Filter
Top Products
25
Technology Overview
Mac OS X Server
Managing client updates
In an uncontrolled environment, users may connect to Apple’s software update servers
at any time and update their computers with whatever software they want, even if
it has not been approved by the IT group or system administrator. When you deploy
local software update servers, users are restricted to downloading only approved
software updates.
For example, IT administrators may not want to deploy every update on its day of
publication. They may instead wish to go through a testing and evaluation phase
before deploying the new software to users. By creating local update servers, you
can control when and whether users get the new updates.
Using Workgroup Manager, you can assign various users, groups, and computers to
speci c local software update servers. You can also control which software update
packages users can access by enabling and disabling individual packages at the
local server.
Controlling costs
A local software update server caches software updates from Apple’s software update
servers, then shares them with local network clients. By eliminating the multiple
Internet downloads required when each Mac OS X user individually accesses Apple’s
servers, the local server reduces the bandwidth demands on your Internet gateway—
and therefore, your organization’s costs for external network access. Having control
over client updates also helps IT sta! manage the support costs associated with help
desk requests—the largest cost of ownership for personal computers.
NetBoot and NetInstall
Included in Mac OS X Server are two powerful applications for standardizing and
upgrading client systems. The NetBoot service allows multiple Mac clients to start
up from a single server-based disk image. NetInstall enables automated software
installation from a master image. The new System Image Utility streamlines system
deployment and reduces administration costs by providing a convenient single
interface for both NetBoot and NetInstall functions.
5
NetBoot
The NetBoot service makes managing a group of computers as easy as managing a
single Mac. Client systems can boot from a server-based disk image, which enables the
same operating system and applications to be deployed across an entire workgroup.
NetBoot can even be used to create server con gurations and run multiple servers
from one image. Updating the disk image on the server updates all of these systems
automatically the next time they are restarted. NetBoot is also a powerful tool for
deploying new systems, repurposing desktop or server systems, and deploying
network-based diagnostics and repair utilities.
Use NetBoot to:
• Con gure multiple desktop computers with
the same operating system and applications
• Replicate server con gurations for compute
farms and data centers
• Deploy new systems and restore compro-
mised systems instantly