Force Encrypted Backup

In iOS 5 Apple requires all backups for an iOS device enrolled in MDM be encrypted.

This means it’s not possible to have a non-encrypted iOS backup if the device is managed. We find this confusing because the MDM options in Restrictions > Security & Privacy has a checkbox for Force encrypted backup.

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What this means, is enrolling an iOS devce in Robot Cloud — even if you don’t apply any restrictions — will result in iTunes prompting for a password for the backup during the next sync.

Warning

If you encrypt an iPhone backup in iTunes and then forget your password, you will not be able to restore from backup and your data will be unrecoverable. If you forget the password, you can continue to back up and use the device, however you will not be able to restore the encrypted backup to any device without the password. You do not need to enter the password for your backup each time you back up or sync.

February 20, 2012   /   Comment

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Customization

Robot Cloud customers who manage iOS devices get their own login. We’ve taken the default JAMF Software branding, added a splash of Robot Cloud, and now provide a basic level of client customization.

Login Screen

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Welcome Screen (once logged in)

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February 17, 2012   /   Comment

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MDM Resources

Here are two great resources for learning more about mobile device management (MDM):

Mobile Device Management Primer
http://www.mactech.com/2011/11/15/mobile-device-management-primer

Look for “Mobile Device Management videos” on this page:
http://www.jamfsoftware.com/solutions/mobile-device-management

February 8, 2012   /   Comment

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Inventory & Alerts Package

The Robot Cloud Inventory & Alerts package provides a daily inventory of all your Macs so you know exactly what you’re managing. Plus, Robot Cloud alerts you to problems.

Inventory information is availble via Device Scout. You also have the option to provide Device Scout logins to clients or end-users. Want the ability to do more? Step up to the Policy Package.

Inventory & Alert Items

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Check out the live document to see the entire list of current Inventory & Alerts built into Robot Cloud. Use the list below to understand what each column represents. Contact us if you have suggestions for more!

  1. Name: The name of the inventory or alert.
  2. Frequency: How often Robot Cloud checks for updates or changes.
  3. Scope: What devices report to Robot Cloud.
  4. Email Alerts: What alerts you will be notified of via email.
  5. Device Scout: What alerts you can view in Device Scout.
  6. Description: Details of the Inventory or Alert item. Be sure to also view the Comments in this area for even more details (hover your mouse over the orange comment indicator.)

 

February 7, 2012   /   Comment

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Policy Package

The Robot Cloud Policy Package includes Inventory & Alerts, plus the ability to efficiently install and patch software and perform maintanance. In addition, any software that is installed with Robot Cloud can also be removed by Robot Cloud.

List of Policies

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The image above is only a partial screen grab. Check out the live document to see the entire list of current Policies built into Robot Cloud. Use the list below to understand what each column represents. Contact us if you have suggestions for more! The Robot Cloud Policy list is always growing.

  • Policy Name: The name of the software application or script.
  • Version: The version of software currently being deployed.
  • Self Service: This application or script is available for on-demand installation through Self Service, Yes or No?
  • Update Frequency: How often does the policy run (if not upon request).
  • Command Line Trigger: great for admins to silently push out a policy.
  • Local Distrubtion Point: required for deployments of large software titles.

 

February 7, 2012   /   Comment

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Enterprise iOS

Robot Cloud is now listed at the EnterpriseiOS.com web site.

EnterpriseiOS.com is a great resource for anyone exploring mobile device management (MDM). Keep in mind this site does not speak to the Mac management capabilities of Robot Cloud. It’s focused exclusively on MDM.

January 18, 2012   /   Comment

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Systems Requirements

Mac & iOS

Robot Cloud works with Macs running Mac OS X 10.4.x through 10.7.x and mobile devices running iOS 4 and later (although iOS 5 offers more features). iOS includes iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices.

January 16, 2012   /   Comment

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Network Requirements

There are a few ports that must be open between your devices and the Robot Cloud server located at jss.forgetcomputers.com. The communication is two-way (sending and receiving). In future versions we hope to be able to consolidate to a single HTTPS (443) port.

SUMMARY

  • Our Inventory and Alerts Package requires port 443.
  • The Robot Cloud Policy Package requires ports 443 and 22.
  • If a location does not have a local distribution point, then ports 80 and 548 are also required.
  • Our iOS Package requires port 5223.

 

DETAILS BELOW

Port 443 – Required

Port 443 is the standard port for HTTPS. Each workstation checks in with Robot Cloud on this port. iOS enrollment also occurs over this port. A managed machine will contact the Robot Cloud server and check to see if it is scheduled to run any health checks, maintenance or software updates. All inventory reports that are generated are transferred securely to the Robot Cloud server.

Port 22 – Required for Policy Package

The standard port for SSH (known as remote login in Mac OS X). When a local distribution point is set up in your environment, it is kept up-to-date with a scheduled rsync through an SSH connection to our master distrbution point.

Port 80 – Optional

Port 80, the standard port for HTTP, is the most common port for package deployment and is used for running scripts and installing packages. Most software updates that come from the Robot Cloud server arrive on this port. If a location has a local distribution point that syncs with Robot Cloud, then this port is not required.

Port 548 – Optional

Port 548, the standard port for Apple File Protocol (AFP), is used in syncing local distribution points and is a fall-back protocol in the event port 80 or port 443 are unavailable. If a location has a local distribution point that syncs with Robot Cloud, then this port it not required.

Port 5223 – Required for iOS Package

The port used to send messages from Apple Push Notification service (APNs) to the iOS devices on your network.

January 16, 2012   /   Comment

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