Manual Package Creation for Mac

The fundamental step in software deployment is package creation. To install software on your network, you will require an installer package, which can be purchased from the vendor in the case of commercial software or downloaded from the vendor's website in the case of non-commercial software. Endpoint Central supports the following Mac executables: .pkg, .app, .dmg,.

HTTP Software Repository

The created software packages are stored in a centralized location, which is the Software Repository.The Mac packages are stored in the HTTP Repository. The HTTP Repository is configured by default after the Central Server installation.

Kindly note that the Network Share repository is not applicable for macOS computers.

To learn more about Software Repositories, refer to this link.

Creating Mac Manual Software Package

Follow the steps below to create a Mac manual package:

1. In the Endpoint Central console, navigate to the Software Deployment tab > Package Creation > Packages > Add Package > Mac.
2. Give an appropriate name for your package in the Package Name field.
3. Select the License Type as Commercial or Non-commercial based on the software.

For Installation:
If the software is in a single file format, upload the installer file in .pkg, .dmg, or .app file format using the Browse option.
1. If the software has multiple files present in different directories, zip all the necessary files and upload the file in .zip format. During the deployment, the zipped folder will be unzipped, and the software will be deployed to the target Mac computers.

   Kindly note that it is not required to provide any script to unzip the zipped file uploaded for deployment.

2. Based on your requirement, if you want to customize your installation or change the default installation location, specify the commands in the Installation Command field under Advanced Option.

   Example: If your installation requires a dependency script, then upload the script along with the installer package and provide the commands for the scripts under Installation Command like the command mentioned below:

   "sh <scriptfilename>.sh"

    

   Note: Scripts can be uploaded in .sh (shell), .py (Python), .pl (Perl), .scpt (AppleScript) formats.

For Uninstallation:
1. Provide the uninstallation path with the name of the software application and its file format to remove the software from the target Mac computer using the command format:

"/uninstallationpath/softwarename.app"

Example path: /Applications/Google Chrome.app

2. If there are more than one file that needs to be removed, click +Add Dependent Files/Folders to add the file path or the folder's path.
3. If the uninstallation requires customization, like removing multiple files using a script, upload the script in the Upload Script for Uninstallation field and provide the command for the script in the Uninstallation Command field.
• Under Package Properties, provide the below properties fields based on your requirement for both the Installation and Uninstallation package:
  1. Vendor
  2. Version
  3. Language
  4. Package Description
• Click Add Package to create your Mac manual software package.

Modifying the Package

The created packages can be modified based on your requirement. Follow the below steps to modify the package:

• In the Endpoint Central console, navigate to the Software Deployment tab > Package Creation > Packages.
• Select the software package you wish to modify.
• In the Actions column select the three dots icon and select the Modify option to proceed with your modifications.

Saving the Package As

The created packages can be saved as a new package in case of package duplication requirement. Follow the below steps to duplicate the package:

• In the Endpoint Central console, navigate to the Software Deployment tab > Package Creation > Packages.
• Select the software package you want to duplicate.
• In the Actions column select the three dots icon and select the Save package as option and perform the required changes and save the package.

Deleting the Package

The created packages can be deleted based on your requirement. Follow the below steps to delete the package:

• In the Endpoint Central console, navigate to the Software Deployment tab > Package Creation > Packages.
• Select the software package you want to delete and click on the Delete Packages option.

The selected packages will not be deleted in the following scenarios:

• When the selected packages are in use in any Configuration. To delete these packages, you must delete the configuration to proceed with the package deletion.
• When the selected packages are published in the Self Service Portal. To delete the selected packages, you must disassociate the packages from the Self Service Portal. To learn about how to disassociate the package from the Self Service Portal, refer to this link.
• When the selected packages are in use in any User-defined Templates. To delete these packages, you must delete the user-defined templates to proceed with the package deletion.