Unable to deploy installer packages with spaces in the name using Casper 9.7 and HTTPS repo

[rtrouton]

I installed Casper 9.7 on a test server with an HTTPS file repo tonight and tested installing various installer packages via Self Service.

Most of the installations worked, but I had several failures. In testing, I was able to narrow it down to packages that had spaces in their names. When I renamed the packages to use underscores in place of spaces, the installations of the previous failing packages began working.

Here's the logs from a failed and successful install:

Executing Policy Adobe Flash...
[STEP 1 of 1]
Downloading Install Latest Adobe Flash Player.pkg...
This package is a PKG or an MPKG, and the index.bom file is not found. Attempting to open the package as a flat package...
Downloading https://casper.server.here/casper/Packages/Install Latest Adobe Flash Player.pkg...
Error: Could not connect to the HTTP server to download Install Latest Adobe Flash Player.pkg

Executing Policy Adobe Flash...
[STEP 1 of 1]
Downloading Install_Latest_Adobe_Flash_Player.pkg...
This package is a PKG or an MPKG, and the index.bom file is not found. Attempting to open the package as a flat package...
Downloading https://casper.server.here/casper/Packages/Install_Latest_Adobe_Flash_Player.pkg...
Verifying package integrity...
Installing Install_Latest_Adobe_Flash_Player.pkg...
Successfully installed Install_Latest_Adobe_Flash_Player.pkg.

Executing Policy Oracle Java 8...
[STEP 1 of 2]
Downloading Install Latest Oracle Java 8.pkg...
This package is a PKG or an MPKG, and the index.bom file is not found. Attempting to open the package as a flat package...
Downloading https://casper.server.here/casper/Packages/Install Latest Oracle Java 8.pkg...
Error: Could not connect to the HTTP server to download Install Latest Oracle Java 8.pkg
Inventory will be updated when all queued actions in Self Service are complete.

Executing Policy Oracle Java 8...
[STEP 1 of 2]
Downloading Install_Latest_Oracle_Java_8.pkg...
This package is a PKG or an MPKG, and the index.bom file is not found. Attempting to open the package as a flat package...
Downloading https://casper.server.here/casper/Packages/Install_Latest_Oracle_Java_8.pkg...
Verifying package integrity...
Installing Install_Latest_Oracle_Java_8.pkg...
Successfully installed Install_Latest_Oracle_Java_8.pkg.
Inventory will be updated when all queued actions in Self Service are complete.

The packages in question are also available from here:

https://github.com/rtrouton/rtrouton_scripts/tree/master/rtrouton_scripts/install_latest_adobe_flash...

https://github.com/rtrouton/rtrouton_scripts/tree/master/rtrouton_scripts/install_latest_oracle_java...

[chriscollins]

Seeing the same thing here.

[RobertHammen]

Sounds like waiting for the proverbial 9.71 might be a good idea.

[anfalas]

Same problem here. Damnit! ;-)

[rtrouton]

I tested with HTTP on a different test server as well, just to make sure. Same issue appeared with HTTP on the second test server.

Executing Policy Adobe Flash...
[STEP 1 of 2]
Downloading Install Latest Adobe Flash Player.pkg...
This package is a PKG or an MPKG, and the index.bom file is not found. Attempting to open the package as a flat package...
Downloading http://testcasper.server.here/casper/Packages/Install Latest Adobe Flash Player.pkg...
Error: Could not connect to the HTTP server to download Install Latest Adobe Flash Player.pkg
[STEP 2 of 2]
Running script browser_plugin_installation_finished.sh...
Script exit code: 0
Script result:

[were_wulff]

Hey all,

We are aware of this particular issue, and have it filed under D-008880.

The two workarounds are to either remove spaces from the file name or to use AFP/SMB instead.

Please be aware that this only affects 9.7 previous versions of the JSS should not be seeing this issue. If you’re seeing this issue on a JSS previous to 9.7 it likely has a different underlying cause and it would be best to get in touch with your Technical Account Manager to troubleshoot further.

If you have not already opened up a case with your Technical Account Manager, and would like to for further troubleshooting or to have your case attached to D-008880, please get in touch with them either by giving them a call, sending an e-mail to support@jamfsoftware.com, or by using the My Support section of JAMF Nation.

Thanks!
Amanda Wulff
JAMF Software Support

[davidhiggs]

i'm also seeing package path errors on packages that worked fine previous to 9.7.

Installation failed. The installer reported: installer: Error the package path specified was invalid: '/Library/Application Support/JAMF/Downloads/'.

Example package filename: Microsoft.System.Center.2012.Endpoint.Protection_4.5.21.0_Install.pkg

If i rename this package to SCEP_4.5.21.0_Install.pkg, the package will install fine. Rename it back and i get the same error as above

[dmw3]

I have found from OS 10.0 as it is basically a unix system if you include a space or another switch in the name it will cause issues.

So stay with file names with no spaces (instead use under-scores or hyphens ) or extra periods and definitely no characters apart from alpha numeric. this goes for standard files as well as packages and scripts. This goes really for all file systems in use today.

Having these rules in place you should have no problems with the way file names are interpreted. I have been using these rules since early 1980's with out naming issues.

[tthurman]

Is anyone experiencing issues with Scripts?

After upgrading to 9.7 on Friday, it looks like our scripts are doing something out the ordinary.

Actions from policy log: Creating directory structure for /Library/Application Support/JAMF/Downloads/ Downloading http://SHAREHERE/CasperShare/Scripts/DisableFDEAutoLogin.sh/DisableFDEAutoLogin.sh... Error running script: The script could not be found on the server.. Retrying using distribution point MASTERSHARE... Creating directory structure for /Library/Application Support/JAMF/Downloads/ Downloading http://MASTERSHARE/CasperShare/Scripts/DisableFDEAutoLogin.sh/DisableFDEAutoLogin.sh... Error running script: The script could not be found on the server..

It looks like it's Adding an extra filename on the end. Anyone else having this trouble?
/DisableFDEAutoLogin.sh/DisableFDEAutoLogin.sh

We're not sure why this is happening.

[were_wulff]

@tthurman

This is a known issue with 9.7; we have it filed under D-008907.
There is a longer thread on the issue here, if you'd like a little more detail. Currently, the main workaround is to migrate your packages and scripts, however I'd encourage you to read this KB before doing so, as migrating packages and scripts does change the way a few things work.

If you don't already have a case open with your Technical Account Manager, and would like to get one open to do any further troubleshooting or to get your case attached to D-008907 for our tracking, please get in touch with them by either giving Support a call, sending an e-mail to support@jamfsoftware.com (it will route directly to their case queue; in the event that your TAM is out of the office or unavailable, others watching their queue will be able to assist), or by using the My Support section of JAMF Nation.

Thanks!
Amanda Wulff
JAMF Software Support

[Tigerhaven]

hi guys is this problem with cloud version of Casper suite 9.7 to.

[pbenton]

Looks like 9.71 still hasn't fixed this. Has anyone else tested yet?

still getting "Error: Could not connect to the HTTP server to download PACKAGE WITH SPACES.pkg"

[Simmo]

9.71 is meant to have fixed this, maybe a bit hasty to release their fix if it's not fully functional?

D-008880 Fixed an issue that prevented a package from being downloaded if its name contains a
space or a special character and the package is hosted on an HTTP distribution point.

[rtrouton]

I re-ran my original test this evening:

Install Latest Adobe Flash Player.pkg = failed installation
Install_Latest_Adobe_Flash_Player.pkg = successful installation.

D-008880 does not appear to be fixed.

[Graystar]

Upgraded to 9.71 and still seeing the this Error.. D-008880 still an issue.

[rquigley]

We upgraded to 9.71 as well and the error is still persisting, it seems everything else was fixed except for D-008880 which was the only reason we upgraded!

[nessts]

Maybe the Apple Kool-aid that's being drunk by JAMF and Apple is just affecting quality all around? I still cannot use the 10key on the keyboard in vi and that is a bug I reported in seed 1 of 10.10, 10.10.3 supplemental 2 days after the release, 9.64 Casper that disappeared it was so bad, it seems quality is an Apple eco-system issue these days. I wonder who is winning besides a couple of bank accounts.

Now, from a UNIX admin perspective why would you be putting spaces in the names of files :D Oh wait most of you are Apple admins and that answers that, after all the OS has spaces in directory names. I will still never understand that thought process.

[Retrac]

Ugh same here.... rolling back, again!

JSS 9.7 and 9.71
Downloading http://sharename/share/Packages/Adobe Flash Player 16.0.0.305.pkg... Error: Could not connect to the HTTP server to download Adobe Flash Player 16.0.0.305.pkg

JSS 9.63
Downloading http://sharename/share/Packages/Adobe%20Flash%20Player%2017.0.0.169.pkg...
Verifying package integrity...
Installing Adobe Flash Player 17.0.0.169...
Successfully installed Adobe Flash Player 17.0.0.169

[aamjohns]

I upgraded to 9.71 because I too was having the issue with HTTP distribution point and packages with spaces in the file name. After upgrading to 9.71 I have the same problem.

[mpermann]

I wonder if @amanda.wulff could comment on defect D-008880 as it relates to version 9.71? We've been waiting to upgrade until the defect has been resolved. The release notes indicate the bug was fixed but there are plenty of people that say different.

[gregleeper]

Definitely not fixed in this release.

[jake]

We are aware of the reports regarding packages with spaces still being broken in 9.71. We are investigating and will have more details shortly.

Thank you.

[jake]

Hi Everyone -

We just posted 9.72 to address the issues with packages with spaces in the name. Thank you for your patience.

[rtrouton]

Tested 9.72 this evening and it looks OK! I successfully installed the package with spaces that I've used in my previous testing.

Executing Policy Adobe Flash...
[STEP 1 of 1]
Downloading Install Latest Adobe Flash Player.pkg...
Downloading https://casper.server.here/casper/Packages/Install%20Latest%20Adobe%20Flash%20Player.pkg...
Verifying package integrity...
Installing Install Latest Adobe Flash Player.pkg...
Successfully installed Install Latest Adobe Flash Player.pkg.

[pbenton]

Tested and it's working again! Thanks for the quick turnaround.

[anfalas]

Can confirm, 9.72 fixes the bug

[Retrac]

9.72 is working for us too :)