Configuring AutoMounter for Read-Write Access in Mac OS X

When setting up the DeadlineRepository share on a Mac client workstation, administrators may encounter issues with mounting the share automatically without displaying its contents to users. This article aims to provide a step-by-step guide on configuring AutoMounter for read-write access in Mac OS X.

For those unfamiliar with automounts, it's essential to understand that they are used to mount network shares automatically when a user logs in or boots up their machine. In this case, we want to mount the DeadlineRepository share under `/Volumes` without displaying its contents to users.

The key to achieving this is by creating an entry in the `/etc/auto_master` file. This file contains a list of directories and their corresponding automount options. The syntax for the entry should be as follows:

`/Volumes -fstype=smbfs,rw,soft`

This tells AutoMounter to mount the share at the `/Volumes` directory using the SMB protocol (smbfs) with read-write access (rw) and soft mounts.

Some administrators may use additional options, such as `nobrowse` or `hidefromfinder`, to further customize the behavior of the automount. For example:

`/net -hosts -nobrowse,hidefromfinder,nosuid`

In this case, the `-nobrowse` option prevents the Finder from displaying the share's contents, while the `-hidefromfinder` option hides the share from being displayed in the Finder.

For those upgrading to OS X Mavericks 10.9.5 or later, it's essential to note that the automount process has changed. The `/etc/auto_master` file now contains comments and examples of how to configure automounts. However, this can also lead to confusion, as some sources may recommend using different syntax or locations.

To ensure compatibility with the new version, administrators should create a custom entry in the `/etc/auto_master` file using the recommended syntax above.

In conclusion, configuring AutoMounter for read-write access in Mac OS X requires careful attention to detail and understanding of automount options. By following the steps outlined above, administrators can set up their DeadlineRepository share to mount automatically under `/Volumes` without displaying its contents to users.

Additional Resources:

For those interested in learning more about automounts or configuring AutoMounter for specific use cases, the following resources may be helpful:

* Apple's Automount documentation

* SharePoints AutoMounter for Mac (free download)

* NFS automounter tutorial

By leveraging these resources and understanding the configuration options available, administrators can successfully set up their DeadlineRepository share and ensure seamless rendering pipeline for their Visual FX students.

Downloading AutoMounter