Background and Benefits
Evolution of the Uni Mac desktop and benefits of the latest version.
Over several years, the University's supported Mac desktop reached a point in its evolution of using the homegrown Linux Configuration (LCFG) whereby a change was required to make it more lightweight, easy-to-maintain, secure, compliant with Uni regulations and be able to provide more extensive services for desktop-based Macs and MacBooks.
The decision was taken to create a new supported Mac desktop based on the cloud platform JAMF Pro (formerly Casper Suite).
The following table lays out the reasons for the decision to change the supported desktop to its cloud-based format:
| JAMF Pro-based Mac desktop (post-summer 2017) | Former LCFG Mac desktop (pre-summer 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Cloud-based industry standard tool updated by JAMF. | Uni-based, time-consuming to maintain and keep current with Apple OS. |
| Deployment | Quick and easy to enrol and available via https:// off-site. | Awkward to deploy, required remote support. |
| Software | Provided via Self Service portal and content managed centrally. | No option for users to install software. Required central installation. |
| Printers | Provided via Self Service portal and customisable by user. | Centrally-managed and awkward to customise by user. |
| Updates | Received with little to no interaction on user's part. | User needing to agree to updates and remember to do so. |
| MacBooks | User-enrollable, easy connection off-site, full disk encryption. | Difficult to deploy and update when off-site, no disk encryption. |
| Data Backups | Offers multiple choice of backup method the user controls. | HomeSync backup method no longer available on OS 10.12 and later. |
| Compatibility | Details of supported operating systems | Not available for OS 10.12 and later. |
| Uni policy | Fully complies with University computing regulations. | Unable to comply fully with University computing regulations. |