Configure a Mac to use an internal Software Update Server
22 Sep 2013 | Last updated: Never
If you've configured an internal Software Update Server using Server.app, you'll need to point your client machines at your server in order for them to receive updates from it. Without configuring this preference, your client machines will update via the Internet.
Enter the following command into Terminal followed by return.
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL http://name-or-ip-address-of-server.domain:8088/index.sucatalog
Replace "name-or-ip-address-of-server.domain" with your server's name or IP address, and domain. For example:
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL http://10.0.1.25.local:8088/index.sucatalog
To reverse this configuration, enter the following command into Terminal followed by return.
sudo defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL
This will return the Mac to the default setting, which is to update via Apple's own Software Update servers.
Compatibility
Tested on OSX 10.7.x, Lion, and 10.8.x, Mountain Lion.