Using the Mac OS X automounter
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Both Windows and Mac OS X can see each other’s files, but they can’t write to the other operating system’s partition. Thankfully, there are ways around these file-system limitations. Third-party applications can enable write support for these partitions, while you can also share files in other ways. Boot Camp Partition. MacOS 10.15 Catalina or 11.0 Big Sur. Windows 10 or Windows 8.1. Windows 8 (64-bit) on supported Mac hardware. An Internet connection is required.
A quick tip on how to use the Mac OS X automount command to automatically mount a remote filesystem. You will need to be comfortable with the OS X command-line for this but once you know how it is fairly simple.
Last updated: Feb 5, 2020
Why automount may be useful
I have a number of remote filesystems that are stored on Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices connected to my local network wireless router. For example, I use a share on a NAS device to host all of my media for use with the Plex Media Center. Anytime I run Plex on a computer I need to mount that share in order to be able to play the media. Likewise I have a number of cron scripts that run nightly to sync local filesystems on my Mac with a share on the NAS device.
(As an aside I should mention that remote syncing is not intended as a replacement for backups or a version control repository for your Xcode projects).
Now it would be a pain if I had to manually mount those remote filesystem shares everytime I wanted to run Plex or some other application or script. One possible option is to have them permanently mounted by adding them as login items to my OS X account (mount the share and then drag the disk icon from your desktop into the Login Items tab of your account settings in the System Preferences application). However these are filesystems that I do not generally want to see on the desktop and which sometimes are not even reachable.
A better approach in this case is to use the automount service that is part of Mac OS X. A few very simple configuration steps will allow the automount service to automatically manage access to a remote filesystem mounting it only when it is accessed and unmounting it later when it is no longer being used.
Create a local mount point
To get started you need to create a local directory that will be managed by the automount service. All remote filesystems will appear under this directory which acts as a trigger to the automount service. I keep these remote filesystems under the directory /mnt/Resources
. The Resources
directory is created and managed by the automount service but you will need to create the /mnt
directory if it does not exist. You will need to use sudo
to create the directory.
Note that starting with Catalina the root file system is now read-only. I have moved the mount point to the user writable filesystem /System/Volumes/Data
:
Modify the master map
The automount process reads the file /etc/auto_master
to retrieve a list of directories that it should control. I’ve placed my resource maps in a separate map file (/etc/auto_resources
). The one line modification to add /System/Volumes/Data/mnt/Resources
to the auto_master
file is as follows:
So any time an attempt is made to access a directory under /System/Volumes/Data/mnt/Resources
the automount process will check the auto_resources
map file to determine if it needs to mount a remote filesystem.
Creating the resources map
Let’s assume we have a remote filesystem /media
on a NAS device named nas001
. Also we will assume the filesystem is formatted as a Microsoft Windows (SMB) filesystem as it is also accessed by Windows devices (true in my case). To automatically mount that filesystem anytime we attempt to access it under /System/Volumes/Data/mnt/Resources/media
we need to add a map to the /etc/auto_resources
file as follows:
Notes:
- This assumes that anonymous access to the filesystem is allowed otherwise you need to include a username and password (e.g.
://username:password@nas001/media
). - The hostname of the remote device must be in the local
/etc/hosts
file or otherwise defined by DNS. On my local systems I simply include it in the/etc/hosts
file. - You can add other remote filesystems to the same map file and they will also be mounted under
/System/Volumes/Data/mnt/Resources
. Add each new filesystem map on a separate line.
Activate the changes
Any time you modify the map files you need to inform the automount service in order for them to become active:
Optional configuration changes
A number of options can be changed in the /etc/autofs.conf
configuration file. The only option that you are likely to ever want to change is the timeout period. This is time that the automount service will wait before unmounting a filesystem that has not been accessed. This is set to 1 hour (3600 seconds) in the /etc/autofs.conf
that ships with OS X:
Finder integration
It should be noted that filesystems that are automounted in this way will not show up automatically in the sidebar of the OS X Finder application. Nor will they automatically appear as disk icons on the desktop. If that is important you may want to simply add the share as a login item and have it mounted whenever you login.
For filesystems that are accessed by scripts or applications I prefer having them automatically mounted and unmounted in the background on demand. You can of course always go to the directory in the Finder using the Go > Go To Folder… command and entering /mnt/Resources.
NOTE:
Between mid October 2019 and mid February 2020 everyone in the Army was migrated to use their PIV Authentication certificate for Email access. You no longer use the Email certificate for Enterprise Email or any CAC enabled websites
Mac users who choose to upgrade (or already have upgraded) to Mac OS Catalina (10.15.x) or Big Sur (11.xx.x) will need to uninstall all 3rd Party CAC enablers per https://militarycac.com/macuninstall.htm AND reenable the native smart card ability (very bottom of macuninstall link above)
If you purchased your Mac with OS Catalina (10.15.x) or Big Sur (11.xx.x) already installed, you can skip the uninstall part above and follow the instructions below.
6 'high level' steps needed, follow down the page to make this a painless systematic process
1. | Is your CAC reader 'Mac friendly'? |
2. | Can your Mac 'see' the reader? |
3. | Verify which version of Mac OS you have |
4. | Figure out which CAC (ID card) you have |
5. | Install the DoD certificates |
5a. | Additional DoD certificate installation instructions for Firefox users |
6. | Decide which CAC enabler you want to use (except for 10.12-.15 & 11) |
Step 1: Is your CAC reader Mac friendly?
Visit the USB Readers page to verify the CAC reader you have is Mac friendly.
Visit the USB-C Readers page to verify the CAC reader you have is Mac friendly.
'Some, not all' CAC readers may need to have a driver installed to make it work.
NOTE: Readers such as: SCR-331 & SCR-3500A may need a firmware update (NO OTHER Readers need firmware updates).
Information about these specific readers are in Step 2
Step 2: Can your Mac 'see' the reader?
Plug the CAC reader into an open USB port before proceeding, give it a few moments to install
Step 2a: Click the Apple Icon in the upper left corner of the desktop, select 'About This Mac'
Step 2b: Click 'System Report...' (button)
Step 2c: Verify the CAC reader shows in Hardware, USB, under USB Device Tree. Different readers will show differently, most readers have no problem in this step. See Step 2c1 for specific reader issues.
Step 2c1: Verify firmware version on your SCR-331, SCR-3310 v2.0, GSR-202, 202V, 203, or SCR-3500a reader. If you have a reader other than these 6, Proceed directly to step 3
Step 2c1a-SCR-331 reader
If your reader does not look like this, go to the next step.
In the 'Hardware' drop down, click 'USB.' On the right side of the screen under 'USB Device Tree' the window will display all hardware plugged into the USB ports on your Mac. Look for “SCRx31 USB Smart Card Reader.” If the Smart Card reader is present, look at 'Version' in the lower right corner of this box: If you have a number below 5.25, you need to update your firmware to 5.25. If you are already at 5.25, your reader is installed on your system, and no further hardware changes are required. You can now Quit System Profiler and continue to Step 3.
Step 2c1b-SCR-3310 v2.0 reader
If your reader does not look like this, go to the next step.
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In the 'Hardware' drop down, click 'USB.' On the right side of the screen under 'USB Device Tree' the window will display all hardware plugged into the USB ports on your Mac. Look for “SCR3310 v2.0 USB Smart Card Reader.” If the Smart Card reader is present, look at 'Version' in the lower right corner of this box: If you have a number below 6.02, it will not read the 'G+D FIPS 201 SCE 7.0' CAC on Mac OS 11.xx.x or 10.15.7. I contacted HID (the company that makes these readers) on 14 DEC 2020 to find a way to update the firmware to 6.02. They said there is not firmware update for the reader. If your reader is older, you may need a new one. Please look at: https://militarycac.com/usbreaders.htm to find a compatible one. If you are already at version 6.02, your reader should work fine on your Mac and no further hardware changes are required. You can now Quit System Profiler and continue to Step 3.
Step 2c1c-SCR-3500A reader
If you have the SCR3500A P/N:905430-1 CAC reader,you may need to install this driver, as the one that installs automatically will not work on most Macs. Hold the control key [on your keyboard] when clicking the .pkg file [with your mouse], select [the word] Open
Step 3: Verify which version of MacOS you have?
(You need to know this information for step 6)
Step 3a: Click the Apple Icon in the upper left corner of your desktop and select 'About This Mac'
Step 3b: Look below Mac OS X for: Example: Version 10.X.X, or 11.X
Step 4: Figure out which CAC (ID Card) you have
(You need to know this information for step 6)
Look at the top back of your ID card for these card types. If you have any version other than the seven shown below, you need to visit an ID card office and have it replaced. All CACs [other than these six] were supposed to be replaced prior to 1 October 2012.
Find out how to flip card over video
Step 5: Install the DoD certificates (for Safari and Chrome Users)
Go to Keychain Access
Click: Go (top of screen), Utilities, double click Keychain Access.app
(You can also type: keychain access using Spotlight (this is my preferred method))
Select login (under Keychains),and All Items (under Category).
Download the 5 files via links below (you may need to <ctrl> click, select Download Linked File As... on each link) Save to your downloads folder
Please know... IF You have any DoD certificates already located in your keychain access, you will need to delete them prior to running the AllCerts.p7b file below.
https://militarycac.com/maccerts/AllCerts.p7b,
https://militarycac.com/maccerts/RootCert2.cer,
https://militarycac.com/maccerts/RootCert3.cer,
https://militarycac.com/maccerts/RootCert4.cer, and
Double click each of the files to install certificates into the login section of keychain
Select the Kind column, verify the arrow is pointing up, scroll down to certificate, look for all of the following certificates:
DOD DERILITY CA-1
DOD EMAIL CA-33 through DOD EMAIL CA-34,
DOD EMAIL CA-39 through DOD EMAIL CA-44,
DOD EMAIL CA-49 through DOD EMAIL CA-52,
DOD EMAIL CA-59,
DOD EMAIL CA-62 through DOD EMAIL CA-65
DOD ID CA-33 through DOD ID CA-34,
DOD ID CA-39 through DOD ID CA-44,
DOD ID CA-49 through DOD ID CA-52,
DOD ID CA-59,
DOD ID CA-62 through DOD ID CA-65
DOD ID SW CA-35 through DOD ID SW CA-38,
DOD ID SW CA-45 through DOD ID SW CA-48,
DoD Root CA 2 through DoD Root CA 5,
DOD SW CA-53 through DOD SW CA-58,
DOD SW CA-60 through DOD SW CA-61, and
DOD SW CA-66 through DOD SW 67
NOTE: If you are missing any of the above certificates, you have 2 choices,
1. Delete all of them, and re-run the 5 files above, or
2. Download the allcerts.zip file and install each of the certificates you are missing individually.
Errors:
Error 100001 Solution
Error 100013 Solution
You may notice some of the certificates will have a red circle with a white X . This means your computer does not trust those certificates
You need to manually trust the DoD Root CA 2, 3, 4, & 5 certificates
Double click each of the DoD Root CA certificates, select the triangle next to Trust, in the When using this certificate: select Always Trust, repeat until all 4 do not have the red circle with a white X.
You may be prompted to enter computer password when you close the window
Once you select Always Trust, your icon will have a light blue circle with a white + on it.
The 'bad certs' that have caused problems for Windows users may show up in the keychain access section on some Macs. These need to be deleted / moved to trash.
The DoD Root CA 2 & 3 you are removing has a light blue frame, leave the yellow frame version. The icons may or may not have a red circle with the white x
or | DoD Interoperability Root CA 1 or CA 2 | certificate | |
DoD Root CA 2 or 3 (light blue frame ONLY) | certificate | ||
or | Federal Bridge CA 2016 or 2013 | certificate | |
or | Federal Common Policy CA | certificate | |
or | or | SHA-1 Federal Root CA G2 | certificate |
or | US DoD CCEB Interoperability Root CA 1 | certificate |
If you have tried accessing CAC enabled sites prior to following these instructions, please go through this page before proceeding
Clearing the keychain (opens a new page)
Please come back to this page to continue installation instructions.
Step 5a: DoD certificate installation instructions for Firefox users
NOTE: Firefox will not work on Catalina (10.15.x), or last 4 versions of Mac OS if using the native Apple smartcard ability
Download AllCerts.zip, [remember where you save it].
double click the allcerts.zip file (it'll automatically extract into a new folder)
Option 1 to install the certificates (semi automated):
From inside the AllCerts extracted folder, select all of the certificates
<control> click (or Right click) the selected certificates, select Open With, Other...
In the Enable (selection box), change to All Applications
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Select Firefox, then Open
You will see several dozen browser tabs open up, let it open as many as it wants..
You will eventually start seeing either of the 2 messages shown next
If the certificate is not already in Firefox, a window will pop up stating 'You have been asked to trust a new Certificate Authority (CA).'
Check all three boxes to allow the certificate to: identify websites, identify email users, and identify software developers
or
'Alert This certificate is already installed as a certificate authority.' Click OK
Once you've added all of the certificates...
• Click Firefox (word) (upper left of your screen)
• Preferences
• Advanced (tab)
• Press Network under the Advanced Tab
• In the Cached Web Content section, click Clear Now (button).
• Quit Firefox and restart it
Option 2 to install the certificates (very tedious manual):
Click Firefox (word) (upper left of your screen)
Preferences
Advanced (tab on left side of screen)
Certificates (tab)
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View Certificates (button)
Authorities (tab)
Import (button)
Browse to the DoD certificates (AllCerts) extracted folder you downloaded and extracted above.
Note: You have to do this step for every single certificate
Note2: If the certificate is already in Firefox, a window will pop up stating: 'Alert This certificate is already installed as a certificate authority (CA).' Click OK
Note3: If the certificate is not already in Firefox, a window will pop up stating 'You have been asked to trust a new Certificate Authority (CA).'
Check all three boxes to allow the certificate to: identify websites, identify email users, and identify software developers
Once you've added all of the certificates...
• Click Firefox (word) (upper left of your screen)
• Preferences
• Advanced (tab)
• Press Network under the Advanced Tab
• In the Cached Web Content section, click Clear Now (button).
• Quit Firefox and restart it
Step 6: Decide which CAC enabler you can / want to use
Only for Mac El Capitan (10.11.x or older)
After installing the CAC enabler, restart the computer and go to a CAC enabled website
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NOTE: Mac OS Sierra (10.12.x), High Sierra (10.13.x), Mojave (10.14.x), Catalina (10.15.x), and Big Sur (11.x) computers no longer need a CAC Enabler.
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Try to access the CAC enabled site you need to access now
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Mac support provided by: Michael Danberry