Binding to Active Directory:
Active Directory is extremely common in the workplace. To function alongside Windows machines within AD you will need to bind your Mac. Fortunately, with Leopard and Tiger, the binding process works smoothly. Again, before we start, you will need to contact your IT department. Most likely, they will have to bind your computer for you, as the access privileges for binding a computer shouldn’t be given out freely. I’ll still show you how its done because most IT departments I’ve worked in get lost and confused when they see a Mac.
1. Open up Directory Utility – Its located in the Utilities folder.
- Open up Directory Access if you are using 10.4 Tiger.
Note: I do not recommend using 10.3 (Panther) for Active Directory binding. Its not quite all there. If you are stuck with an older OS, look into Thursby Software’s ADmitMac.
2. Click on “Services” at the top.
- If the padlock in the lower left corner is closed, click it and enter the password to proceed.
- In 10.4 Tiger, there is no Services tab, proceed to step 3.
3. Check the checkbox next to Active Directory.
4. Either double-click the Active Directory entry or click the little pencil icon in the lower left area.
5. Click on the triangle on the left to open up the Advanced Options.
6. Enter the settings your IT department gave you.
- In the picture, the default settings are shown. In most cases they won’t require any changes.
7. Click “Bind” to begin the binding process.
Note: Do this while you are at your workplace, connected to the network and with someone from your IT department. You will need to enter a username and password. In 99% of workplaces, only someone from IT will have the necessary access to do this.
8. If for any reason the binding process fails, take note of the error message and relay it to your IT department.
Note: Your workplace’s Active Directory security structure may be too strict to allow a Mac onto the domain. In this case, you may want to look at Thursby Software’s ADmitMac. Its commercial software and it works well with integrating Macs into Active Directory. Alternatively, you can always boot into Windows (You’ll need XP Pro, not XP Home) via Boot Camp – No one will even know the difference.
That’s it, you can now connect to your company’s network and function as if you are sitting at your desk. In Part II, we will explore how to work with the “Office Suite” as well as connect with your workplace email.