The Mac OS X 10.5.7 update that Apple released yesterday fixes a number of bugs, two of which we have been covering. One is the problem of Leopard Macs losing Active Directory binding. The other a bug with searching AFP server volumes. Both problems were caused by changes made in the Mac OS X 10.5.6 update.

With the Active Directory bug, users appear to be able to login, but after a period a time the Macs become un-bound. Some readers reported that unbinding and rebinding the Mac to Active Directory sometimes worked, though other readers reported that it did not, or that it only worked for a period.

Apple said that there was a problem "that that could cause Directory Service configuration files to become unreadable, causing directory binding to not work." Readers reported in February that the affected file is a Kerberos configuration file: /private/var/db/dslocal/nodes/Default/config/Kerberos:YOURDOMAIN.NET.plist

A new Apple tech support article verifies a fix that we first reported in February, which is to delete the Kerberos file if the 10.5.7 update doesn't work: "If the issue persists after verifying DNS consistency, certain Kerberos configuration files used by Mac OS X may need to be created again. To remove and re-create the files, execute the Terminal commands listed below..."

if the 10.5.7 update fixes this issue for you.

Update fixes Spotlight searches of AFP file servers

The second bug, first identified by Group Logic, results in Spotlight reporting no results when users search AFP file servers. The bug does not occur with Mac OS X Server 105, but does occur with all other AFP file servers, including Mac OS X Server v10.4, Time Capsule, Group Logic's ExtremeZ-IP, and Windows Services for Macintosh. Group Logic confirmed that Apple fixed the bug in yesterday's Mac OS X 10.5.7 update.

• The update also fixed a number of other issues, including several releated to networking. These include:
• Improved stability for network home directories hosted by Mac OS X Server 10.4 Tiger
• Improved network performance when connected to certain Ethernet switches that have Flow Control enabled.
• Various improvements to directory service and client management
• Improved iCal reliability with CalDav and with syncing with MobileMe
• Fixes and improvements to printing reliability and issues with paper trays on some printers.

If you've tried Mac OS X 10.5.7 if it fixes or causes any bugs with cross-platform issues, including networking, Boot Camp, and virtualizing Windows on a Mac.

Apple also released the Mac OS X Server 10.5.7 update.

Mac OS X Server 10.5.7 addesses minor issues