How to redirect a Macintosh client to a local Software Update Server

Products

• IT Management Suite

Issue/Introduction

 

Resolution

Question
How to redirect a Macintosh client to a local Software Update Server.

Answer
 

Updating preference settings to allow a client to use a local Software Update Server

 

There are three options, depending on which user(s) and which tool (GUI or command line utility) that should be affected. Note that the port specification is required only if your update server uses a port other than the default port(s).

 

1.      To update the preference setting for the local user (who is running the command). This method only affects the GUI Software Update tool.
 
       defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL  "http://update.example.com:8088/"
 

2.      To update the preference setting for all users on a system. This method only affects the GUI Software Update tool.
 
      defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL "http://update.exeample.com:8088/"

3.      To update the preference setting for the root user. This method affects the command line 'softwareupdate' utility.
 
      sudo defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL "http://update.example.com:8088/"
 
 

Removing the preference settings and allow the client computer to revert to Apple for software updates 

 

By removing the preference setting that points to an internal server, clients can be directed back to Apple, rather than the local Software Update Server.

 

Prior to doing the delete, shown below, it is recommend that an appropriate ‘defaults read’ be performed to validate the information to be deleted.

 

1.      For the local user:

  
      defaults delete com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL
 

2.      System-wide:
 
      defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL

3.      for root:
 
      sudo defaults delete com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL

 

 

Another option to Remove the preference settings

It is possible to simply delete the pref files from both the user’s home folders and the root home folder.

 

1.      To kill the root account

      rm /Library/Preferences/com.apple./SoftwareUpdate.plist

2.      To kill any other account

      rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple./SoftwareUpdate.plist