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Determine OS Version: 32 vs 64 bit
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Mac OS X 10.6: Exceptions
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Statement of Support For Macintosh OS X

Introduction

Computing Services will offer support for the following versions of the Mac OS X operating system:

Mac OS X Edition
 Support Offered
OS X 10.5 Support of Mac OS X 10.5 will be discontinued effective December 31, 2011. 
OS X 10.6 Supported
OS X 10.7 Supported

Terms Used in this Document

See Support Statement Terms for a definition of terms used to describe the level to which we do or do not support a service or technology

Platforms

Mac OS X is supported only on the Macintosh platform. The hardware must meet the minimum recommended configuration, as required by Apple. Please see the Mac Recommendations section of the Hardware and Software Recommendations document for additional requirements on campus.

Level of Support

Computing Services supports the installation of the Mac OS X operating systems and the configuration necessary for the systems to function on the Campus Network.

Computing Services does not support specific hardware, peripherals, or the configuration of such devices. In most cases, hardware devices should be "plug-n-play", and/or should have appropriate drivers and support provided by the vendor.

Network services for Mac OS X should be configured using the instructions provided on the Connecting to the Network page.

Application Support

Mac OS X: Computing Services will support core applications and processes; see the Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) and Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Exceptions pages for details.

Multi-user Login
Mac OS X supports multi-user local login access. In troubleshooting, Computing Services may require logging on with an account that has full administrative access rights.

Printing
Due to the number of printers available, Computing Services limits support for printing from Mac OS X to only Computing Services public printers; see Andrew Printing. 

Network Protocols

TCP/IP
TCP/IP is the recommended and supported networking protocol for Mac OS X.

AppleTalk
Since AppleTalk is disabled on the campus networking routers, it is recommended that AppleTalk be enabled only if AppleTalk services are available from within the same area or building. Take advantage of the TCP/IP based services that Mac OS X makes available, including the AppleShare File Protocol and LPR printing.

Training

Training and product assistance is available through Apple's support page.

Special Note for Sharing Folders

If you have file sharing enabled on Mac OS X 10.5, you may receive a false patch alert message.  Mac OS X 10.5 machines with file sharing enabled appear as a vulnerable Windows machine to ISO’s security scans.  You can request a one-year exemption from MS04-011 scanning by replying to the patch notification message.  For more information, refer to the Patch Alert Notification for Leopard Users page.

Availability

For licensing and download information, see the Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) software page.

Last Updated: 9/1/11