MAC O/S Update question

[mrrobertbuss]

Updating MAC O/S using JAMF is hit or miss - mostly miss- even with the new "Software Updates" feature recently rolled out. I followed a JAMF Training video https://trainingcatalog.jamf.com/update-macos on the 3 ways I can push out updates. I'm using the first method of creating a Configuration Profile and enabling the Software Update payload. Should there be a specific URL (Software Update Server. Specify a URL of the form http://server.net:8088/index.sucatalog) as suggested? I'm thinking this profile won't work if there isn't an update server to check with? 

[stevewood · Accepted solution]

The Configuration Profile is for setting up the behavior of the Software Update functionality, specifically the settings in the Software Update settings pane, and not so much for "pushing" updates to devices.

Updating macOS is really done in one of two ways: MDM commands or via the Software Update settings pane. Yes, there are scripted methods using erase-install or S.U.P.E.R.M.A.N, but if we're talking native Jamf Pro it's just MDM commands or the Self Service method described in that training.

MDM commands on macOS 13 and below are spotty and do not always work. I believe all MDM vendors are having that problem as it is really out of the MDM vendors hands. macOS Sonoma and higher, however, now utilize Declarative Device Management, and those update commands are fairly consistent in being completed. So as long as your devices are running macOS Sonoma and you are running Jamf Pro 11.x or higher, when you use the new Software Update mechanism in Jamf Pro, those update commands are going out as DDM commands and should be pretty consistently completed.

[russell_garriso]

I wanted to piggyback here for a second set of eyes. I just noticed deprecated in the configuration profile UI. Is that just for the Software Update Server key, or all the other options too? Early investigation is that it is just the "CatalogURL" key. We don't use that feature, but the other ones are desirable still for our non-Sonoma fleet.

[TechTrekkie]

That deprecation is only for the Software Update Server (catalogURL) key. It was removed from macOS 11 and later: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/devicemanagement/softwareupdate#:~:text=CatalogURL,11%20an....