Headless Remote Upgrade

falterego · Feb 20, 2013, 01:11 PM

I have a remote data center with several headless Mac Minis running Photoshop jobs on images. We need to upgrade some of our filters and other components and the requirements mean we need to do a OS upgrade from 10.5 to 10.6.

Is this something that can be done remotely using ARD? I've read a few posts about the Xserve having ARD support for similar upgrades, but I haven't been able to find anything referencing a non-server OS upgrade being done this way.

If it weren't for the 24/7 operation of the PS jobs I'd copy the DMG and follow the steps outlined for the Xserve. However, I can't risk the upgrade not working and us losing access to 1 of 5 systems for several days before we can have someone onsite to do the upgrade manually.

phr0ze · Feb 20, 2013, 01:58 PM

Are you just after screen sharing? That can be turned on quite easily.

mdgm · Feb 20, 2013, 10:58 PM

Have you checked to make sure your systems running 10.5 have enough RAM installed to run 10.6? Also have you checked to make sure those systems are on the supported list for 10.6?

If you need to put more RAM in some systems you'll have to go on-site anyway to upgrade them.

Adz76 · Feb 21, 2013, 10:21 AM

If you need to do a software update and reboot the machines I'm guessing this won't work.

Not sure if Macs POST like PCs but if they do you wont pass that as you need input devices present for the POST to be successfull.

I'd find out if they do, if they don't you should be fine.

falterego · Feb 21, 2013, 04:12 PM

We're able to reboot them remotely on a semi-regular basis if one of the PS scripts fails, so I know they will boot into the OS, login and run the scripts with no interaction. I have confirmed that all hardware supports 10.6, they can actually go all the way to 10.8, but it is not necessary to go that far.

My primary concern is being able to access the systems once they have rebooted into the install screens. I think we're just going to hold out until someone can be onsite for the install. I'll test the ARD connection when I have someone at the facility for other tasks.

ActionableMango · Feb 21, 2013, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falterego

I think we're just going to hold out until someone can be onsite for the install. I'll test the ARD connection when I have someone at the facility for other tasks.

That's the smart move. Even if a dozen random strangers on the Internet told me it were possible, I'd still have someone on site.

Feb 20, 2013, 01:11 PM	#1
falterego macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Southern California	Headless Remote Upgrade I have a remote data center with several headless Mac Minis running Photoshop jobs on images. We need to upgrade some of our filters and other components and the requirements mean we need to do a OS upgrade from 10.5 to 10.6. Is this something that can be done remotely using ARD? I've read a few posts about the Xserve having ARD support for similar upgrades, but I haven't been able to find anything referencing a non-server OS upgrade being done this way. If it weren't for the 24/7 operation of the PS jobs I'd copy the DMG and follow the steps outlined for the Xserve. However, I can't risk the upgrade not working and us losing access to 1 of 5 systems for several days before we can have someone onsite to do the upgrade manually. __________________ Why am I sticky and naked? Did I miss something fun? 2010 13in MBP \| 2012 13in MBA \| 2011 Mini Server \| Sprint iPhone 4s \| VZW iPad2 \| Airport Extreme N Solid state is my way of life.
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Feb 20, 2013, 01:58 PM	#2
phr0ze macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Columbia, MD	Are you just after screen sharing? That can be turned on quite easily. __________________ 2012 11" MBA i7/8/256 2011 Mac Mini with 27" Thunderbolt Display Black iPad Mini 32GB Verizon Black iPhone 5 32GB ATT
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Feb 20, 2013, 10:58 PM	#3
mdgm macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2010	Have you checked to make sure your systems running 10.5 have enough RAM installed to run 10.6? Also have you checked to make sure those systems are on the supported list for 10.6? If you need to put more RAM in some systems you'll have to go on-site anyway to upgrade them. __________________ Laptop - 2012 rMBP 2.3Ghz, 16GB RAM 256GB SSD HTPCs - 2Ghz E09MM, 2.53Ghz L09MM, 2Ghz 11MMS
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Feb 21, 2013, 04:12 PM	#5
falterego Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Southern California	We're able to reboot them remotely on a semi-regular basis if one of the PS scripts fails, so I know they will boot into the OS, login and run the scripts with no interaction. I have confirmed that all hardware supports 10.6, they can actually go all the way to 10.8, but it is not necessary to go that far. My primary concern is being able to access the systems once they have rebooted into the install screens. I think we're just going to hold out until someone can be onsite for the install. I'll test the ARD connection when I have someone at the facility for other tasks. __________________ Why am I sticky and naked? Did I miss something fun? 2010 13in MBP \| 2012 13in MBA \| 2011 Mini Server \| Sprint iPhone 4s \| VZW iPad2 \| Airport Extreme N Solid state is my way of life.
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Feb 21, 2013, 10:21 AM	#4
Adz76 macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Dagobah System	If you need to do a software update and reboot the machines I'm guessing this won't work. Not sure if Macs POST like PCs but if they do you wont pass that as you need input devices present for the POST to be successfull. I'd find out if they do, if they don't you should be fine.
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