Description
This article addresses a previous compatibility issue between the Netmaker Remote Access Client (RAC) installer and macOS. Earlier versions might have encountered errors due to a mismatch between the required Bash version (4+) and the default Bash version (3) on macOS. according to this article https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252176464?sortBy=best:
"Apple has dropped support for bash, which is widely used in Linux systems, due to licensing issues. Newer versions of bash are licensed with GPL v3.0 which is more restrictive (basically it doesn't allow to be packaged with other non-free software)".
This has been an issue for Netmaker We're happy to announce that the latest RAC installer has been updated to resolve this conflict. Our installers have had trouble installing the RAC as root, because root favors version 3. Our new mac installer does not replace that version of bash, because your machine needs that one. Instead, it places an updated version of bash in your /usr/local/bin and points the RAC program to that one so wg-quick can run without an issue. This is much like homebrew does for the same reason.
Steps to Reproduce (No Longer Applicable)
The previous steps to reproduce the Bash version conflict are no longer applicable. The newly built installer automatically includes the necessary Bash dependency, eliminating the need for manual upgrades.
Resolution Steps
The solution is simple:
Download the Latest RAC Installer: Obtain the latest RAC installer for macOS from the Netmaker file server. We offer installers for both M1 and Intel-based Macs.
Run the Installer: Double-click the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen instructions. The installer will handle any necessary Bash dependencies, ensuring a smooth installation process. It may take a little longer to install due to the bash installation.
Impact
The updated RAC installer significantly improves the user experience for macOS users. The installer now seamlessly integrates the required Bash version, eliminating compatibility issues and simplifying the installation process.
Related Documentation
Netmaker Remote Access Client Documentation: https://docs.netmaker.io/pro/rac.html
Bash documentation: https://www.gnu.org/savannah-checkouts/gnu/bash/manual/bash.html