- Reference 16.1 Understanding the Caching Service
- Reference 16.2 Configuring and Maintaining the Caching Service
- Reference 16.3 Comparing Software Update and Caching Services
- Reference 16.4 Troubleshooting the Caching Service
Reference 16.3 Comparing Software Update and Caching Services
The current and several previous versions of OS X Server have offered the Software Update service (see Lesson 17, “Implementing Software Update Service”). This service allows you to limit the software updates available to your Mac clients. However, because OS X clients cannot simultaneously use the Software Update service and the Caching service of OS X Server, you must choose which service is more appropriate for your needs.
If a Mac is already configured to use the Software Update service, it will not use the Caching service; in order to use a Caching server, you must reconfigure such a Mac to not use the Software Update service.
Here are the main differences between the two services:
- The Caching service caches many different kinds of content but the Software Update service caches software updates only.
- The Caching service caches an item only after the first client requests it, but the Software Update service allows you to automatically download software updates before the first Mac client needs them.
- The Caching service makes all appropriate items available to clients automatically, but with the Software Update service, you can allow clients to download only the updates you have approved (for instance, if you are required to confirm that each software update is compatible with your other software and workflows).
- Eligible computers with OS X automatically use an appropriate Caching server, but you must configure a computer with OS X to use a specific Software Update server.
- The Caching service provides no ability to manage what clients can download, but the Software Update service does.
- The Caching service is great for mobile clients whether or not they are inside your local network. In contrast, if a client that is configured to use your server’s Software Update server cannot contact it once the client leaves your local network, then the client could not use Software Update or the Mac App Store to install software updates until it returns to your local network.
- The Software Update service does not provide any service at all to iOS devices.
Table 16.1 summarizes the differences between the Caching service and the Software Update service.
Table 16.1: Caching Service vs. Software Update Service
Category |
Caching Service |
Software Update Service |
Type of content cached |
OS X and iOS software updates; App Store, Mac App Store and iBooks Store items; iTunes U items; Internet Recovery |
OS X software updates only |
Specify content to serve |
Not Applicable |
Automatic or Manual |
Download trigger |
Client requests item from Apple |
Immediate or Manual |
Client configuration |
None |
defaults command, managed preferences, or configuration profile |
Even though it is possible to use the same server to provide Software Update and Caching services, be aware that this may require a large amount of storage space, and a single client cannot use both services.
Unless you need to prevent Mac clients from installing specific software updates via Software Update or the Mac App Store, it is recommended that you use the Caching service instead of the Software Update service.