The macOS User Administration Guide

Explore macOS tools and architecture for executing support tasks and system administration, and prepare for the Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) certification exam

Key Features

• Delve into macOS Big Sur, from installation to managing apps and optimizing your environment
• Become an Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) with this comprehensive macOS support guide
• The book is not intended to be a user guide, it covers concepts pertinent for a user acting as an administrator

Book Description

Apple is pushing the capabilities of its technologies to help users achieve high performance, including improvements in its OS running across all Mac systems, macOS, and new technologies such as M1 Silicon chips. This book walks you through macOS from a system administration and support point of view, exploring its latest features.

The book starts by explaining macOS architecture, installation, and startup processes to enable you to get started with the OS. You'll learn how to manage users and discover techniques for user security and privacy. Moving on, you'll get to grips with the macOS file system and learn to manage disks, volumes, and partitions for effective file management. Most of the examples covered in this book are from an administrator's perspective; however, when relevant, a standard user's perspective is also presented. You'll find illustrations for Mac systems running macOS 11 (Big Sur), and when necessary, for macOS 10.15 (macOS Catalina). Finally, you'll explore advanced topics such as networking and using command-line tools for administration tasks.

By the end of this macOS book, you'll be well-versed with macOS features, administration tasks, and best practices. You'll also be able to apply the concepts to increase your chances of success in obtaining Apple certifications such as Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP).

What you will learn

• Understand the fundamentals of the macOS system and architecture
• Configure key services and perform essential troubleshooting in your Mac system
• Install, update, and configure your local macOS system and identify the stages of the startup process
• Create and manage a local user account and set up your customized macOS environment
• Manage your file systems, storage, and permissions
• Explore practices and techniques to work with apps, networks, and security for your Mac system
• Delve into administration tasks such as managing service resources and peripherals

Who this book is for

If you are a Mac system administrator, support and help desk technician or engineer, or Mac power user looking to explore macOS architecture and tooling, then this book is for you. The book assumes beginner-level knowledge of the macOS environment and system administration.

Table of Contents

1. Overview of the macOS System, Architecture, and Features
2. Installing and Configuring macOS
3. The Start Up Process
4. User Accounts Management
5. Managing User Security and Privacy
6. The macOS File System: Disks, Volumes, and Partitions
7. Understanding Ownership and Permissions
8. System Resources and Shortcuts
9. Understanding Metadata and Searching
10. Managing Apps and Documents
11. Backups and Archiving
12. Networking in macOS
13. Using macOS Network Services
14. Using macOS Sharing Services
15. Managing Security in macOS
16. Using the Command Line
17. Troubleshooting Tips

Herta Nava is a technologies expert, with extensive experience in writing, reviewing, and localizing technical content. She's an Apple Certified Support Professional, with experience supporting corporate and personal clients with regard to Apple and other technologies. She has worked on producing courses for important online technical content providers, such as Pluralsight and O'Reilly Media. Currently, Herta works as a third-party vendor in the localization of technical content, software, UI, and documentation for Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Office, Azure, Dell Technical Advisories (DTAs), and other similar content.