OS X Login Authentication Against Leopard Server

authenticationmac-osx-serveropendirectory

I am doing a few tests with OS X Server before I have to do a deploy in a few months. I have configured Open Directory, and created a few users. I've configured Directory Utility on a 10.5 client, but the login authentication doesn't work the way I would expect. I would expect I could user a username/password from any user created in Open Directory and be able to log into the client. Instead, it appears I need to create a local user, which you then sync with a directory user using Directory Utility.

Alternatively, if I add an Active Directory config to the client, I can use any AD user, as I would expect.

Am I hoping for the impossible, or is something likely wrong with the configuration?

Best Answer

It sounds more likely something may be wrong with your configuration - how did you add the Open Directory server in Directory Utility as what you want is precisely how it is supposed to work.

Additionally, before too much else double check your DNS as DNS will cause all sorts of issues with Open Directory.

For instructions you can check the docs: Open Directory Admin PDF, specifically: page 118 quoted:

To connect to a standard or workgroup configuration server:

1 Open Directory Utility (in /Applications/Utilities/).
2 If the lock icon is locked, unlock it by clicking it and entering the name and password of an administrator.
3 Click Directory Servers, then click the Add (+) button.
4 From the “Add a new directory of type” pop-up menu, choose Open Directory.
5 In the “Server Name or IP Address” field, enter the server name or IP address.
6 (Conditional) Before you select the “Encrypt using SSL” checkbox, check with your Open directory administrator to determine if SSL is needed.
7 In the Introduction pane, a list of services offered by the server you are connecting to are displayed, click Begin Setup.
8 Enter the Authentication information for the server you are connecting to.
In the name and password field, enter the administrator name and password for the server you are connecting to.
Enter the password for the user account that appears in “Enter the password for the account username on this computer.”
9 Click Continue.
10 Under Configuration Options, choose to let Directory Utility configure your applications or not.
Select Yes if you want the server to configure your application to use services that it offers.
Select No to bypass this configuration.
11 Click Continue.
12 Click Finish Setup.

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