Note
The information in this topic applies only to System Center 2012 Configuration Manager SP1 and System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager.

Client installation and management for Mac computers in System Center 2012 Configuration Manager requires public key infrastructure (PKI) certificates. Configuration Manager can request and install a user client certificate by using Microsoft Certificate Services with an enterprise certification authority (CA) and the Configuration Manager enrollment point and enrollment proxy point site system roles. Or, you can request and install a computer certificate independently from Configuration Manager if the certificate meets the requirements for Configuration Manager. PKI certificates secure the communication between the Mac computers and the Configuration Manager site by using mutual authentication and encrypted data transfers.

Important
Configuration Manager Mac clients always perform certificate revocation checking; unlike Configuration Manager clients that run on Windows, you cannot disable this certificate revocation list (CRL) checking function. If Mac clients cannot confirm the certificate revocation status for a server certificate because they cannot locate the CRL, they will not be able to successfully connect to Configuration Manager site systems, such as management points and distribution points. Especially for Mac clients in a different forest to the issuing certification authority, check your CRL design to ensure that Mac clients can locate and connect to a CRL distribution point (CDP) for connecting site system servers.

Before you install the Configuration Manager client on a Mac computer, decide how to install the client certificate:

Note
For more information about the Mac client certificate requirement and other PKI certificates that are required to support Mac computers, see PKI Certificate Requirements for Configuration Manager.

Mac clients are automatically assigned to the Configuration Manager site that manages them. Mac clients install as Internet-only clients, even if communication is restricted to the intranet. This client configuration means that they will communicate with the site system roles (management points and distribution points) in their assigned site when you configure these site system roles to allow client connections from the Internet. Mac computers do not communicate with site system roles outside their assigned site.

Use the following sections to install, configure, and manage Mac computers for Configuration Manager:

Steps to Install and Configure the Client for Mac Computers

Use the following table for the steps, details, and more information about how to install and configure the client for Mac computers.

Important
Before you perform these steps, make sure that your Mac computer meets the prerequisites listed in the Client Requirements for Mac Computers section in the Supported Configurations for Configuration Manager topic.

Steps Details More information

Step 1: Deploy a web server certificate to site system servers.

These site systems might already have this certificate for other Configuration Manager clients. If not, deploy a web server certificate to the following computers that hold the following site system roles:

  • Management point

  • Distribution point

  • Enrollment point

  • Enrollment proxy point

Important
The web server certificate must contain the Internet FQDN that is specified in the site system properties.This does not mean that the server must be accessible from the Internet to support Mac computers. If you do not require Internet-based client management, you can specify the intranet FQDN value for the Internet FQDN.

For an example deployment that creates and installs this web server certificate, see the Deploying the Web Server Certificate for Site Systems that Run IIS section in the Step-by-Step Example Deployment of the PKI Certificates for Configuration Manager: Windows Server 2008 Certification Authority topic.

Important
Make sure that you specify the site system’s Internet FQDN value in the web server certificate for the management point, the distribution point, and the enrollment proxy point.

Step 2: Deploy a client authentication certificate to site system servers.

These site systems might already have this certificate for Configuration Manager functionality. If not, deploy a client authentication certificate to the following computers that hold the following site system roles:

  • Management point

  • Distribution point

For an example deployment that creates and installs the client certificate for management points, see the Deploying the Client Certificate for Computers section in the Step-by-Step Example Deployment of the PKI Certificates for Configuration Manager: Windows Server 2008 Certification Authority topic.

For an example deployment that creates and installs the client certificate for distribution points, see the Deploying the Client Certificate for Distribution Points section in the Step-by-Step Example Deployment of the PKI Certificates for Configuration Manager: Windows Server 2008 Certification Authority topic.

Step 3: Prepare the client certificate template for Mac computers.

Note
To run the Configuration Manager enrollment tool, you must have an Active Directory user account.

The certificate template must have Read and Enroll permissions for the user account that will enroll the certificate on the Mac computer.

See the Deploying the Client Certificate for Mac Computers section in the Step-by-Step Example Deployment of the PKI Certificates for Configuration Manager: Windows Server 2008 Certification Authority topic.

Step 4: Configure the management point and distribution point.

Configure management points for the following options:

  • HTTPS

  • Allow client connections from the Internet

    Note
    This configuration value is required to manage Mac computers. However, it does not mean that site system servers must be accessible from the Internet.
  • Allow mobile devices and Mac computers to use this management point

Although distribution points are not required to install the client on Mac computers, you must configure distribution points to allow client connections from the Internet if you want to deploy software to these Mac computers after the Configuration Manager client is installed.

See the following procedure in this topic: Step 4: Configuring Management Points and Distribution Points to support Mac Computers.

Step 5: Configure the enrollment proxy point and the enrollment point.

You must install both these site system roles in the same site but you do not have to install them on the same site system server, or in the same Active Directory forest.

For more information about site system role placement and considerations, see the Planning Where to Install Sites System Roles in the Hierarchy section in the Planning for Site Systems in Configuration Manager topic.

To configure the enrollment proxy point and the enrollment point, see the following procedure in this topic: Step 5: Installing and Configuring the Enrollment Site Systems.

Step 6: Optional:

  • Install the reporting services point

Install the reporting services point if you want to run reports for Mac computers.

For more information about how to install and configure the reporting services point, see Configuring Reporting in Configuration Manager.

Step 7: Configure client settings for enrollment.

You must use the default client settings to configure enrollment for Mac computers; you cannot use custom client settings.

For more information about client settings, see About Client Settings in Configuration Manager.

For information about how to configure these client settings, see the following procedure in this topic: Step 7: Configuring the Client Settings for Enrollment.

Step 8: Download the client source files for Mac clients.

Download the installation files and then install them on the Mac computer.

See the following procedure in this topic: Step 8: Download and Install the Mac Client Files.

Step 9: Install the client and then enroll the client certificate on the Mac computer.

When you use Configuration Manager enrollment, you must first install the client by using the Ccmsetup application, and then enroll the client certificate by using the CMEnroll tool.

See the following procedure in this topic: Step 9: Installing the Client and Enrolling the Certificate by using the CMEnroll Tool on the Mac computer.

Supplemental Procedures to Install and Configure the Client for Mac Computers

Use the following information when the steps in the preceding table require supplemental procedures.

Step 4: Configuring Management Points and Distribution Points to support Mac Computers

This procedure configures existing management points and distribution points to support Mac computers. Before you start this procedure, make sure that the site system server that runs the management point and distribution point is configured with an Internet FQDN. If these site system servers will not support Internet-based client management, you can specify the intranet FQDN as the Internet FQDN value. In addition, these site system roles must be in a primary site.

To configure management points and distribution points to support Mac computers

Step 5: Installing and Configuring the Enrollment Site Systems

These procedures configure the site system roles to support Mac computers. Choose one of these procedures, depending on whether you will install a new site system server to support Mac computers or use an existing site system server:

To install and configure the enrollment site systems: New site system server

To install and configure the enrollment site systems: Existing site system server

Step 7: Configuring the Client Settings for Enrollment

This step is required for Configuration Manager to request and install the certificate on the Mac computer.

To configure the default client settings for Configuration Manager to enroll certificates for Mac computers

Step 8: Download and Install the Mac Client Files

You must download and install the following programs before you can install and manage the Configuration Manager client on Mac computers:

  • Ccmsetup: Use this application to install the Configuration Manager client on Mac computers in your organization.

  • CMDiagnostics: Use this tool to collect diagnostic information related to the Configuration Manager client on Mac computers in your organization.

  • CMUninstall: Use this tool to uninstall the Configuration Manager client from Mac computers in your organization.

  • CMAppUtil: Use this tool to convert Apple application packages into a format that can be deployed as a Configuration Manager application.

  • CMEnroll: Use this tool to request and install the client certificate for a Mac computer so that you can then install the Configuration Manager client.

These programs are contained in a Windows Installer file named ConfigmgrMacClient.msi. This file is not supplied on the Configuration Manager installation media. You can download this file from the Microsoft Download Center for Configuration Manager SP1, and the Microsoft Download Center for System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager.

To download and install the Mac OS X client files

Step 9: Installing the Client and Enrolling the Certificate by using the CMEnroll Tool on the Mac computer

This procedure installs the client and then uses the CMEnroll tool to request and install the client certificate for a Mac computer so that you can then manage this computer by using Configuration Manager.

For System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager only: You can enroll the client by using the Mac Computer Enrollment wizard without having to use the CMEnroll tool. For more information, see the procedure below.

To install the client and enroll the certificate by using the CMEnroll tool

To enroll the client by using the Mac Computer Enrollment Wizard (System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager only)

Uninstalling the Mac Client

If you want to uninstall the Mac client, use the CMUninstall script that is provided with the Mac client files you downloaded from the web. Use the following procedure to help you uninstall the Configuration Manager client from Mac computers.

To uninstall the Mac client

Renewing the Mac Client Certificate

Use one of the following methods to renew the Mac client certificate:

Renewing the Mac Client Certificate by Using the Renew Certificate Wizard (System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager only)

Renewing the Mac Client Certificate Manually

Steps to Upgrade the Client for Mac Computers

For System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager only:

Use the following table for the steps, details, and more information about how to upgrade the client for Mac computers by using a Configuration Manager application. Alternatively, you can also download the Mac client installation file, copy it to a shared network location or a local folder on the Mac computer and then instruct users to run the installation manually.

Note
Before you perform these steps, make sure that your Mac computer meets the prerequisites listed in the Client Requirements for Mac Computers section in the Supported Configurations for Configuration Manager topic.

Steps Details More Information

Step 1: Download the latest Mac client installation file from the Microsoft Download Center

The Mac client for Configuration Manager is not supplied on the Configuration Manager installation media and must be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center. The Mac client installation files are contained in a Windows Installer file named ConfigmgrMacClient.msi.

For more information, see the Microsoft Download Center.

Step 2: Run the downloaded installation file to create the Mac client installation file.

On a computer that runs Windows, run the ConfigmgrMacClient.msi that you downloaded to unpack the Mac client installation file, named Macclient.dmg. This file can be found, by default, in the C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\System Center 2012 Configuration Manager Mac Client folder on the Windows computer after you have unpacked the files.

No additional information.

Step 3: Extract the client installation files.

Copy the Macclient.dmg file to a network share, or a local folder on a Mac computer. Then, from the Mac computer, mount and then open the Macclient.dmg file and copy the files to a folder on the Mac computer.

No additional information.

Step 4: Create a .cmmac file that can be used to create an application.

Use the CMAppUtil tool (found in the Tools folder of the Mac client installation files) to create a .cmmac file from the client installation package. This file will be used to create the Configuration Manager application.

Copy the new file CMClient.pkg.cmmac file to a location that is available to the computer that is running the Configuration Manager console.

For more information, see the Step 1: Prepare Mac Applications for Configuration Manager section in the How to Create and Deploy Applications for Mac Computers in Configuration Manager topic.

Step 5: Create and deploy a Configuration Manager application containing the Mac client files.

In the Configuration Manager console, create an application from the CMClient.pkg.cmmac file that contains the client installation files.

Deploy this application to Mac computers in your hierarchy.

For more information, see How to Create and Deploy Applications for Mac Computers in Configuration Manager.

Step 6: Users install the latest client.

Users of Mac clients will be prompted that an update to the Configuration Manager client is available and must be installed. After users install the client, they must restart their Mac computer.

After the computer restarts, the Computer Enrollment wizard automatically runs to request a new user certificate.

If you do not use Configuration Manager enrollment but install the client certificate independently from Configuration Manager, see Upgrading the Client in the Use a Certificate Request and Installation Method that is Independent from Configuration Manager section of this topic.

Use a Certificate Request and Installation Method that is Independent from Configuration Manager

When you do not use Configuration Manager enrollment but instead, request and install the client certificate independently from Configuration Manager, the configuration steps are slightly different:

  1. Perform steps 1, 2, 4, 6 (optional), and 8.

  2. Do not perform steps 3, 5, 7, and 9.

  3. Install the client by using the following instructions.

To install the client certificate independently from Configuration Manager and install the client

Renewing the Mac Client Certificate

Use the following procedure before you renew the computer certificate on Mac computers.

This procedure removes the SMSID, which is required for the client to use a new or renewed certificate on the Mac computer.

Important
When you remove and replace the client SMSID, any stored client history such as inventory is deleted after you delete the client from the Configuration Manager console.

To renew the Mac client certificate

Upgrading the Client

For System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager only:

Follow the Steps to Upgrade the Client for Mac Computers. After you upgrade the client, run the following procedure to prevent the Computer Enrollment Wizard from running and to configure the upgraded client to use an existing client certificate.

To configure the upgraded client to use an existing certificate

See Also