We have our DEP setup in our JSS and the computers and the iPads are all showing up just fine. What I am struggling with is the computer name piece. I know we can assign names based on serial number, MAC Addresses or a list of computer names.

Am I missing something because I don't see how the computer names list is supposed to work. I can see the list from Apple and I can reconcile this with our inventory of new equipment so I know what asset tag is assigned to what computer and its serial number.

So with that in mind, how do I create this computer list and what are the requirements of the list so I can use it appropriately? Anyone else using DEP with their JSS? I know I have to name the computers correctly in order to bind them to AD.

Thanks

[joshuasee]

I've struggled with this as well, particular since the _mbsetupuser means you can't count on GUI access to prompt a technician for a name during automated enrollment. Right now I'm generating temporary names with a script, and then changing them once enrollment is completed, accepting that the AD name won't necessarily match.

If you're not averse to scripting and slugging the names into a file somewhere, you could use the jamf setComputerName -fromFile feature.

There are feature requests related to this dealing with this problem, so there is likely to be a more elegant solution in the future.

[stevewood]

@mconners I think you are mixing two different things up: DEP and PreStage Imaging. With DEP there is no way that I know of to provide a list of serial numbers, MAC address, or computer names to name a computer. However, there is that mechanism with PreStage Imaging.

Currently, as far as I know, there is no way to pre-populate names for your devices in DEP. I may be wrong about that, but I've checked my DEP workflow, and I do not see a way.

The only method would be to do something like what @joshuasee mentioned, and script the naming of the computer. Depending on your naming convention, you could use a Policy set to trigger on "Enrollment Complete" and re-name the computer before binding to AD.

[ImAMacGuy]

we setup a self service policy, the machine is enrolled, self service auto-open, they go to the section and runs the Self Service policy, which prompts for computer name stuff, it's worked pretty well for us.

[mconners]

Thank you for feedback, this has been helpful.

Steve, you are right, I think I may have been mixing the two of the things together and I didn't mean to do that. We can easily grab a Mac off the list and add it to the workflow and all works well. It is during the pre-stage imaging phase that is causing some angst as you have mentioned.

John, is there any chance you could share your workflow/script for naming the Macs via self service? Just curious how you have it working.

Thanks again!!

mick

[ImAMacGuy]

#!/bin/bash
#Freddie Cox for Knox County Schools
#Edited by Justin Ellis
#2012

COUNTRY=`/usr/bin/osascript <<'EOT'
 tell application "System Events"
    activate
    set COUNTRY to text returned of (display dialog "<enter dialog here>" default answer "" with icon 2)
end tell
EOT`
REGION=`/usr/bin/osascript <<'EOT'
 tell application "System Events"
    activate
    set REGION to text returned of (display dialog "<enter dialog text here> "" with icon 2)
end tell
EOT`
MODEL=`/usr/bin/osascript <<'EOT'
 tell application "System Events"
    activate
    set MODEL to text returned of (display dialog "<enter dialog here>" default answer "" with icon 2)
end tell
EOT`
TAG=`/usr/bin/osascript <<'EOT'
 tell application "System Events"
    activate
    set TAG to text returned of (display dialog "<enter dialog>" default answer "" with icon 2)
end tell
EOT`

ComputerName=$COUNTRY$REGION$MODEL$TAG

#Set New Computer Name
echo $ComputerName
scutil --set HostName $ComputerName
scutil --set LocalHostName $ComputerName
scutil --set ComputerName $ComputerName

echo Rename Successful