Just thought I would post this here to get some thoughts form the community on this, past experiences, etc.
Currently the main JSS (production and test eng) are in the UK. Mac engineering is moving to the US. At this particular site, there is no JSS / Distribution Point, no server at all. Nothing.
Casper Imaging, with the JSS and main DP in the UK is taking as expected hours upon hours to do one Mac. I am just not used to this. Have done Casper Imaging on a local JSS / DP (Mac Mini server) in 7 minutes. Done. OS X, apps, configs, AD binding.
So copied down the all the DMGs, PKGs, scripts, etc, locally using a local volume as a DP.
Still having some issues with the imaging process, with the Imaging Process screen coming up and just not finishing. Normally would just be easy to create a new Configuration, adjust a few things and streamline the process, until it all goes smooth.
But whenever I come up with new files, OS X image for example, I have to copy this (6 GB) image file back up with Casper Admin, and it takes a lot of time, and just seems not the way to go.
Since the Apple engineering / management is moving to the US, it makes sense to me to take a Mac Mini Server (10.9.1), install JSS 8 or 9, and then get a copy of the JSS database from the UK and copy / move it to the new server.
Not sure how this is handled in 8 or 9, how do the JSS's keep in sync? Is this what "Sites" address in Casper 9?
Imaging is taking 3 plus hours per machine and as I say just not the way its supposed to be. Also eventually this site is moving locations where presumably there will be access to a data center with a VM and NAS, where the JSS / DP can live permanently.
In the meantime we have to setup some interim infrastructure (Mac Mini Server, JSS, DP, Casper Imaging) to handle the imaging, etc., and is this the time to make the move to Casper 9 or stay with 8.
Thanks in advance,
j
