OS X Support Essentials is a three-day, hands-on course that provides an in-depth exploration of troubleshooting. This course is designed to give you a tour of OS X functionality of and methods for supporting users of OS X systems. The course is a combination of lectures and hands on case study exercises that provide practical real world experience.
Installation:
Prepare and partition the drive, install OS X, use the installer log files to verify a successful installation, configure OS X with the Setup Assistant, update Apple software with Software Update and Installer, tips and techniques for troubleshooting an installation problem.
User Accounts:
Create and manage accounts, locate directory attributes, security, password selection, Keychain, and FileVault.
File Systems:
File systems supported by OS X Mountain Lion, file and directory ownership and permissions, Disk Utility and file repair, using the command line for file management.
Data Management:
The root volume, file system layout, preferences, frameworks, file types unique to OS X, Spotlight, file archives and disk images. Archiving and restoring data with Time Machine, managing backup data, how to access the data outside of Time Machine.
Applications and Processes:
Applications supported in Mac OS X, applications created with different developer APIs, the UNIX concept of a process, the relationship of processes and applications, tools to monitoring and managing processes, application preferences, troubleshooting, Boot Camp.
Networks:
Basic networking configuration, TCP/IP networking, Ethernet, AirPort, multiple network connections, appropriate use of network locations, isolating and troubleshooting network elements.
Network Services:
Connecting to common network resources, Network Users accounts with Directory Services, AFP, SMB, SSH, FTP, and WebDAV connections, Bonjour, Net BIOS, the network browser, isolating client software issues from network issues. Enabling network services on a OS X Mountain Lion client, peer-to-peer collaboration, sharing files between Macs and Windows, sharing web documents, screen sharing, firewall as well as techniques to isolate server issues from client and network issues.
Peripherals and Printing:
Connecting peripherals to a Mac, cabling, connections, device drivers for common peripherals, managing printers, print-job management, printer PPDs and PDF workflow, techniques for isolating cabling, driver, or application issues.
Startup:
Troubleshooting boot issues with a Mac at startup, phases of the startup process, which part of the system is active during each phase, issues that can arise, automatic process launching with launchd and login window startup items.
Help desk specialists, technical coordinators, service technicians, and others who support Mac users
Technical support personnel in businesses that use Macs
Technical coordinators or power users who manage networks of computers running OS X - such as teachers and technology specialists who manage networks or computer labs
Students can take the OS X Support Essentials 10.8 Exam to earn Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) 10.8 certification. This costs an additional £85 (+VAT) and does not have to be taken with the course.
Delegates should meet the following prerequisites for the Mac OS X Support Essentials course: