A Distribution Point (DP) is a server used to host files for distribution to computers and mobile devices. Jamf Pro can distribute the following types of files through a DP:
– Software packages
– Scripts
– Internal applications
– Internal books
Jamf Pro supports two types of Distribution Points and you can use any combination of these types of Distribution Points.
– File Share Distribution Points
– Cloud distribution points
By default, the first distribution point you add to Jamf Pro is a primary distribution point. You can also add multiple Distribution Points as Secondary Distribution Points, which copy all the files from the Primary Distribution Point, and you can change the Secondary Distribution Point to the Primary Distribution Point at any time.
So why do you need to create multiple distribution points when you have a primary distribution point? Imagine a situation where an enterprise is headquartered in Beijing and has branches in Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, etc. If the Jamf Pro server and primary distribution point are deployed in the headquarter, then when doing content distribution, the end devices in the other branches will get the content from the headquarter through the public network. If the software is large and the data is big, it will bring pressure on the network resources of the headquarters, and the branches will also face the problem of limited network bandwidth resources.
If the terminal devices of each branch can get files directly from the branch, is not it more efficient and will not affect the export network bandwidth? You will need to create distribution points for each branch and synchronise all files from the primary distribution point at headquarters to all secondary distribution points to reduce enterprise network resources and provide distribution efficiency.
For more information on distribution points please refer to:
https://docs.jamf.com/10.12.0/jamf-pro/administrator-guide/About_Distribution_Points.html