Geez...is it "JDS" or "NetSUS" or "NetBoot/SUS Server" or "QuixieBootie"...or...

[donmontalvo]

What's the proper term? I kind'a like QuixieBootie..but....

[Josh_S · Accepted solution]

JDS (JAMF Distribution Server). A web-enabled distribution point which offers automatic, cascading, replication of packages.

NetSUS. A NetBoot and Software Update Server open source project by JAMF to provide NetBoot and Software Update functionality to Mac OS clients.

The NetSUS appliance is a specific offering that provides NetBoot/SUS capability. All NetSUS Servers are NetBoot/SUS Servers (or have the ability to be if you turn on that functionality). However, not all NetBoot/SUS Servers are NetSUS Servers.

Thats the way I understand the terms at least. We definitely need to make QuixieBootie a real thing though. Maybe an internal code name for a version of the NetSUS?

Edit: Forgot to mention. I think the confusion with NetSUS and JDS arises because you can often have both a JDS and NetSUS installation on the same host. However, they are two separate things.

[erin_miska · Accepted solution]

Hey guys,

Here’s some nit-picky lingo clarification:

The official name of JAMF Software’s open-source tool for NetBoot and Software Update is “NetBoot/SUS Server”. It was once the “NetBoot/SUS Appliance”, but in the most recent version, you have the option to set it up as an appliance OR using an installer, so “appliance” isn’t quite accurate anymore.

“NetSUS” is more of a nickname that has been adopted by the community, but we hesitate to use it in an official capacity since it’s an improper use of Apple’s “NetBoot”.

Hopefully that helps! I know it’s kind of confusing…

-Erin

[mm2270 · Accepted solution]

Yeah, NetSUS is definitely something coined by all of us here, I think because it rolls off the tongue a little easier than NetBoot/SUS :)

Back when JAMF previewed the JDS at the 2012 JNUC I was originally under the impression JDS would replace NetBoot/SUS, but later when it became available it was made more clear that it was a product to help replace standalone Distribution Points on various server platforms. Which makes sense. Something designed specifically to work with the Casper Suite rather than a dumb AFP/SMB/HTTP share point. So its correct to state that you can definitely have/need both in a Casper Suite deployment… or neither, since neither is a requirement.
It would be interesting to see a merged product that can handle all of these functions, although I'm not certain it would actually be a good idea. Might be asking too much of a single product or server to handle all of those tasks at once. As well, its probably best not to put all your eggs in one basket.

[Josh_S · Accepted solution]

JDS (JAMF Distribution Server). A web-enabled distribution point which offers automatic, cascading, replication of packages.

NetSUS. A NetBoot and Software Update Server open source project by JAMF to provide NetBoot and Software Update functionality to Mac OS clients.

The NetSUS appliance is a specific offering that provides NetBoot/SUS capability. All NetSUS Servers are NetBoot/SUS Servers (or have the ability to be if you turn on that functionality). However, not all NetBoot/SUS Servers are NetSUS Servers.

Thats the way I understand the terms at least. We definitely need to make QuixieBootie a real thing though. Maybe an internal code name for a version of the NetSUS?

Edit: Forgot to mention. I think the confusion with NetSUS and JDS arises because you can often have both a JDS and NetSUS installation on the same host. However, they are two separate things.

[donmontalvo]

@Josh_S Ahhh...OK, so this would be QuixieBootie:

Edit: Forgot to mention. I think the confusion with NetSUS and JDS arises because you can often have both a JDS and NetSUS installation on the same host. However, they are two separate things.

[erin_miska · Accepted solution]

Hey guys,

Here’s some nit-picky lingo clarification:

The official name of JAMF Software’s open-source tool for NetBoot and Software Update is “NetBoot/SUS Server”. It was once the “NetBoot/SUS Appliance”, but in the most recent version, you have the option to set it up as an appliance OR using an installer, so “appliance” isn’t quite accurate anymore.

“NetSUS” is more of a nickname that has been adopted by the community, but we hesitate to use it in an official capacity since it’s an improper use of Apple’s “NetBoot”.

Hopefully that helps! I know it’s kind of confusing…

-Erin

[mm2270 · Accepted solution]

Yeah, NetSUS is definitely something coined by all of us here, I think because it rolls off the tongue a little easier than NetBoot/SUS :)

Back when JAMF previewed the JDS at the 2012 JNUC I was originally under the impression JDS would replace NetBoot/SUS, but later when it became available it was made more clear that it was a product to help replace standalone Distribution Points on various server platforms. Which makes sense. Something designed specifically to work with the Casper Suite rather than a dumb AFP/SMB/HTTP share point. So its correct to state that you can definitely have/need both in a Casper Suite deployment… or neither, since neither is a requirement.
It would be interesting to see a merged product that can handle all of these functions, although I'm not certain it would actually be a good idea. Might be asking too much of a single product or server to handle all of those tasks at once. As well, its probably best not to put all your eggs in one basket.

[donmontalvo]

@mm2270 Yes...QuixieBootie...with installer choices for NetBoot/SUS Server, JDS, etc.

It would be interesting to see a merged product that can handle all of these functions, although I'm not certain it would actually be a good idea. Might be asking too much of a single product or server to handle all of those tasks at once. As well, its probably best not to put all your eggs in one basket.

[bentoms · Accepted solution]

If we lumped them all together, we could call it "Mac Mini Sever" - :P

[Chris_Hafner]

I would say that it depends on the environment. A several hundred computers could be handled that way... Though your right. It's not a "smart" idea, but it's certainly doable. My first installation of the Casper suite ran this way for a little while letting me use my backup box for further testing. Later the duties got split but they stand ready to back each to back each other up in a "last option" emergency scenario.

[donmontalvo]

@bentoms MacMule! We're finally moving to 9.x and are exploring the new goodies provided by JAMF Software. I remember testing the appliance early on, nice to see they're providing installers. Where no NBAS is possible, VM infrastructure is usually not on the same subnet that we image Macs on.

Are you going to JNUC 2014?

If we lumped them all together, we could call it "Mac Mini Sever" - :P

[bentoms]

@donmontalvo, hope to be there. It's a budget thing.