pkg way to set com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL

[pteeter]

So I’ve tried doing this with logGen, pkgGen, and the PackageMaker. I’ve tried doing it with Composer too.

Basically, all that gets done is /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist gets updated.

From what I’m seeing none of the PKG methods works.

It’s a simple defaults command for sure. Anyone have a suggestion for best practice on this?

Let me know.

PJT

[Patrick Gallagher]

Is replacing that file not working? That’s the file that contains the setting. You can also set it in /var/root/Library/Preferences which is used by root when sending the command over ARD. Alternatively, you can create a startupitem to run a script which contains the defaults command.

[pteeter]

Results have been inconsistent.

I’m going to wipe the test box and try once more.

But, the package I’m creating writes the file for sure.

It’s just the first time softwareupdate is run, it looks to Apple not local.

I gotta do a bit more testing.

[pteeter]

Josh’s solution occurred to me later yesterday too.

MCX is just more powerful.

Would your preference be to set it via a user group or computer group?

I vote computer group but am curious to discuss the pros and cons of either.

[pteeter]

For some reason I’m revisiting this issue.

To control /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL (software update server for every user on the machine) must the managed preference be configured for a machine account?

Or can this be applied, through OD, via a user/group login managed preference?

[eholtam]

It looks like, according to Workgroup Manager, the Software Update policy can be applied to any level (User, Computer and Group).
The User setting would override the Computer setting would override the Group setting.

-Eric

[QUOTE][u]Quote by: pteeter[/u][p]For some reason I’m revisiting this issue.

To control /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL (software update server for every user on the machine) must the managed preference be configured for a machine account?

Or can this be applied, through OD, via a user/group login managed preference?

[/p][/QUOTE]

[Patrick Gallagher]

One problem however if you’re an ARD user. In my testing, the MCX policy will not apply to the root user who is presumably who you would send the softwareupdate command as over ARD. For that, you would need to defaults write /var/root/Library/Prefs/com.apple.softwareupdate CatalogURL http://blah/blah.

[pteeter]

You know, b/c of the heirarchy of overrides…I’m writing a self cleaning launch daemon to configure this on first boot.

Then I can use the same script to fix the preference if it breaks…and re-deploy the pkg installer if the server hostname/port changes.

[Author]

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