Building a Smarter OS Update Strategy with Declarative Device Management

93 days ago • 13 views • The Sequence • the-sequence.com

Managing operating system updates across an Apple device fleet has always been a balancing act. Push updates too aggressively, and you risk disrupting critical workflows. Move too cautiously, and you expose your organization to security vulnerabilities. The solution? A well-designed N-1 OS update strategy powered by declarative device management (DDM).

What Is an N-1 OS Update Strategy?

An N-1 OS update strategy is a systematic approach to OS management where devices are maintained on either the current major OS version (“N”) or the immediately preceding version (“N-1”). This strategy creates a controlled environment where your fleet remains current without the risks of day-one adoption across all devices.

For example, with macOS Ventura as the current major release and macOS Monterey as the one immediately preceding it, an N-1 strategy would ensure your devices run either Ventura or Monterey, with no devices left on older macOS versions.

This approach offers several advantages:

  • Maintains security by ensuring devices receive critical patches
  • Provides flexibility for testing and validation
  • Reduces support complexity by limiting OS versions in your environment
  • Balances