rob53

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rob53
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  • Some macOS Server services being stripped out in spring, including Calendar, Websites, Mai...

    rob53rob53
    This doesn't surprise me especially since Apple is pushing for more use of iCloud services making the deprecated server services redundant. This is especially true in educational and government installations.

    On the brighter side, putting (more?) resources into creating a better low-cost MDM service might be the hidden gem in this announcement. Server software is $20 without any client license fees making it a huge bargain compared to MDM systems like jamf and Blackberry's offering. Grab a Mac mini and it might be enough to manage a large number of Apple devices. Of course, having MDM on your main server that does everything else would be preferable but in this case it might be more cost effective to run it on a small, dedicated server.

    Anyone want to compare Apple Server's MDM to jamf and others?


    bikertwinoneof52willcropointdoozydozenjony0

  • Jamf now manages more than 9M Apple devices

    rob53rob53
    How do these prices compare to Microsoft client licenses? Are these client license worth the reduction in IT staff salaries? 

    $3.33 per/month per iOS or tvOS device*
    $6.67 per/month per Mac*
    Education and volume discounts available.

    *Price per month based on pre-paid subscription, billed annually. 50-seat minimum for commercial; 100-seat minimum for education.
    https://www.jamf.com/pricing/

    It appears Jamf makes their server software available to run on almost anything, as long as you're willing to install and maintain Java:

    The Jamf Software Server (JSS) is the server component for the Casper Suite. The JSS is required for macOS and iOS management, and can be installed on any platform running Java 1.7 or 1.8, Apache Tomcat 7 or 8, and MySQL 5.5.x or 5.6.x.

    The JSS is easy to install and maintain on a variety of 64-bit server platforms including Mac OS X Server 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.10, 10.11 or 10.12; Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Server, Ubuntu 14.04 LTS Server; Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6.4, 6.5, 6.6 or 7.0; and Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server 2012 R2. The Casper Suite includes an installer utility that allows you to easily install the JSS on these platforms.

    jony0

  • Apple's WebKit team helps launch Speedometer 2.0 browser benchmark

    rob53rob53
    I'd like to see Apple release a Safari-specific website diagnostic tool (I know I can show the Web Inspector) we could run on websites to see why they stall or just don't load. For those of you who try and access BECU.org, I regularly have to cancel then reload the site to get through. Of course, using Windows works fine so I assume it's a javascript issue. Reading the HTML coding doesn't necessarily help me find why it stops loading and just sits there until I reload. Safari too impatient waiting for the site to load?
    Solibrian green

  • Apple carries first-ever in-store, third-party Wi-Fi router in form of Linksys Velop

    rob53rob53
    petieg said:
    kharvel said:
    rob53 said:

    rob53 said:
    [...] Of course my biggest issue with all of these routers is their cost. 
    My initial reaction was sticker shock, but then I realized I paid more than that to have multiple Airports, and they don't provide mesh coverage.

    Would even a decent router and extenders by much less expensive that what this costs?
    I have two Airports configured to provide the same type of coverage mesh systems provide. Apple makes it real easy to configure the second device and it uses the same SSID so what's the difference between this configuration and a mesh system? I hardwired the second Airport to the first via ethernet so I wouldn't lose any speed. Apple sells the Extreme for $199, Amazon has refurbished for $169. The Veloc info says there are no unsightly connecting cables, but you still have the power cord and the main ethernet cable from your cable/DSL modem so there are cables involved. The Veloc has two ethernet ports so they can be connected the same way I connected my Airports.

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202056 I used the roaming  configuration. Using Airport Utility, go under Wireless, then drop down menu to Extend Wireless Network. The Utility handles all the configuration settings and you're off and running. I haven't tried using a third Airport but I see no reason why this wouldn't work.


    I am very interested in hearing other people's opinions on this set-up.  I'm thinking of getting another Airport Extreme and setting up a mesh network in the same fashion as rob53.  Does anyone know if this set-up would be just as good as a Netgear Orbi or Ubiquiti Amplifi mesh network?  
    It's not mesh... If you add more routers, it loses capable bandwidth. (OK, you have them hardwired together which is better, but is not the most typical type of setup.)  These other products have dedicated wireless backbone comms between themselves, not effecting your usable wireless bandwidth. IMHO
    I never said it was a mesh network, I simply said it acts similarly in that the same SSID can be used over a greater range. I set up my first extended network years ago but noticed the halving of speed. Therefore, later on I used the hardwired connection and tests show I had my full strength signal throughout my house. Wireless connections are always subject to reception issues, especially when the signal has to go through metal, water, and brick or when competing for WiFi channels. 5GHz also has shorter range than 2.4GHz, which suffers from a lower maximum speed. Hardwiring the devices together will always give a stronger signal, just like hardwiring computers using ethernet cables. 

    For the majority of home users, it doesn't really matter which way you go as long as you can set things up easily and have it consistently work.
    kharvelwatto_cobra

  • Apple carries first-ever in-store, third-party Wi-Fi router in form of Linksys Velop

    rob53rob53
    I checked out the Linksys iOS app and it looks very similar to all the controls the Comcast xFi shows on commercials. It demonstrates how families can see how the shutdown of Net Neutrality is going to affect them. Parental controls to shut down the kids phones at dinner and prioritizing devices. What I don't like is the requirement(?) to create a Linksys user account in order to manage it. To me this sounds like all activity might be going through Linksys and there's never a reason for that to happen. I don't believe Airport base stations have ever had this requirement and if they did it was simply your Apple ID, which already goes to the company I/we trust the most. 

    "User account (created in the app or at http://www.LinksysSmartWiFi.com) connected to your Linksys product."

    Of course my biggest issue with all of these routers is their cost. 
    applesnorangesbshankwatto_cobrasandor