Importing a list from another source?

Exported lists are plist files. You could examine an exported plist with a text editor... the format for each computer is not complex:

<dict>
<key>hardwareAddress</key>
<string>AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF</string>
<key>hostname</key>
<string>mymac.mydomain.com</string>
<key>name</key>
<string>mymac</string>
<key>networkAddress</key>
<string>192.168.2.2</string>
<key>preferHostname</key>
<false/>
</dict>

I guess if you are doing DHCP you would set preferHostname to True.

Maybe you coud use a calulation field in FMPRo to:

1. construct a plist entry for each record
2. concatenate the results
3. add the plist header and trailer
4. export it as a .plist text file
5. import to ARD

I ahev not tried this but please let me know if it works.

hth,

b.

Don't import from lists... import from a file. 🙂

Export the needed data, primarily the IP addresses into a file. Select the scanner in the left panel, and then select "File Import" in the popup. Now drag that file into window, or locate it using the "..." button. I think you'll find this much more to your liking.

Ah, sorry, misread your initial post. I thought you had the IP addresses in your database.

Unfortunately there is no way, that I'm aware of, to locate machines given the data you have because none of that data is broadcast to/over the network.

I guess you may have tried this... but how about if you take a pre-exported plist and copy/paste your FMPro data in to add to the items already there.
hth,
b.

I see our school is not alone with regard to trying to ARD to manage machines with IP addresses dished out by DHCP.

The reason we moved to DHCP and purchased ARD was because of the number of machines to manage. But searching all the threads - seems you're S.O.L. with ARD if you're using DHCP. And where in the promo descrtiptions did it mention that you're ability to use ARD is sevely constrained?

As mentioned in this thread - we'd be more than happy to make a once around of current machines and collect their MAC address to populate ARD and make this part of the process for any added machines. But that's a bust also.

I look forward to a way to handle machines under DHCP - and to set the lease time to 6 months is not an option. We made a pitch to the school to spend the money to give us a better tool to allow the two of us to manage all the equipment. But the devel is in the details. No we have to go back and explain why they paid for it and we're not using it.

And why doesn't ARD identify machines by the permenant MAC address instead of a temporary IP address?

Thanks for any ideas out there.
- Tom

Tom,

ARD works just fine with DHCP.

Just make sure you choose "network range" rather than "local network" in the Scanner.

DHCP problems are not what this thread is about. And instead of ranting why not explain the problem you are having?

b.

Hello,

This does not work.

I have essentially created an applescript to parse a database and create the <dict>kkvkjsbndvkjsd</dict> entries so they conform. THe problem is the hash key in the file appears to be somehow tied to the computer which generated the original list (I am assuming that the Plist file has the same reference) Using a database or other tool to create the entries is possible, however, this will have to either be manually inserted into the plist file in preferences or you have to export and reimport a defined list.

Maybe an automator action can export and import for you.
Mike

Here is what I have done..

create a database and have the clients report current ip to it..

Export on a scheduled frequency a list of the ip numbers in a text file format

create a scanner which is tied to the file

all computers which have previously been authenticated will simply show their status with the new ip...

Mike

Sure - fair enough.

With minor exception (servers, etc) all the client machines get their IP via DHCP. Lease renew time is set to have them drop off daily so active machines can get an IP address.

When they drop their lease and come back on with another IP address - any information grabbed by ARD on their previous lease is lost as far as being tied back to the same client machine. When Bill Smith's machine with IP .150 drops the lease and now Jane Doe gets that .150 IP assigned when she next gets on her computer - the .150 information for Bill's machine is now inaccurate.

We also looked at using a list of MAC addresses to populate ARD - but appears ARD only makes use of the IP address to identify the clients. So as the DHCP leases are dropped and the same IP number picked up by a different client, all things are up in the air.

So we're trying to find how people are using ARD with DHCP to retain information on the machines with them changing IP addresses regularly. Because we had though of using a list - that brought us to this thread.

Have just been dissapointed that all references to DHCP that we've checked are notes about how those folks are also having problems and no solutions seem to be there.

Since the MAC address would only change if you replaced the ethernet port - not sure why ARD focuses so much on the IP address as a client identifier when the IP can be changed on a regular basis. So we're looking for ideas from others running shops with DHCP.

Thx!
- Tom

Remote Desktop identifies client computers using the MAC address. But it will look first at the last known IP allocated to that MAC Address

As suggested in my previous post, did you try scanning by "network range" rather than "local network" in your ARD scanner yet? You may find it works - it scans the entire range each time.

b.

This is not exactly correct. ARD 3 uses ip addressing and then maintains the connection once authenticated by referring to the mac address returned down port 3283 or port 5900.

If you made a text file with nothing other than ip numbers and used a scan file contents scanner, it would list all the computers which had ARD client running.

Mike

Yes - have scanned both ways - list appears equal under both methods. Getting 'access denied' hassles - so kind of working our way through this. Kind of one paper wall after another to bust through.

Have several machines in the room that we can use with ARD so as not to walk the entire bldg. Even tho each has ARD checked in Prefs - none list it in the scan.

Will try and keep frustration out of the notes as we go.
thx!