Mat X, JD, and special guest Rod Christensen from Emily Carr University invite you to the next exciting chapter of the MacDevOps YVR podcast. In this episode, the conversation spans across the adoption of DevOps practices in managing Macs, ongoing experiences with various software tools, and the shared thrill of transforming workflows into more efficient systems. It’s an engaging mix of personal anecdotes, technical insights, and lively banter that showcases how fostering collaboration within the tech community can lead to innovation and success.
Summary
In this episode, Mat and JD welcome Rod Christensen back to the show, where he shares his journey in revamping infrastructure for managing devices using open-source solutions and cloud platforms. Their dialogue dives deep into Rod’s implementation of a DevOps model at Emily Carr, highlighting how he transitioned both Mac and Windows infrastructures into synchronized, cloud-based operations. Rod discusses the excitement of leveraging Azure DevOps, the intricacies of using CI/CD pipelines, and the push towards automation for a more standardized workflow. Furthermore, they touch on the importance of documentation and knowledge sharing within teams to ensure processes remain streamlined and intelligible for all members.
The light-hearted camaraderie between the hosts and Rod makes this episode both informative and entertaining, featuring practical advice on everything from implementing security measures in cloud environments to the necessity of continuous integration and deployment for modern IT operations. As they gear up for the MacDevOps conference, they also extend an invitation to listeners, encouraging them to join the thriving community dedicated to improving Mac management and DevOps practices.
Featured Highlights:
- Rod’s long relationship with the MacDevOps conference and his involvement over the years.
- The challenges and successes Rod faced as he implemented AWS and Azure solutions during the pandemic.
- Practical experiences around CI/CD, including the benefits of Azure DevOps and how it simplifies workflow management.
- Importance of documentation and creating an internal handbook to assist team members with their daily tasks.
- Rod’s plans to start a blog, titled Focused Systems, where he will share his insights and resources for the community.
Chapters:
0:20 Introduction to MacDevOps YVR Podcast
1:35 Guest Introduction: Rod Christensen
2:52 Discussing Cloud Technologies
5:20 Transitioning to Azure
7:18 Revamping Workflows with Git and CI/CD
11:17 Challenges and Solutions in Device Management
17:01 Importance of Documentation
18:21 Team Dynamics and Communication
22:05 Exploring Azure DevOps
26:00 Transitioning to Intune
30:32 Future Plans and Innovations
34:42 Closing Remarks and Resources
Related Links:
- Azure DevOps
- Git Tower
- https://social.focused.systems/@rod
- Focused Systems (blog)
- Munki Report
- Graham Gilbert- Munki with Terraform
- Terraform (software)
- CI/CD (continuous integration / continuous deployment)
- munki-pkg
- Munki Admin
- git hooks
- Object storage (or blob storage)
- Azure pipelines
- Azure artifactsÂ
- Xcreds
- MicroMDM
- Intune
- Entra
- Munki