Question

What do you use to know when there are updates available?

Forum|Forum|10 years ago
July 10, 2015
4 replies
23 views

+7

jstine
Contributor

I've been tasked with keeping all of our OSX applications up to date with the latests releases of apps like Chrome, Firefox, Adobe programs, chat clients, etc.

To my knowledge, JAMF does not provide any type of list or update notifications. I found this https://ninite.com/news for Windows updates, but have not been able to locate any solutions for OSX.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

+15

acodega
Valued Contributor
Forum|Forum|10 years ago
July 10, 2015

AutoPkg is similar to Ninite. It's best to use AutoPkgr to easily integrate AutoPkg with your JSS, as well as giving you a GUI if you prefer.

The AutoPkgr link has a great guide as well as the video of the talk given at last year's JNUC announcing AutoPkgr.

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+24

mm2270
Legendary Contributor
Forum|Forum|10 years ago
July 10, 2015

Most folks will suggest using AutoPkg and/or AutoPkgr running on a separate box, possibly paired up with a Jenkins server to automate the checking process. AutoPkg checks by themselves are not automated. They need to be invoked to go check for an updated version of software, but when its coupled with Jenkins, it can be more automated. Or, look at AutoPkgr, which also does this in a more automated way.

OTOH, there are certainly some scripted methods that can accomplish something similar. I have a script I created that can do on the fly version checking on a client and compare it to the latest release of a product and download the update and install it directly from the vendor if needed. I haven't published the newer version of my script yet because I still need to get around to working out a few kinks. But it can check against around 14 different apps/plug-ins for updates in one shot and download/install any that are needed.