Mac OS X Server v10.6: Using the Software Update service with multiple Mac OS X client versions

Mac OS X clients running versions 10.4, 10.5,10.6 or OS X Lion can all use the same URL to connect to a Software Update Server running Mac OS X Server v10.6.7 or later. Before following the steps in this article, you must do the following:

• Update your Software Update Server to Mac OS X Server v10.6.7 or later.
• Stop and start the Software Update service using Server Admin.
• See additional instructions for hosting Lion updates in Hosting Lion Updates on Snow Leopard Server

Managed Client X

To manage access to Software Update servers:

1. In Workgroup Manager, click Preferences.
2. Make sure the correct directory is selected and you are authenticated. To switch directories, click the globe icon. If you are not authenticated, click the lock and enter the name and password of a directory administrator.
3. Select a computer group.
4. Click Software Update.
5. Set the management setting to Always.
6. Specify a URL such as this (substituting your Software Update Server's fully qualified host name for su.domain_name.com):
   
   http://su.domain_name.com:8088/index.sucatalog


7. Click Apply Now.

Unmanaged Clients

To point unmanaged clients (clients not being managed with MCX) to a Software Update server:

1. On the unmanaged client, open Terminal.
2. Enter the following command (substituting your Software Update Server's fully qualified host name for su.domain_name.com):
   

   defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL http://su.domain_name.com:8088/index.sucatalog

You can verify your change using the following command:

    defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL

To point the unmanaged client computer back to the Apple Software Update server, use the following command:

    defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL