Mac OS X Support Essentials

The OS X Support Essentials 10.10 training course is a 3 day leader led course with plenty of hands on labs that is designed for technical professionals who want to learn about the OS X file system and software that runs on Macintosh computers.

The main goal of this course is to introduce technicians to the basic techniques for using Apple’s tools for installing, configuring and troubleshooting OS X.

The first day covers OS X Installation and Configuration, focusing on initial installation and setup, to software updates, user account creation and management and file system security. The second day looks into usage management. Permissions, System resources, Compression and backup solutions, Application and Document management. The final day takes attendees through Networking. From basic theory, to configuration and troubleshooting. The afternoon wraps up the course with a collection of system troubleshooting chapters.

Installation and Configuration: Prepare and partition the drive, install OS X Yosemite, use the installer log files to verify a successful installation, booting to OS X Recovery, configure OS X Yosemite with the Setup Assistant, installing configuration profiles, tips and techniques for troubleshooting an installation problem.

Users Accounts: Create and manage user accounts, create and manage administrator accounts, locate directory attributes, security, resetting passwords and managing Keychain passwords.

File Systems: File systems supported by OS X Yosemite, Disk Utility and file repair. Full disk encryption via Filevault 2. File sharing permissions and troubleshooting.

Data Management: The root volume, file system layout, preferences, managing hidden items, file types unique to OS X Yosemite (i.e., resource forks and packages), Metadata in OS X, Spotlight, file archives, 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 OS X Yosemite, application security, installation and troubleshooting of applications, uninstalling applications, managing Gatekeeper, Quick Look, advanced features such as auto save, versions, resume and iCloud integration. New iCloud Drive feature explored.

Network Configuration: Basic networking configuration, TCP/IP networking, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, multiple network connections, appropriate use of network locations, isolating and troubleshooting network elements and using VPN.

Network Services: Connecting to common network resources, AFP, SMB, SSH, FTP, and WebDAV connections, Bonjour, NetBIOS, the network browser, isolating client software issues from network issues. Enabling network services on a OS X Yosemite client, peer-to-peer collaboration, screen sharing, AirDrop, firewall as well as techniques to isolate server issues from client and network issues.

System Management: Connecting peripherals to a Mac, cabling, connections, device drivers for common peripherals. 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.

Course Dates

15/7/2015 in Central London

27/7/2015 in Central London

4/8/2015 in Manchester

12/8/2015 in Central London

26/8/2015 in Central London

2/9/2015 in South London

7/9/2015 in Central London

7/9/2015 in Manchester

21/9/2015 in Central London

5/10/2015 in Manchester

7/10/2015 in Central London

14/10/2015 in South London

21/10/2015 in Central London

3/11/2015 in Manchester

4/11/2015 in Central London

11/11/2015 in South London

18/11/2015 in Central London

30/11/2015 in Central London

1/12/2015 in Manchester

2/12/2015 in South London

16/12/2015 in Central London

21/12/2015 in South London

Help desk specialists, technical coordinators, service technicians or IT professionals who need to effectively support users of OS X systems.

Technical support personnel in businesses that use Macs for general productivity or creative design.

Technical coordinators or power users who manage networks of computers running OS X, such as teachers and technology specialists who manage classroom networks or computer labs.

Resellers, distributors, systems integrators, and consultants who are selling Mac computers.

The material assumes you have a basic understanding of Mac OS X skills and terminology.

An IT background or basic computer troubleshooting knowledge is also advisable