Macjutsu/super v4.1.0-beta1

on GitHub

2023-5-15

[4.1.x] Highlights

• In addition to the features introduced in super 4.0...
• Completely rearchitected software update/upgrade discovery workflow significantly improves reliability, performance, and includes full support for native macOS software update/upgrade deferral restrictions.
• New MacAdmin's SOFA integration allows deadline date workflows to align with macOS release dates (as opposed to when super discovers a macOS release).
• Even more user interface customization options.
• More scheduling and user interface features coming soon...

Compatibility Notes (4.1.x)

• The same as super 4.0.x.

Known Issues (4.1.0-beta1)

• Still experiencing reliability issues when calling the Jamf Pro API (Beta) managed software updates feature. In the mean time, the classic Jamf API remains stable and local authentication is always the most reliable.

Specific Changes (4.1.0-beta1)

• New software update/upgrade status checking workflow leverages mdmclient as the primary source for availability information. This significantly improves reliability, performance, and allows for confirmed discovery of native macOS software update/upgrade deferrals.
• New software update/upgrade deferral parsing and reporting workflow ensures that native macOS deferral rules (when managed via macOS configuration profile) are always followed. Further, deferred items are reported in the super.log for reference.
• New system settings validation identifies and reports any automatic software update/upgrade settings that are considered insecure or could interfere with the super workflow.
• New --workflow-zero-date-release option leverages the public MacAdmin's SOFA macOS machine readable JSON feed to discover release dates for use in workflows with deadline day options. (Huge thanks to the MacAdmin's SOFA contributors and @nonpunctual for JSON parsing inspiration!)
• New --workflow-zero-date-sofa-custom-url=URL option to allows for a custom self-hosted MacAdmin's SOFA macOS machine readable JSON feed.
• New --display-hide-progress-bar option hides the animated progress bar (as opposed showing it) for notifications and alerts via the following types:
  • ALWAYS - Always hide the animated progress bar for all notifications and alerts.
  • SOFT - Hide the animated progress bar for all notifications and alerts during a soft deadline.
  • HARD - Hide the animated progress bar for all notifications and alerts during a hard deadline.
  • INSTALLNOW - Hide the animated progress bar for all notifications and alerts during the install now workflow.
  • POWER - Hide the animated progress bar for the power required alert dialog.
  • STORAGE - Hide the animated progress bar for the insufficient storage alert dialog.
• New "mdmclient-list.log" sub-process log contains the last mdmclient available software update/upgrade check and serves as the foundation for the new software update/upgrade status checking workflow.
• All previous references to "Apple software update" or "ASU" are been changed to the more accurate "macOS software update" or "MSU". For example, the "asu-list.log" is now named "msu-list.log".
• Updated super-starter LaunchDaemon script includes improved reliability and documentation. Additionally the super-starter script is now versioned along with super itself.
• Resolved issues determining last macOS startup time (because Apple broke the uptime command) which could cause super to unintentionally run after completing a macOS update/upgrade workflow. Now using the sysclt command to determine last startup time. (Thanks to @BigMacAdmin for inspiration!)
• Refactored several preference functions to leverage PlistBuddy as opposed to the defaults command. These changes not only improve performance, they are in-line with Apple guidance to avoid using defaults for data stored outside of standard preference domains. (Thanks to @PicoMitchell for inspiration!)
• On macOS 14.4 or later, the macOS software update processes are no longer restarted due to Apple-enforced security policies.
• All functions are now properly indented per shell style recommendations. (Thanks to @Honestpuck for the recommendation.)
• The "installer-list.log" is renamed to the more-specific "macos-installers-list.log".
• Countless typo fixes and improvements to both regular and verbose log output.
• Updated example MDM configuration profiles for super v4.1.0-beta1.
• Updated Jamf Pro External Application Custom Schema for super v4.1.0-beta1. (Huge thanks to @tonyyo11 for taking this on!)
• super 4.1.0-beta1 SHA-256: 6ccac94d886680d02d7ee19bf5ca6f9f0b045e4e1aae8e0f9ab69581847d9150