Deploying Universal Type Client 3.x

[Kedgar]

We are now running version 2.3.x of the type client (had many issues deploying it when we did). I would like to know if anyone has any tips on upgrades or new installations using the UTC 3 installer. Also any tips on deployment would be great... today we are using self-service and a modified package for UTC 2

Specific issues I had in UTC 2.x:
plug-ins not installed
ability to install plug-ins separately (ie, someone doesn't have an app at time of UTC install)
* Ownership of application files (the install script uses the logged-in user for ownership)

Thanks for your help!

[donmontalvo]

UTS3 client doesn't need to be re-packaged, push via policy.

The plug-ins can be packaged separately and scoped to computers that have the UTC3 package you installed with the first policy plus the specific apps that the plug-ins are for.

The plug-in folders for CS are localized, make sure your PKG is aware of the full path to the folder. There have been issues in the past with those CS localized plug-in folders. I submitted RADAR 5240367 back in 2007; at the time PackageMaker choked on the Illustrator plug-in path...but didn't have a problem with InDesign/Photoshop plug-in paths.

Don

[Mauricio]

Hi Kedgar

We upgraded to UTC 3.0.1 a while back. We found an issue with Extensis UTC/UTS 3 where the fonts cache download was very slow and stopping.
You will need to create file at:
/Library/Preferences/com.extensis.UniversalTypeClient.conf
and it the conf file add:
--
quickmatch.enabled = false
font.license-compliance.enabled = false
--
Create a dmg for it and upload to Casper

We are using the the package installer form Extensis (UTC3.mpkg), no changes.
We created a policy at start up to install UTC3.mpkg and UniversalTypeClient.dmg for a smart group using UTC 2.

We use self-service policy to upgrade Adobe CS suites and in there we delete all previous CS files (including the plug-ins). The policy consists of:
1. a script to delete any CS suite > run before
2. install the Adobe CS suite, updates, AIR, Acrobat Pro...
3. install UniversalTypeClient Configuration - fix for the server speed issue
4. install UTCplugin.pkg - in Casper Admin tick require reboot for the package and done!

----------

UTCplugin.pkg is a payload free package with the following installation check script

----
#!/bin/sh
## InstallationCheck

pathToScript=$0
pathToPackage=$1
defaultLocation=$2
targetVolume=$3

if [ -d "$3/Applications/Universal Type Client.app" ]
then
jamf install -package "extensis_utc3.mpkg" -path /Volumes/Casper/Packages/ -target $3

else
exit 0
fi
----

So if the mac has UTC installed it will run the installation again as an update, if not move on.
For the permissions issue, self-service runs as root so no problems there.
We try to keep the original installation package as part of the deployment so upgrades are simpler.

Hope this helps
Regards
Mauricio

[Kedgar]

Mauricio,

Which OS are you running the server on? What did Extensis say regarding the needed fix, it seems you are disabling some features that may be desired.

Thank you!

[mcmaddog]

I've been testing UTC 3.1 and 3.2, upgrading from 3.01 and after installation Recon errors out when trying to upload inventory reports. Has anyone else experienced a similar problem?

[taugust04]

I haven't seen any issues with Recon after deploying UTC 3.2....

Where I have been seeing a lot of issues is with InDesign CS6. Anyone else seeing frequent crashing when the UTC auto-activation plug-in is enabled?

[donmontalvo]

@taugust04 wrote:

Anyone else seeing frequent crashing when the UTC auto-activation plug-in is enabled?

We're not seeing any problems so far. We had an issue with 3.1 not activating certain fonts, and crashing instead, but the issue was fixed with 3.2. Ironically the issue you mention is acknolwedged and the temporary fix is to downgrade to 3.1. :)

http://www.extensis.com/support/knowledge-base/utc-3-2-hangs-when-attempting-to-activate-fonts-on-ma...

[cmeyer]

Hello all,

You should upgrade to the latest Universal Type Client 3.3.0 to resolve some known CS issues and other client performance enhancements.

Release Notes
http://www.extensis.com/downloads/release-notes/universal-type-client-3-mac/

Installers
http://www.extensis.com/support/product-support/universal-type-server-3/

Also by adding the indicated lines to your client config. files you are disabling some client functionality that you may or may not want to use.

Here is a brief explanation regarding each feature's purpose.
(quickmatch.enabled) - Quickmatch is a client side font matching search technology that indexes the user's fonts upon first replication. Indexing can be slow depending upon the number of fonts being managed. Best Practice - It is recommended you replicate each client for the first time in off hours when large numbers of fonts are being replicated by each client. If this is not possible then we suggest you stagger the replications to lessen the initial server load. Keep in mind this is a one time process and all future transactions are incremental (assuming you don’t ever dump the user’s font vault (UniversalType.typecache) file.

(font.license-compliance.enabled) – Font compliance notifications are used in the Professional and Enterprise Editions of UTS. If you are not concerned about tracking font compliance you can disable this option. If you rely on monitoring font usage you need to keep this option enabled. UTC 3.3 improves performance with this feature so if you have turned it off before you should be able to enable it with UTC 3.3.

If you still experience performance problems let us know. We are always eager to fix this type of issue but are not always informed by customers. Also, we do our best but do not actively monitor these forums on a regular basis.

Cheers,
Chris Meyer
Product Manager, Font Management Solutions
http://www.extensis.com/
phone: 503.290.7524
email: cmeyer@extensis.com