About the Patch Catalog
The Patch Catalog is our software catalog. The Patch Catalog contains all of the required data needed to install or update software titles like:
- Latest version
- Download URL and checksum
- Install media/application signature information
When a client Mac requests to install/update a specific application, data from the Patch Catalog is returned to the client that the Patch CLT uses to:
- Determine if an installation or update is necessary
- Determine where to obtain the install media and how to install the application
- Determine how to validate the code signature of the install media or application
- And more!
Additionally, the Patch Catalog is updated 3 times a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in a scheduled automated process. If any anomalies occur during the update process we are immediately notified so that we can resolve any issues encountered.
You can find a list of available applications on the next page or with Alectrona Patch Desktop.
Architecture Matching
Many software titles have multiple builds to support the two modern Mac processor architecture types (Intel and Apple silicon). The Patch Catalog can return the build of a software title that matches the architecture of the requesting Mac; further simplifying software installation/updates. 🔥
For example, the 1password software title in the Patch Catalog has two available builds.
- 1Password for Intel (aka x86_64)
- 1Password for Apple silicon (aka arm64)
If an Apple silicon Mac requests data for 1Password, the Patch Catalog will return data about the arm64 build. Likewise, an Intel Mac would receive data about the x86_64 build.
Lastly, if the software vendor releases a universal build of their app 😍, which are supported on both Intel and Apple silicon, your Mac fleet would receive that universal build.
Apps that Require Rosetta
Rosetta is a translation layer that enables a Mac with an Apple silicon processor to run apps built for Intel-based Macs.
The majority of the software titles in the Patch Catalog are natively compatible with Apple silicon Macs. However, some are marked as "Requires Rosetta" if the vendor has yet to publish a build of their app that natively runs on Apple silicon. We expect the number of applications that require Rosetta to diminish over time.