What is Jamf Connect?
Jamf Connect is a program for authenticating user credentials and allowing the creation of new user accounts on St. Olaf Mac computers, including laptops and desktops. Jamf Connect uses your St. Olaf email and password to authenticate you. In practice, this means you will see a Google login screen when starting up your Mac computer. This new function will also affect how you add printers (see below). Please note, this does not affect iPads.
Why the Change?
Our current method of authenticating, using Active Directory, will no longer being supported by either Microsoft or Apple. Due to security reasons, beginning mid-July 2022, Microsoft will require a security patch which disables key functionality for allowing Macs to sign in with our current system.
How Does Jamf Connect Work?
The Google-style login window is the new way to login to all St. Olaf computers, including laptops and iMac desktop computers. The login will require your full email address (with the @stolaf.edu), password, and 2-step authentication.
When you first login to any St. Olaf MacOS, you will need to use the Jamf Connect Google sign-in (at least the first time). This is how your account will be created on that specific St. Olaf Mac computer.
Once you have signed in this way at least once on the Mac computer, you can optionally switch to Local Login; see steps below.
How Do I Install Jamf Connect?
The program is automatically installed on ALL campus Macs, including laptops and iMac desktop computers. If the program is not installed, or if you are having issues, please follow the install steps listed below. You do not need to be on campus to install Jamf Connect; the installation works whether you are on or off campus.
To Install:
- Make sure you are signed in as yourself on the St. Olaf laptop or desktop computer.
- Open the application named Self Service.
- From the menu on the left, under the Browse section, select Jamf Connect, then select Install under "Jamf Connect Setup".
Please note that once the install completes, it will notify you that the item is no longer available; this is normal for this installation and means it has been installed successfully.
- Next, a Jamf Connect login window *might* pop-up. Please make sure that you are not signed in as someone else, and then enter your FULL email address into this pop-up, including @stolaf.edu, and your password. If the login window does not pop-up, do not worry.
- That's it! You have now installed Jamf Connect
Jamf Connect is Installed, Now What?
You won't see that much has changed, other than a new icon in the top menu bar. This is normal. When you logout, restart, or shutdown your computer, you will see the new login window:
Logging into a Mac computer is similar to signing into any Google service: simply enter your St. Olaf email, password, and 2-step. Please note that unlike other methods, your 2-step will NOT be remembered. As an alternative, after your first login to Jamf Connect, you can choose Local Login (see below).
You will NOT see the Jamf Connect login when your computer is locked or goes to sleep; it only shows when you turn on your computer (after a shutdown), restart, or logout of the machine.
What is Local Login and How Do I Use It?
NOTE: This option only works after you've logged in with the Jamf Connect Google login window at least once to that specific computer.
Local login is just another way to login to your computer. It is very similar to how you logged in the past: same login, access to tools, software, files, WiFi, etc. The difference is that Local Login does not require 2-step. If you do not have internet, you must use this method. To use Local Login, please follow the steps below.
- At the login screen, select Local Login at the bottom:
- At the Login screen, enter your username and password, then click Log In:
I'm Having Problems, I Need Help!
Please try running the installer again, following the same steps detailed above.
If the 2-step Window displays a server error message, please hit the refresh button on the bottom and try logging in again.
Please contact our IT Helpdesk by filling out a Software Issue ticket or call 507-786-3830.
Printing
As mentioned above, Active Directory with Macs will no longer being supported. This impacts printing because it was the method used to install printers (through System Preferences).
I Have a Printer Already Installed, Will It Work?
Yes, if you have a printer installed, and it's worked for you in the past, it will continue to work as normal.
I Need to Install a New Printer
To install a new printer, please follow these steps:
- Open the application named Self Service
- From the menu on the left, under the Browse section, select Printers:
- Find your printer in the list and select Install
If your printer is not in the list: please fill out a Printing Request ticket, and include the name of the printer. You will be informed when the printer has been added to Self Service.
Printing Is Not Working, Help!
If your current (previously installed) printer is not working, please follow these steps:
- Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners
- Find your printer in the list - make a note of the printer name, you will need this for later
- Select your printer from the list and click the - (subtract) button to delete it:
- Once the printer is deleted, please follow the steps above to Install a New Printer.
If you continue to have printing issues, please contact our IT Helpdesk by filling out a Printing Issue ticket or call 507-786-3830.