BookMac
Contributor II

The Jamf 400 course is the highest certification level in the Jamf training program and is designed for administrators who want to deepen their knowledge in scripting and automation. This course not only requires a thorough understanding of Jamf Pro and macOS but also the ability to independently analyze and solve complex problems. 

 

What to Expect in the Jamf 400 Course? 

The Jamf 400 course covers advanced topics and practical challenges. Key focuses of the course include Automation and Scripting 

  • Developing and implementing advanced Bash scripts and API calls to automate administrative tasks. 

Prerequisites and Target Audience 

To successfully complete the Jamf 400 course, intermediate to advanced scripting skills as well as familiarity with the Jamf API are required. The course focuses on deepening these topics and applying them in complex scenarios. 

The course is designed for Experienced Jamf administrators who are already familiar with the features and configurations of Jamf Pro and want to use automation and scripting for macOS environments. 

For more information visit the official course page. 

BookMac_1-1740684042619.png

Required Knowledge: Basic and Intermediate Skills 

If the basics are not fully solidified, it is recommended to go through the following resources beforehand: 

  1. Apple Admin Scripting for Beginners 

The Apple Admin Scripting for Beginners Guide is ideal for refreshing basic scripting knowledge. It covers the fundamentals of Bash scripts, variables, and control structures. 

  1. Bash Scripting Foundations 

For those who want to establish a solid foundation in Bash scripting, the Bash Scripting Foundations course from Jamf is recommended. 

  1. Bash Scripting Automation and API 

Automation with Bash and the Jamf API is a key focus of the Jamf 400 course. The Bash Scripting Automation and API course provides a solid introduction and practical examples of API calls using curl and automating recurring tasks. 

BookMac_2-1740684042619.png

Advanced Topics: Preparing for the Jamf 400 

Once the basics are well-mastered, it’s time to dive into advanced topics: 

  1. Prepare for the Jamf 400 Course 

The official Prepare for the Jamf 400 Course provides valuable insights into the course structure and content. It presents typical scenarios and challenges that must be addressed in the Jamf 400 course. 

  1. Multiple Ways to Build 

For a deeper understanding of the Jamf API and automation possibilities, it's worth exploring the Jamf Developer Dokumentation. It offers extensive information on API usage and best practices for automation. 

BookMac_3-1740684042619.png

 

Helpful External Resources 

In addition to the official Jamf training materials, the following external resources can be helpful for preparation: 

  1. MacOS Unix Command Cheat Sheet 

A solid understanding of Unix commands is essential, as many challenges in the Jamf 400 course are solved on the command line. The MacOS Unix Command Cheat Sheet provides a compact overview of the most important commands. 

  1. Bash Scripting Cheatsheet 

The Bash Scripting Cheatsheet is extremely helpful for quickly refreshing Bash syntax and commands. It provides a concise summary of all relevant commands and functions. 

BookMac_5-1740684042620.png

Using a Sandbox Environment 

Important Tip: Never practice in the production environment! Request a sandbox environment from your Jamf Customer Success Manager. This separate instance allows you to safely test new scripts, API calls, and automations without risking impacts on productive devices or settings.

BookMac_6-1740684042620.png

Conclusion 

Preparing for the Jamf 400 course requires time and dedication. However, with the right resources, a solid foundation in Bash and API knowledge, and regular testing in a sandbox environment, you are well-equipped to successfully master the challenges of the course. 

Stay persistent, practice regularly, and don’t hesitate to seek advice in the Jamf Nation Community or the Mac Admins Slack. 

Do you have any questions or would you like to share your preparation experiences? Feel free to leave a comment! 

5 Comments
sdagley
Esteemed Contributor II

This is a very good writeup on preparing for the Jamf 400, and "analyze and solve complex problems" is a very apt description of the training. One bit of advice I'd give people taking the 400 for the first time is that solutions to complex problems will have non-complex components (e.g. Smart Groups, Policies) and those can often be created/templated while you're still thinking about the complex part of the solution rather than waiting until the end of the exercise.

Jordy-Thery
Contributor II

Great write up! The 400 is a fun one. It's certainly more difficult than the others. However I do want to emphasize that you shouldn't stress. The instructors are great and will ensure you have everything you need to ace the exam. As with the other certifications you can use your course materials and preparations. Try to enjoy it. :-)

tommypatzius
Contributor

I thought I knew what I was getting into before taking the 400, but quickly realized how intense the training was! This is a great article. Thanks for including some helpful resources and refreshers. Sometimes I forget all that was covered in the 300 & 400. It's nice to revisit these topics and revitalize the necessary skillsets.

matthewstraub
New Contributor II

Great overview, I’m prepping to take my 400 later this month, will keep the resources referenced here handy. Thanks!

Tim_Apple
New Contributor III

Great work!

Contributors
About the Author
Matt Straub is a New York City-based IT Technician & Audio Engineer with a passion for entrepreneurship, creativity, and problem solving. He strives to create seamless experiences for users by bringing creative solutions to any project he works on as a Senior Mac Engineer at MTS Pro Services. Matt graduated from Marymount Manhattan College where he created his own Interdisciplinary Studies major concentrating in Critical Sound Design. This allowed him to customize his B.A. to learn as much about audio and music as possible, while still maintaining a strong liberal arts foundation. The culmination of his studies at Marymount was an immersive audio installation project called remember. Remember presents an abstract simulation of dementia using audio to immerse the participants into a forgetful world. Originally from a small town in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Matthew loves learning more about his hometown and his family history. He is currently digitizing all of his family’s recorded video, audio, and photographs for safe preservation so that future generations can experience his family history in an easily accessible manner.