Connecting to Active Directory resources using Mac OS 8.5-9.2.2.
Macintosh computers do not support Active Directory natively, but they are capable of connecting to Active Directory-based file shares. These instructions work for any version of the Mac OS from 8.5 to 9.2.x. If you are using Mac OS X, please see this page instead. It is highly recommended that you use Mac OS 9 or later to connect to Active Directory resources. Note that you need to know the name of the server and file share that you are connecting to ahead of time; this information will most likely be provided by an instructor if you are a student or a departmental administrator if you are faculty or staff.
Please note that some servers do not allow access from client computers running Mac OS 8.5 through 9.2.x; inquire with the owner of the resource as to whether or not Services for Macintosh are available on the server before attempting to connect. Computers running Mac OS 8.5 through 9.2.x cannot connect to Active Directory resources from off campus.
To connect, follow the steps below:
- Before you will be able to connect, you must ensure that your
Kerberos password has been synchronized with the Active Directory.
To do this, complete the form on this
page. It will take approximately fifteen minutes for the
changes to take effect. You only need to do this once. You will
need to follow the rest of the steps below each time you wish
to connect.
- Download and install the Microsoft UAM (User
Authentication Module) for the Mac OS. It is available from
this
page. Be sure that you download the Mac OS 8.5 to 9.2
version.
- After you have installed the Microsoft UAM, you are ready
to connect. To do so, go to the Apple Menu
and select Chooser. In the Chooser, select
the icon for AppleShare. Click the Server
IP Address… button, and enter the name of the
server that you are connecting to in the box. Click Connect.
- You will now be presented with a dialog box prompting you
to choose the log in method. Choose Microsoft Authentication
V5.0 (v2). and click OK.

- You will now be prompted for your credentials. In the Name:
box, enter ad\username, replacing "username"
with your BU login name. Be sure to use a backslash ("\")
rather than a forward slash ("/") to seperate "ad"
and your username. Enter your Kerberos password
in the Password: box. Click Connect.

- You will now be presented with a list of shares which you are authorized to connect to. Choose the appropriate one, and click OK. The disk will appear on your desktop the same as any other disk would. When you are ready to disconnect, you need only to select that disk and choose to eject it.

