Set preferences on client computers with Remote Desktop
You can set preferences on client computers, such as the startup disk and time.
Set the startup disk
You can set the startup disk on any client computer. The startup disk must have a valid operating system installed on it. To set the startup volume to a local volume for multiple computers, use the same volume for all computers.
In Remote Desktop
, select a computer list in the sidebar of the main window, select one or more computers, then choose Manage > Set Startup Disk.The list shows the client’s local volumes.
Choose a local volume on the client, select Hard Disk, click Edit, then enter the desired volume name.
Select Restart When Done.
You must have administrator privileges on the client computer.
Click Set.
The client computer restarts after having its startup volume set.
Rename computers
You can rename a client computer.
You can rename multiple computers with the same name followed by a number. This is useful for differentiating client computers after a clean system installation. Renaming computers doesn’t change the local hostname or the DNS name.
In Remote Desktop
, select a computer list in the sidebar of the main window, select one or more computers, then choose Manage > Rename Computers.Enter the new computer name.
Select “Append a unique number for each computer.”
This option appends a unique number to the end of the computer name.
Click Rename.
Turn computer audio on and off
You can turn the audio on and off for client computers. For example, you can silence a lab of computers playing music, or turn on audio on a single remote computer.
Turning computer audio on or off requires the use of AppleScript and the UNIX command osascript. For information, see Execute commands remotely.
In Remote Desktop
, select a computer list in the sidebar of the main window, select one or more computers, then choose Manage > Send UNIX Command.Choose a UNIX template.
Click the Template pop-up menu, choose Miscellaneous > Volume On or Miscellaneous > Volume Off, then click Send.
Change Energy Saver preferences
You can change the settings and options in the Energy Saver pane of System Preferences. For example, you can set all the clients to sleep at the same time or set clients to wake for Remote Desktop administration.
Change Energy Saver preferences using the UNIX command systemsetup. For information, see About systemsetup.
In Remote Desktop
, select a computer list in the sidebar of the main window, select one or more computers, then choose Manage > Send UNIX Command.Select any of the following Energy Saver items from the System Setup template:
System Sleep Time
Display Sleep Time
Hard Disk Sleep Time
Wake On Network Access
Restart After Power Failure
After selecting a command, edit the appropriate parameters shown in the window, then click Send.
Change sharing preferences for remote login
You can change, enable, or disable a remote computer’s sharing preference.
Set the remote login sharing preference using the UNIX command systemsetup. For information, see About systemsetup.
In Remote Desktop
, select a computer list in the sidebar of the main window, select one or more computers, then choose Manage > Send UNIX Command.Do one of the following:
Choose System Setup > Remote Login (SSH) from the Template pop-up menu, then set the login to on or off.
Enter the following command:
systemsetup -setremotelogin (on | off)Under “Run command as,” select “User,” then enter “root”.
Click Send.