Deploy Mac 10.13.6 with Active Directory Integration

[mr_genie_17]

So I'm new on this platform and relatively new as a Mac Administrator. I work in a Mac environment with 10.9.5 macs deployed with DeployStudio. I have been asked to upgrade all Macs to 10.13.6 with Active Directory integration. I would like to know the best solution to use and if I can avoid a paid one. Thanks

[wesleya]

Probably the best you'll be able to do is upgrade and bind these computers. Both can be done using scripts, so it wouldn't be too hard to automate. Here's a link to the upgrade process:

Streamlining your macOS upgrade process

Here's a link on using Directory Utility and dsconfigad:

Directory Utility: Configure domain access

If you haven't heard already, imaging is a nightmare with High Sierra. I would advise strongly against even trying. If you have ARD though and not too many Macs, this seems doable to me. Even more doable if you have Jamf.

[boberito]

I'd also check the compatibility of High Sierra(10.13) with those machines. If they're running 10.9, it's possible they don't even support High Sierra(10.13). And I don't know what applications you're using, but with such a jump you could be running into some compatibility issues.

The best solution(depending on the number), download the High Sierra installer from the Mac App Store, create a bootable USB recovery drive, plug it in and format and install. Once you get them to a working desktop, you could write a bash script to do configurations you want.

[wesleya]

Good point. Definitely test with your apps and hardware, but quite a lot of hardware does support High Sierra:

macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications