Setting the Data Reporting Policy

To speed up reporting and allow reporting from offline clients, Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) uses saved client system and file information. You can automate the collection of this information for reports by setting the data reporting policy. This schedule determines how often the client updates its system and file information for reports.

In accordance with the collection schedule you set, each client computer connects to a central reporting database, and uploads the information you designate. There are certain trade-offs to the frequency of these updates. If you require all the clients to update their information too often, you run the risk of added network traffic and slower client performance during updates. If you don't require the clients to update often enough, the report data that you receive may be out of date. You should take care to balance your reporting needs and your network and client performance needs.

The collection policy includes two kinds of information: system information and file system information. System information includes all possible reported information for the following reports:

• System Overview
• Storage
• USB Devices
• FireWire Devices
• Network Interfaces
• Memory
• PCI Cards

The file system information includes all possible reported information for the following reports:

• File Search
• Software Version
• Software Difference

1. Select a computer list.
2. Select one or more computers in the Remote Desktop window.
3. Choose Manage > Set Reporting Policy.
4. Select On a Schedule.

   To disable a client's automatic data collection, select Only When Needed For A Report.

5. Choose the day or days the data collection should occur.
6. Set the time at which the collection occurs.
7. If desired, set the time interval each day between collections by selecting On Selected Days Repeat Every ____ Hours.
8. If desired, set the time interval between scheduled rebuilds if newer data exists by selecting Skip Rebuild If Data Is Newer Than ____ Hours.

   This sets the minimum number of hours or minutes that can occur between data collections.

9. Choose System Data, File Data, or both.
10. Click Set.