UNC Asheville is transitioning from NoMAD to Jamf Connect. When you upgrade your university Mac to macOS Big Sur, NoMAD is replaced by Jamf Connect.

Jamf Connect provides many improvements to using your Mac, including the ability to log in to your Mac after a password change while off campus, without connecting to VPN.

Jamf Connect also replaces the default macOS login window with a new branded look and functionality tailored to UNC Asheville.

Please read About Jamf Connect to understand these important changes.

ITS recommends you upgrade to macOS Big Sur to take advantage of Jamf Connect.


NoMAD is a menu bar utility that keeps your university-provided Mac in sync with your UNC Asheville Security Account. It also adds shortcuts and other convenient features.

Features

  • Keeps your UNC Asheville Security Account password synchronized with your Mac.
  • When you change your UNC Asheville Security Account password, NoMAD will help you update your Mac's keychain and FileVault2 passwords.
  • Keeps your Mac connected to the UNCA printer network so you don't have to authenticate each print job.
  • Adds quick access to campus Windows-hosted file shares.
  • Reminds you when your password is about to expire.
  • Adds shortcuts to your Mac's menu bar to easily access the password change utility, Self Service, the ITS Knowledge Base, and your ITS Service Desk tickets.

Why we use NoMAD

You must change your UNC Asheville Security Account password every 90 days. When you change your password using the Password Change Utility, your Mac is not automatically aware of your new password.

NoMAD bridges this gap by keeping your Mac connected to your UNC Asheville Security Account, and will detect when your password is changed. This helps you avoid annoying Keychain prompts and other authentication frustrations.

Installing NoMAD

If you don't already have NoMAD installed on your Mac you can use Self Service to install it.

Open Self Service, then click the "Install" button below NoMAD.

Signing In

NoMAD automatically launches when you log in to your Mac. The first time NoMAD opens you'll be asked to sign in with your UNC Asheville Security Account credentials.

NoMAD will securely store your UNC Asheville Security Account credentials in your keychain.

Using NoMAD

NoMAD runs in your menu bar in the upper right corner of your Mac screen. When you're on campus and connected to a UNC Asheville network, you'll see a triangle icon with a green check.

The NoMAD menu bar item also displays the number of days until you are required to change your password.

When you click the NoMAD menu bar icon you'll see a list of options.

  • Change Password will open your default web browser to the UNC Asheville Password Change Utility.
  • Sign Out will sign you out of UNC Asheville networks.
  • File Servers will help you connect to campus Windows-hosted file shares.
  • Self Service will open Self Service to help you install apps.
  • Start Remote Support will initiate a Bomgar remote support session with ITS staff. Only click this menu item if you've been directed to do so by ITS staff.
  • ITS Knowledge Base will open the ITS Knowledge Base to view helpful guides and documentation.


Password Sync

NoMAD helps you keep your Mac's password in sync with your UNC Asheville Security Account. This avoids issues with your keychain, printers, and FileVault disk encryption when you change your password.

When you change your UNC Asheville password, NoMAD will detect the change within a few minutes and send you a notification.

Click Sign In to re-synchronize your Mac password with your new UNC Asheville Security Account password. You'll need to enter your previous password when prompted.

Accessing Windows-hosted File Shares

NoMAD helps you connect to campus Windows-hosted file shares. You may hear these referred to as the "S Drive" or "R Drive".

Click the NoMAD menu bar item, then hover over File Servers to see a list of available Windows-hosted file shares.

Click a file share to connect and begin browsing files to which you have access.

NoMAD Off Campus

If you're not on campus, NoMAD won't be able to connect with your UNC Asheville Security Account. You won't see the green check or the number of days until your password expires.

If you change your password while off campus, NoMAD won't detect the change until the next time you connect to a UNC Asheville network.

However, if you're off campus you can connect to VPN. NoMAD will then function normally.

Quitting NoMAD

NoMAD is essential to keeping your university Mac in sync with your UNC Asheville Security Account. If you quit NoMAD, it will automatically re-open.

If you experience issues with NoMAD, please contact the ITS Service Desk.