how to use /etc/fstab to do remote mounts using machine name or personalized naming scheme?

iPanini wrote:

How do I construct my /etc/fstab so that it will mount e.g. like this:

It might not be possible. That's the first thing you'll have to accept about Mac networking - it's really bad and getting worse.

First of all, the /Volumes path is reserved for the system's use. If you want to have better control over your own mount points and make them more stable, you will need to specify your mount points elsewhere.

I recommend a Google search for "autofs technical white paper". This is a document that Apple published and withdrew years ago. It describes how to use /etc/fstab to run the auto mounter. It's likely to be an exercise in frustration. Apple didn't take down this documentation without good reason.

iPanini wrote:

Interesting read! Thanks for pointing me to it ;-)

For the time being, in fact as a quick workaround, I'd prefer to use Directory Utility to see if I can use it to create the mount entries in the correct config files (/etc/).

Are you aware if this is still possible? I'm on Catalina and on Monterey for that matter.

I don't know. You can try it. Isn't that for NFS? Modern security models may be incompatible with things like NFS. You just have to test it. Even just accessing local files, sometimes root is denied on modern macOS.

You should be able to create and use your own mount points. That should give you a stable path to use, as long as permissions will let you do it.