Version: 5.3.x
Platform: Macintosh OS X
Question:
Why have scheduled backups stopped working  on my Macintosh laptop (Powerbook,iBook,MacBook)?
OR
When doing a manual backup on my Macintosh laptop, why do I have to keep entering the TSM Node password?
Answer:
 In brief, the TSM client for Macintosh OS X v 5.3 software assumes that the hostname of the system running the client will not change.  However, this is an invalid assumption.  As delivered, the hostname of the Macintosh can be changed by DHCP when switching networks.  This can happen, for example, when roving on wireless networks such as Red Rover.

  The TSM developers are aware of this issue, but it is design issue and not easily coded around.  In the meantime, they have suggested as a workaround setting the hostname to a fixed value.  We on the EZ-Backup team have been testing this workaround for 2 months, and have not found any services, Cornell-provided or otherwise, that failed as a result of this change.

  To the best of our knowledge, the hostname can NOT be changed using Mac OS X provided tools (System Preferences, etc).  We have developed the following steps:
  1. Select a hostname for the Macintosh, with the assistance of your technical support staff.
  2. Logon to the Macintosh using an administrator id
  3. Open a terminal window: Applications->Utilities->Terminal.
  4. At the prompt, type the following (on one line!), replacing YOURHOSTNAMEHERE with the hostname you've chosen:

    sudo ksh -c "echo \"HOSTNAME=YOURHOSTNAMEHERE\" >> /etc/hostconfig"

  5. You will be asked for a password; enter your Mac admin password
  6. You can then exit from the Terminal application.
  7. You must reboot the Mac for the change to take effect
  8. After rebooting, start the "TSM Backup for Adminstrators" application
  9. When prompted, login using the TSM Node password (this should be the last time you need to do this!)
  10. Exit the "TSM Backup for Administrators" application
  11. To test, start the "TSM Backup for Administrators" application again - the application should start without prompting you for a password.

For more information send email to ezbackup@cornell.edu.

   
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