Mac OS X Server v10.6: Software Update Service may not use proxies defined by proxy auto-config (PAC) files

Products Affected

Mac OS X Server 10.6

Symptoms

In Mac OS X Server v10.6, the Software Update service may not be able to download the catalog or update files from Apple's public Software Update servers if your server is behind a HTTP proxy that is configured by a proxy auto-config (PAC) file. Messages such as this may appear in the Software Update Services's Synchronization log, in Server Admin:

server.example.com swupd_syncd[31893] <Info>: ========== Sync Started ==========
server.example.com swupd_syncd[31893] <Error>: Unable to retrieve catalog(s) from the Apple server
server.example.com swupd_syncd[31893] <Info>: Sync Complete
 

Resolution

First, update to Mac OS X Server v10.6.3 or later. For more information, see Mac OS X Server v10.6: Software Update Service may not reach Apple through proxy server

After installing the Mac OS X Server v10.6.3 Update or later, you will need to define your Web Proxy (HTTP) in the Network preferences instead of using the PAC file. In order to specify the Web Proxy (HTTP) settings and disable the Automatic Proxy Configuration, follow the steps below:

   1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
   2. From the View menu, choose Network.
   3. Select the primary network interface in the list of Network Interfaces.
   4. Click the Advanced... button in the Network Interface settings.
   5. Click the Proxies tab of the Advanced Interface settings.
   6. Select Web Proxy (HTTP) from the list of protocols.
   7. Enter the IP address and the port number of the Web Proxy service in the required fields.
   8. Enable the Web Proxy (HTTP) by checking the Web Proxy (HTTP) checkbox
   9. Disable the Automatic Proxy Configuration by unchecking the Automatic Proxy Configuration checkbox.
  10. Click OK.
  11. Click Apply.
  12. Ensure that the web is browsable through the Web Proxy (HTTP) settings by opening Safari and loading a website, such as www.apple.com.

Additional Information

Important: A separate issue related to using Web Proxy (HTTP) servers that require authentication is described in Mac OS X Server v10.4 or later: Requirements for Software Update Service.

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