v4.1.0-beta1

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

v4.0.3

2023-12-14

Highlights

• New option to save the user's password for future automatic macOS updates and upgrades. Literally, "Save Password" but for automatic macOS updates and upgrades.
• New display customization options including unmovable dialogs and hide background mode courtesy of IBM Notifier 3.x.
• New macOS installer workflows are now handled by mist-cli integration, thus removing all python dependencies.
• New LaunchDaemon architecture significantly improves automatic launch and deferment reliability for all super workflows.
• New default "always on" behavior automatically checks for Apple software updates on a regular basis.
• Support for Jamf Pro 10.48+ (Beta) Managed Software Updates.
• Support for Jamf Pro 10.49+ API Roles and Clients.
• Please check out the updated super Wiki for more details!

Compatibility Notes

• super 4.x requires macOS 11 or newer (all code supporting macOS 10.x has been removed).
• All super 4.x code has been refactored for style, clarity, and uniformity. As such nearly every single option name has been changed.
• Most super 3.0 command line options and managed preferences are not compatible with super 4.x
• Previously saved super 3.0 Apple silicon authentication credentials are automatically migrated the first time super 4.x runs.
• It is safe to mix super version 3.0 and 4.x managed preferences (except for the DisplaySilently key) in a single configuration profile. However each version only recognizes the managed preference keys that are compatible for that version.
• Refer to this spreadsheet (tab separated values) for migrating super 3.0 command line options to version 4.x.
• Refer to this spreadsheet (tab separated values) for migrating super 3.0 managed preferences to version 4.x.
• Updated Jamf Pro Extension Attribute scripts now supports both super versions 3.0 and 4.x.
• Updated example MDM configuration profiles for super v4.x.
• super 4.0.3 SHA-256: 2c7411a4bfa84a63e20955d18d6c6ba19933b2cf35b04f91bbcac98c666e335c

Known Issues

• The Jamf Pro (Beta) Managed Software Updates workflow is not compatible with the --install-macos-major-version-target option. Until this issue is resolved you can revert your Jamf Pro service back to the current macOS software update workflow.

Please refer to the Change log for full details.

v3.0

• Support for both macOS updates and upgrades.
• Support for macOS Rapid Security Response updates.
• New dialog customization options including; new help and warning buttons, embedded text, embedded images, and even embedded video.
• New user self-servicing workflows with progressive status notifications.
• New Apple silicon user authenticated workflows feature all customizable dialogs (built-in software update interfaces can be entirely avoided).
• New required free storage space and battery charge level detections with customizable notifications.
• Significantly improved error detections automatically try failed workflows again later.
• Vastly improved logging to help you identify specific workflow issues.
• An array of new helper items in the Super-Friends folder to further improve your workflows.
• Even more features and options are documented in the S.U.P.E.R.M.A.N. Wiki.
• Detailed super version progress can be found in the Change Log.
• You can also join the conversation at the Mac Admins Foundation Slack in channel #super.
• super 3.0 SHA-256: ac297dd3f5496a20648e35b73313ccddd8843a75cc95c9dadb9d900a60b8edd8

v2.0

• Version 2.0 is the final release for super version 2. See the [CHANGELOG.md]
• The S.U.P.E.R.M.A.N. Wiki is finally helpful!
• Detailed help removed from within the super script, because...
• If there is a current GUI user the --help option now automatically opens the S.U.P.E.R.M.A.N. Wiki. If there is no current GUI user this option shows basic usage.
• Spellcheck! So. Many. Typos.

v1.1

• Version 1.1 is the final release for super version 1. See the CHANGELOG.md for full details.
• Stay tuned for super version 2 that will offer even more deferment options!