SLAC CPE Software Engineering Group
Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
HOW-TO

Findings and Procedures for Mac Users

SLAC Detailed
SLAC Computing
Software Home
Software Detailed
 

Here are some “out of the box” findings and procedures which can be helpful for Mac users here at SLAC.


  1. Get your computer admin to request a node name and IP address (I can help, if needed) You can help us get started by completing a nodename request form.

  1. If you're using a PowerBook, you'll also want to have a roaming DHCP account so that you can connect just about anywhere. I can help the LCLS people with this as well. At this point, there aren't any provisions for connecting Macs to the control system networks. There are good, detailed instructions on what to do here:

http://www2.slac.stanford.edu/comp/net/dhcp/dhcp.htm

  1. When you get your Mac hooked up and powered up, it will take you through some screens to set a local account. You may wish to use a Unix or NT account name, but there will be no authentication server and this password will not get you any connectivity to SLAC resources. Whether you sign up for the .mac network or not is up to you.

  1. When you're done booting, you'll have a mostly blank screen with a row of icons at the bottom. Click the one that looks like a light switch. This brings up your System Preferences screen. Click the “Network” Icon. You'll see the different network connectors. Built-in Ethernet is your NIC that is used for a physical (cable) connection . Air-Port is your wireless adaptor. If your Mac is going to be stationary, have your admin set the necessary network settings. If you're using a PowerBook, set both connections to DHCP. You can use the wireless visitor net your DHCP account is activated.

  1. Once you're connected, go back to the System Preferences. At the bottom is an Icon called “Software Update”, click it. Check the box that says “ Check for updates Weekly” and check the box that says “Download Important Updates Into Background”

  1. Click the “Check Now” button. A screen comes up with all of the updates available to your Mac. The important one is the bottom one that says “Mac OS-X Updates”. Download those (and any others you want) then re-boot.

  1. Next, you need to install a current anti-virus software. I recommend using the Norton Antivirus that's free for us from Stanford. You'll need to have an active Stanford account. I also strongly recommend it for your home computer. Go to:

http://www.stanford.edu/dept/itss/ess/mac/index.html

There are very good on-screen instruction for installing Norton Antivirus. You'll be prompted to get the latest updates from Symantec – get them. Then you'll be prompted to re-boot.

  1. Apple doesn't ship the X-Client software as standard equipment.  You can download it from Apple for free.  If you're going to be running X displays (like EPICS or the SCP), use this command to log on:

>Ssh mccdev –X –l joeuser

Greg says that if you are using Tiger, you need to use –Y instead of -X


Programmers' Guides, Users' Guides, Requirements, Design, Papers, Administration, How-To, Hardware, IOC, Database

[SLAC CPE Software Engineering Group][ SLAC Home Page]

Author: Jim Knopf, 10-Aug-05
Modified by: