Changing Names in Workgroup Manager?

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Level 1

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Changing Names in Workgroup Manager?

Hello All.

I'm having problems with my Workgroup Manager and was wondering if anyone has an insight.

I have 160 or so Imacs, running 10.6.8, our server a Mac mini running OSX Server 10.6.8

I have all the macs seperated in Workgroup manager by the rooms, but ever since the names have been changed of the macs, workgroup manager isnt updating them.

I tested by deleting an Entire room and re adding them, but it was reported that macs elsewhere in the building were having problems. Not the room I deleted.

Now when I go into work group manager, Click on a Mac and click inspection all the names in there do not match the main name and shortname.

When I also add them in with the prefix "IM-1G14-01" it adds the mac in but has an old name associated to it. Correlating to another mac somewhere else in the building.

I understand all that is a bit of a shamble. But maybe you can piece something from it.

TLDR: Mac names not matching hostnames in WGM, how do I resolve.

Kind Regards

Michael.

Mac OSX Server-OTHER, OS X Server

Posted on May 22, 2013 2:28 AM

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Answer 1

jepping

Level 3

785 points

May 22, 2013 3:32 AM in response to mbevan25

Hi Michael,

Does your server supply DHCP and DNS?

Then you should empty out all of your records in WorkGroupManager of all your macs and unbind them once en rebind them again to the Server.

You can use Apple Remote Desktop to script the names of your macs and rebind them again with your server.

Safest way to go would be to collect unique MAC addresses from all iMacs and then run a script to supply all your macs with unique names like "IM-1G14-01" and so on.

This can be done in several ways, remote desktop can do it for you and keep a list of the iMacs in every room and their MAC address and your good to go.

Supplying every MAC with their own client-ID will ensure later on that everything keeps on working with no conflict in other rooms. Also label them fysically with their correct name. It will be some work to get it done, but once it is setup, it's easily maintained.

Goodluck!

Jeffrey

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Answer 2

mbevan25 Author

Level 1

0 points

May 22, 2013 4:14 AM in response to jepping

Jeffrey

Our server does not provide DHCP and DNS, our AD server does.

Really don't have the time for the downtime to completly wipe WGM and start again.

Just wondering if there was a quicker option?,

If that is the case we will have to make arrangements for the downtime.

We couldn't even stagger it room by room either?, the whole lot would have to be wiped?

Thanks

Michael.

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Answer 3

jepping

Level 3

785 points

May 22, 2013 4:53 AM in response to mbevan25

Hi Michael,

Thank you for replying and explaining your environment.

You can use this script on this page, edit it to your specific needs of course.

http://macadmincorner.com/bind-to-od-script-add-to-computer-group/

Try it on one mac, repeat proces after reboot, try it again and when succesfull you can do it room by room.

You might still need to verify MAC address with every mac and correct name.

This can all be done from Remote Desktop, which saves you a lot of time.

Wiping per room might work, but since you have conflicts a complete wipe would be better. Since any settings in WorkGroupManager are locally cached, all settings remain and when the iMac is added correctly a reboot will push those settings once again.

Goodluck!

Jeffrey

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Answer 4

Don Roedl

Level 2

211 points

May 22, 2013 3:52 PM in response to mbevan25

Michael, Are these workstations being managed by computer list in WGM?

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Answer 5

mbevan25 Author

Level 1

0 points

May 23, 2013 12:36 AM in response to Don Roedl

Yes.

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Answer 6

mbevan25 Author

Level 1

0 points

May 23, 2013 1:35 AM in response to mbevan25

During the aftermath of the first issue I have come across another.

Anyone care to help.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2ylvhww.jpg

It will not let me add any macs into workgroup manager now, some of our macs can also no longer print. but the settings was managed by WGM, so i'm guessing thats the issue.

Thanks for your time.

Michael.

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Answer 7

jepping

Level 3

785 points

May 23, 2013 1:53 AM in response to mbevan25

Hi Michael,

Did you try to quit WGM and starting it up again, or a reboot of your Server? It might just be an issue that your OpenDirectory needs to be restarted.

And is your DNS ok? Did you verify your DNS settings with

$ sudo changeip -checkhostname

if everything ok there? do the names match?

Goodluck

Jeffrey

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Answer 8

Don Roedl

Level 2

211 points

May 23, 2013 2:58 AM in response to mbevan25

This might be elementary, but I don't see you mentioning ethernet IDs. Are you taking ethernet ID information into account when updating the computer names in the computer list in WGM? This sounds similar to a mess that I had a few years back, and it turned out that ethernet ID was key.

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