Updating OS X.3

Apple regularly makes security, performance and feature updates available for OS X Server and Client They can be manually downloaded from Apple's website, automatically installed by using the Software Update application in System Preferences, or installed remotely using the command line.

Software Update

Software Update allows you to configure how often OS X checks for updates as well as whether to automatically download them. Updates will not be automatically installed without requiring confirmation from a user with administrator privileges.

Previously installed updates are recorded and can be viewed from the "Installed updates" tab.

Command line

Running software updates from the command line can be useful in situations requiring remote access. While Apple's Remote Desktop or a free VNC server can be used, nothing beats SSH and the command line for simplicity.

The command SoftwareUpdate can be used to list, download, install, ignore or schedule any updates available for your system.

[localhost:~] admin% SoftwareUpdate --help
Software Update Tool
Copyright 2002-2003 Apple Computer, Inc.

usage: SoftwareUpdate [-q]  
Options:
        -q              Quiet mode
Commands:
        -h | --help     Print this help
        -l | --list     List all available updates
        -d | --download Download (to directory set in InternetConfig)
        -i | --install  Install (requires root)
                 ...      specific updates
                -a | --all              all available active updates
                -r | --req              all required active updates
        --ignored       Manage ignored updates list (per-user)
                add  ...  specific package names
                remove  ...       specific package names
                remove (-a | --all)     all currently ignored package names
        --schedule      Manage scheduler preferences
                on | off                Set automatic checking (per-user)

[localhost~] admin% SoftwareUpdate --list
Software Update Tool
Copyright 2002-2003 Apple Computer, Inc.

Software Update found the following new or updated software:
   ! iPod2004-08-06-3.0.2
        iPod Updater 2004-08-06, 3.0.2, 10892K [required]
   * AirPortSW-3.4.1
        AirPort Software, 3.4.1, 9152K [restart]