Apple Pro Training Series: macOS Support Essentials 10.12

The Apple-Certified Way to Learn

This is the official curriculum of the macOS Support Essentials 10.12 course and preparation for Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) 10.12 certification–as well as a top-notch primer for anyone who needs to support, troubleshoot, or optimize macOS Sierra. The only Apple-certified book on the market, this guide is designed for support technicians, help desk specialists, and ardent Mac users and takes you deep inside the macOS Sierra operating system. You’ll find in-depth, step-by-step instruction on everything from installing and configuring macOS Sierra to managing networks and system administration–all on your way to preparing for the industry-standard ACSP certification.

• Covers updated system utilities and new features of macOS Sierra, including Siri and Optimized Storage.

• Features authoritative explanations of underlying technologies, troubleshooting, system administration, and much more.

• Focused lessons take you step by step through practical, real-world tasks.

• Lesson files and bonus material available for download–including lesson review questions to help prepare you for the Apple certification exam.

• Web Edition provides full text of the book available online as part of our Content Update Program with revised content for significant software updates.

Kevin M. White serves the Apple community through his company, Macjutsu Inc., which is dedicated to sharing knowledge of the “Apple way.” He is a trainer and a regular presenter at Apple industry events. Kevin co-authored his first book in 2005 and has subsequently authored or co-authored several books including OS X Support Essentials 10.11 and Managing Apple Devices.

Gordon Davisson has spent over 20 years working with Apple hardware and software and designing and implementing networking solutions. An Apple Certified System Administrator, Gordon has also been an Apple Certified Trainer since 2002 and is a consultant and instructor teaching macOS and other courses. Gordon was the co-author of OS X Support Essentials 10.11.

Lesson 1: Install macOS Sierra

Reference 1.1
About macOS Sierra

Reference 1.2
Select an Installation Method

Reference 1.3
Prepare to Upgrade a Previous System

Reference 1.4
Prepare the System Disk

Reference 1.5
Upgrade and Install macOS

Reference 1.6
Troubleshoot Installation Issues

Exercise 1.1
Prepare a Mac for Upgrade

Exercise 1.2
Upgrade to macOS Sierra

Exercise 1.3
Erase a Mac System and Install macOS Sierra

Exercise 1.4
Verify System Installation

Lesson 2 Set Up and Configure macOS

Reference 2.1
Configure a New System

Reference 2.2
Manage System Settings

Reference 2.3
Inspect System Information

Exercise 2.1
Configure a New macOS System for Exercises

Exercise 2.2
Configure an Existing macOS System for Exercises

Exercise 2.3
Examine System Preferences

Exercise 2.4
Download the Student Materials in a Classroom

Exercise 2.5
Download the Student Materials Independently

Exercise 2.6
Install a Configuration Profile

Exercise 2.7
Examine System Information

Lesson 3 Use macOS Recovery

Reference 3.1
Start Up From macOS Recovery

Reference 3.2
About macOS Recovery Utilities

Reference 3.3
Create a macOS Recovery Disk

Exercise 3.1
Use macOS Recovery

Exercise 3.2
Create a macOS Install Disk

Lesson 4 Update macOS

Exercise 4.1
Manually Install Software Updates in a Classroom

Exercise 4.2
Manually Install Software Updates Independently

Exercise 4.3
Use Automatic Software Update

Reference 4.1
About Automatic Software Updates

Reference 4.2
Manually Install Updates

Reference 4.3
Examine Installation History

Lesson 5 Manage User Accounts

Reference 5.1
About User Accounts

Reference 5.2
Configure User Accounts

Reference 5.3
Restrict Local User Access

Reference 5.4
Configure Login and Fast User Switching

Exercise 5.1
Create a Standard User Account

Exercise 5.2
Create a Managed User Account

Lesson 6 Manage User Home Folders

Reference 6.1
About User Home Folders

Reference 6.2
Delete User Accounts

Reference 6.3
Migrate and Restore Home Folders

Exercise 6.1
Restore a Deleted User Account

Lesson 7 Manage Security and Privacy

Reference 7.1
About Password Security

Reference 7.2
Manage Secrets in Keychain

Reference 7.3
Use iCloud Keychain

Reference 7.4
Manage System Security

Reference 7.5
Manage User Privacy

Exercise 7.1
Manage Keychains

Lesson 8 Manage Password Changes

Reference 8.1
Change Known Passwords

Reference 8.2
Reset Lost Passwords

Reference 8.3
Reset User Keychains

Reference 8.4
Secure System Startup

Exercise 8.1
Reset Account Passwords in macOS Recovery

Exercise 8.2
Reset Account Passwords

Exercise 8.3
Create a New Keychain

Exercise 8.4
Use a Firmware Password

File Systems and Storage (Section)

Lesson 9 Manage File Systems and Storage

Reference 9.1
About File Systems

Reference 9.2
Mount, Unmount, and Eject Disks

Reference 9.3
Inspect File-System Components

Reference 9.4
Manage File Systems

Reference 9.5
Troubleshoot File Systems

Exercise 9.1
Repartition a Disk Dynamically

Exercise 9.2
Erase a Disk

Exercise 9.3
Repair Partitions and Volumes in Target Disk Mode

Exercise 9.4
Repair Partitions and Volumes in Recovery Mode

Reference 10.1
About FileVault

Reference 10.2
Enable FileVault

Reference 10.3
Use FileVault Recovery

Exercise 10.1
Turn On FileVault

Exercise 10.2
Restart a FileVault-Protected System

Exercise 10.3
Use a FileVault Recovery Key

Exercise 10.4
Turn Off FileVault

Lesson 11 Manage Permissions and Sharing

Reference 11.1
About File-System Permissions

Reference 11.2
Examine Permissions for Sharing

Reference 11.3
Manage Permissions

Exercise 11.1
Create Items with Default Permissions

Exercise 11.2
Test Permissions Changes

Lesson 12 Use Hidden Items, Shortcuts, and File Archives

Reference 12.1
Examine Hidden Items

Reference 12.2
Examine Bundles and Packages

Reference 12.3
Use File-System Shortcuts

Reference 12.4
Use File Archives

Exercise 12.1
Navigate Hidden Items

Lesson 13 Manage System Resources

Reference 13.1
About macOS File Resources

Reference 13.2
About System Integrity Protection

Reference 13.3
Manage Font Resources

Exercise 13.1
Manage Font Resources

Lesson 14 Use Metadata, Spotlight, and Siri Exercise

Reference 14.1
About File System Metadata

Reference 14.2
Search With Spotlight and Siri

Exercise 14.1
Examine File Metadata

Lesson 15 Manage Time Machine

Reference 15.1
About Time Machine

Reference 15.2
Configure Time Machine

Reference 15.3
Restore from Time Machine

Exercise 15.1
Configure Time Machine

Exercise 15.2
Restore Using Time Machine

Applications and Processes

Lesson 16 Install Applications

Reference 16.1
Use the Mac App Store

Reference 16.2
About Process Environments

Reference 16.3
About Application Security

Reference 16.4
Use Traditional Installation Methods

Reference 16.5
Remove Installed Software

Exercise 16.1
Use the Mac App Store

Exercise 16.2
Use an Installer Package

Exercise 16.3
Use a Drag-and-Drop Install

Exercise 16.4
Remove Applications

Lesson 17 Manage Documents

Exercise 17.1

Use Alternate Applications

Exercise 17.2
Use Auto Save and Versions

Exercise 17.3
Manage Document Locking

Exercise 17.4
Store Documents in iCloud

Lesson 18 Manage and Troubleshoot Applications

Reference 18.1
About Applications and Processes

Reference 18.2
Manage Application Extensions

Reference 18.3
Monitor Applications and Processes

Reference 18.4
Troubleshoot Applications

Exercise 18.1
Force Applications to Quit

Exercise 18.3
Examine Application Diagnostics

Lesson 19 Manage Basic Network Settings

Reference 19.1
About Network Terminology

Reference 19.2
About Network Activity

Reference 19.3
Configure Basic Network Settings

Exercise 19.1
Connect to a Wi-Fi Network

Exercise 19.2
Monitor Network Connectivity

Lesson 20 Manage Advanced Network Settings

Reference 20.1
Manage Network Locations

Reference 20.2
About Network Interfaces and Protocols

Reference 20.3
Manage Network Services

Reference 20.4
Configure VPN Settings

Reference 20.5
Configure Advanced Network Settings

Exercise 20.1
Configure Network Locations

Exercise 20.2
Configure Network Service Order

Exercise 20.3
Configure VPN Settings

Exercise 20.4
Advanced Wi-Fi Configuration

Lesson 21 Troubleshoot Network Issues

Reference 21.1
Troubleshoot General Network Issues

Reference 21.2
Troubleshoot Using Network Utility

Exercise 21.1
Troubleshoot Network Connectivity

Exercise 22.1
Configure a Network Service Account

Lesson 22 Manage Network Services

Reference 22.1
About Network Services

Reference 22.2
Configure Network Service Applications

Reference 22.3
Connect to File-Sharing Services

Reference 22.5
Troubleshoot Network Services

Exercise 22.2
Use File-Sharing Services

Exercise 22.3
Troubleshoot Network Services

Lesson 23 Manage Host Sharing and Personal Firewall

Reference 23.1
Enable Host-Sharing Services

Reference 23.2
Control Remote Computers

Reference 23.3
Share Files via AirDrop

Reference 23.4
Manage the Personal Firewall

Reference 23.5
Troubleshoot Shared Services

Exercise 23.1
Use Host-Sharing Services

Exercise 23.2
Configure the Personal Firewall

Lesson 24 Troubleshoot Peripherals

Reference 24.1
About Peripheral Technologies

Reference 24.2
Manage Bluetooth Devices

Reference 24.3
Troubleshoot Peripheral Issues

Exercise 24.1
Examine Peripherals via System Information

Reference 25.2
Configure Printers and Scanners

Reference 25.3
Manage Print Jobs

Reference 25.4
Troubleshoot Printing Issues

Exercise 25.1
Configure Printing

Exercise 25.2
Manage Printing

Exercise 25.3
Troubleshoot the Printing System

Lesson 26 Troubleshoot Startup and System Issues

Reference 26.1
Understand System Initialization

Reference 26.2
About User Sessions

Reference 26.3
About Sleep Modes, Logout, and Shutdown

Reference 26.4
Use Startup Shortcuts

Reference 26.5
Troubleshoot System Initialization

Reference 26.6
Troubleshoot User Sessions

Exercise 26.1
Examine System Startup

Exercise 26.2
Use Single-User Mode