Apple Mac OS X Server (Administrator’s Guide) - Manual (Page 271)

Client Management: Mac OS X 271
If users have local accounts on specific computers, you can still manage their user
preferences on the client computer without using Workgroup Manager. However, it may be
more useful to manage local users indirectly by using Workgroup Manager to manage
preferences for the client computer and group that can access that computer. These group
and computer preferences are cached for offline use, making this preference configuration
especially useful for mobile computers. If a user on a mobile computer disconnects from the
network, he or she is still managed.
You can set up managed preferences for users after you create the user accounts. For more
information about managed preferences and how to use them, see “Managing Preferences”
on page 282.
Setting Up Group Accounts
Although Mac OS X users are not required to be added to group accounts in order to be
managed, groups are still very important for efficient and effective client management. For
example, you can use groups to provide users with the same access privileges to media,
printers, and volumes.
For more information about how to create group accounts using Workgroup Manager, see
“Administering Group Accounts” on page 165.
Managed preferences assigned to a particular group apply to all users in that group. However,
managed user preferences may take precedence over group preferences. You can set up
managed preferences for groups after you create the group account. For more information
about how to manage preferences, see “Managing Preferences” on page 282.
Setting Up Computer Accounts
A computer account is a list of computers that have the same preference settings and are
available to the same users and groups. You can create and modify computer accounts in
Workgroup Manager. Computer accounts that you set up appear in the list on the left side of
the window. The list of computer accounts is searchable. Settings appear on the List, Access,
and Cache panes on the right side of the window.
When you set up a computer account, make sure you have already determined how
computers will be identified. Use descriptions that are logical and easy to remember (for
instance, the description might be the computer name). You must use the “on board” or
built-in Ethernet address for a computer’s Address information. This information is unique to
each computer. The client computer uses this data to find preference information when a
user logs in. You can browse for a computer and Workgroup Manager will enter the
computer’s Ethernet address and name for you.