For IT administrators managing macOS environments, deploying printer drivers efficiently is crucial. This guide outlines the process of packaging and deploying Xerox Printer Drivers using Jamf Pro, ensuring seamless printer access for your users. By leveraging Jamf Pro and Composer, you can streamline driver deployment and maintain a consistent printing environment across your organization.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
- A macOS machine: Composer, a component of Jamf Pro, is designed to run on macOS.
- Access to your Jamf Pro server: You’ll need administrative access to upload packages and create policies.
- Xerox printer drivers: Download the appropriate drivers for your Xerox printer models.
- Java 11: Composer requires Java 11 to function correctly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Packaging and Deploying Xerox Printer Drivers
Follow these steps to package and deploy your xerox printer drivers using Jamf Pro and Composer:
1. Download Jamf Pro Tools (Composer)
To begin, you need to download the Jamf Pro tools, which include Composer.
- Navigate to the Jamf Nation website: https://www.jamf.com/jamf-nation/my/assets
- Log in with your Jamf Nation credentials.
- Locate and download the Jamf Pro tools installer package.
2. Install Java 11
Composer requires Java 11. If you don’t have it installed, download and install it. A convenient download link is available from TechSpot:
Install Java 11 before proceeding with the Jamf Pro tools installation.
3. Install Jamf Pro Tools and Launch Composer
Install the downloaded Jamf Pro tools package on your macOS machine. Once installed, locate Composer in the /Applications/Utilities/ directory and launch it.
4. Configure a Signing Certificate
For enhanced security and to ensure package integrity, it’s recommended to sign your packages. You can create a signing certificate using Jamf Pro’s built-in Certificate Authority (CA).
- Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR): Use your macOS machine to generate a CSR. Keychain Access can be used for this purpose.
- Create a Web Server Certificate in Jamf Pro:
- Log in to your Jamf Pro server.
- Navigate to Settings > Global Management > Certificate Authority.
- Create a new Web Server Certificate and paste the CSR content generated in the previous step.
- Download the generated certificate.
- Install the Certificate in Composer:
- Copy the downloaded certificate file to your macOS machine.
- Double-click the certificate file to install it into Keychain Access.
- Open Composer and go to Composer > Preferences > Signing Certificate.
- Select your newly installed certificate from the dropdown menu.
- Check the box to “Sign all packages” and click Save.
Refer to the official Jamf documentation for detailed instructions on creating a signing certificate: Creating a Signing Certificate Using Jamf Pro’s Built-in CA
5. Understanding Composer Snapshots
Composer uses a snapshot mechanism to capture file system changes. It takes a “before” snapshot and an “after” snapshot. The differences between these snapshots are then packaged into a deployable package. This ensures that only the necessary files for the xerox printer drivers are included in your package.
6. Create a New Package Source (Snapshot)
- In Composer, click New Package Source in the sidebar.
- Select Normal Snapshot and click Next.
- Enter a descriptive name for your package, for example, “Xerox Printer Drivers – [Model] – [Date]”. This will help you identify the package later in Jamf Pro.
7. Install Xerox Printer Drivers (During Snapshot)
With the initial snapshot taken, proceed to install the xerox printer drivers as you normally would on a macOS machine. Composer is actively monitoring file system changes during this installation process. Run the Xerox driver installer package.
8. Clean Up Unnecessary Files (Optional)
After installing the drivers, Composer may capture changes in user directories. In many cases, these are not necessary for driver deployment and can be removed to reduce package size. In Composer, review the captured changes and remove any user-specific directories (e.g., /Users/[YourUsername]). Be cautious and only remove directories that are not essential for the xerox printer drivers to function correctly.
9. Build as Package
Once you are satisfied with the captured changes, click Build as Package. Choose a location to save your package (.pkg) file. Composer will now create a deployable package containing the xerox printer drivers and associated files based on the snapshots.
10. Upload to Jamf Pro
- Log in to your Jamf Pro server.
- Navigate to Computers > Packages.
- Click + New.
- Fill in the package details, and upload the .pkg file you created with Composer.
11. Deploy the Xerox Printer Drivers via Policy
Create a policy in Jamf Pro to deploy the newly uploaded package to your target macOS devices.
- Navigate to Computers > Policies.
- Click + New.
- Configure the policy settings:
- General: Provide a display name for the policy (e.g., “Install Xerox Printer Drivers”).
- Packages: Add the Xerox printer driver package you uploaded.
- Scope: Define the target computers or groups for driver deployment.
- Execution Frequency: Set the execution frequency as needed (e.g., Once per computer).
- Save the policy.
12. Troubleshooting “Package Could Not Be Verified”
If you encounter a “package could not be verified” error during policy execution, you might need to adjust the package validation settings in Jamf Pro temporarily.
- Navigate to Settings > Computer Management > Security.
- Set Package Validation to “Never”.
Note: Setting package validation to “Never” should be done with caution and ideally only for troubleshooting or in controlled environments. Revert to a more secure setting after successful deployment. This step is based on a solution found in the Jamf Nation forums: Failed Policy: Package Could Not Be Verified
13. Test and Verify Installation
After deploying the policy, verify the installation on a target macOS machine.
- Check if the xerox printer drivers are installed correctly in System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
- Perform a test print to ensure the drivers are functioning as expected.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can effectively package and deploy xerox printer drivers to your managed macOS devices using Jamf Pro and Composer. This method ensures consistent driver deployment, simplifies printer management, and empowers your users with reliable printing capabilities. Utilizing Composer’s snapshot feature and Jamf Pro’s deployment policies provides a robust and scalable solution for managing printer drivers in your organization.
