Managing software updates on Macs

[-Tim]

Does anyone have a good solution to manage software updates on a large group of iMacs? We are currently using software update service on OSX Server 10.8 and ARD to send the "Install all software updates" Unix command to all of the iMacs at once. With any version changes to OSX, dozens of iMacs get hung up on the next restart and have to be powered off manually. We would like to avoid this issue and also take a more automated approach. Ideally, the Macs would just subscribe to the update server, check for updates and install on a restart that could be scheduled overnight.

[TomCollins]

Most OS X updates do not require a restart, it's mainly only OS updates, for which I could advise you to download the combo update from Apple and just send it out with ARD (or DeployStudio if you use it), which would mean that you can choose when the major updates are completed. If I am not mistaken, I also believe the combo update contains other updates as well, not just for the OS.

[Chris_Cook]

How about munki? it can automatically install updates and new software too.

 

It might not solve the problems with hangs though. You could use reposado as well, then setup a test group of macs to trial the updates to see which ones hang.

 

https://code.google.com/p/munki/

Getting Started With Munki

https://github.com/wdas/reposado

Introducing Reposado | Managing OS X

[featured_spectre]

@synaesthesia is probably a good person to ask. He utilises Macs on a daily basis.

[synaesthesia]

Wrong person there, @nephilim ! I avoid Macs on a daily basis.

[NotVeryPC]

You should have a good look a Munki.

Once you get your head around it, it is a very powerful tool.

Amsys have a nice blog post about using munki for this.

Using Munki to Manage Apple Software Updates » Amsys

[featured_spectre]

Sorry, I thought you dealt with them daily...my bad!

[mac_shinobi]

@AntonioRocco or @Rozzer. Not sure if I've got the names right. Apologies if not !!

@synaesthesia and @SYNACK both loath / hate and slate apple / macs etc lol

Edited April 7, 2013 by mac_shinobi