Although two updates to Apple Computer Inc.'s Mac OS X Tiger have fixed many compatibility problems, enterprise networking problems persist. A new update, version 10.4.3, is expected this summer, and will address some of the remaining problems, according to sources.
Sources say that the update will fix continuing problems with integration with Microsoft Corp. Activity Directory, SMB file sharing and lower-level networking issues. Problems in these areas are being reported in discussion forums at Apple's Web site and around the Internet.
VPN (virtual private network) connectivity, including connecting to Cisco Systems Inc.'s concentrators, is one of the more persistent problem areas. Most VPN clients that worked under previous versions of Mac OS X were incompatible with Tiger 10.4.0. Apple's 10.4.1 update fixed a kernel bug, enabling some VPN client developers to release Tiger-compatible versions.
Cisco has released two post-Tiger versions of its Mac OS X VPN client, but some problems have persisted. A May release, version 4.6.03, caused kernel panics on dual-processor Macs, which the company acknowledged at the release. Cisco followed up with the more stable version 4.6.04 in June, but noted that there were several unresolved problems with connecting through VPNs.
One of these prevents the VPN client from connecting when switching from networks or waking from sleep. Cisco has provided Unix commands that can reconnect when these problems occur.
Read the full story on eWEEK.com: Apple Will Target Tiger's Networking Glitches
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