VMWare's Workspace ONE platform enables IT teams to manage any app on any device by integrating access control, application management, and unified endpoint management. In this guide you will learn how to perform a completely silent installation of the Netskope Client for supported MacOS versions.
High-Level Process
From a high-level, the process is as follows:
Configure Device Profile to deploy Pre-requisites
Configure Workspace ONE Sensor to push pre-install file
Push Netskope Client
Before you start, make sure to have
Access to a Netskope tenant.
Access to a Workspace ONE tenant with Intelligent Hub licensing.
A MacOS device running MacOS 11.x or newer that has completed enrollment with Workspace ONE and has the target user's e-mail populated accurately.
Downloaded the attached .zip file and extracted the script attached to this post.
Scroll down to the System Extensions section and click the small Add button to the right to enter configuration mode
Configure the following information
Parameter
Value
Connection Name
Netskope
Connection Type
Custom SSL
Identifier
com.netskope.client.Netskope-Client
Server
gateway-yourtenant.goskope.com
Provider Designated Requirement
anchor apple generic and identifier”com.netskope.client.Netskope-Client” and (certificateleaf[field.1.2.840.113635.100.6.1.9] /* exists */ or certificate1[field.1.2.840.113635.100.6.2.6] /* exists */ and certificateleaf[field.1.2.840.113635.100.6.1.13] /* exists */ and certificateleaf[subject.OU] = “24W52P9M7W”)
This completes the payload configuration, you should see four (4) total payloads listed in the Summary pane to the right of the profile configuration section.
Click Next to continue and assign the profile to a Smart Group that contains your MacOS devices which will receive the Netskope Client.
Configure the Netskope Pre-Install Sensor
The ws1_netskope_sensor.sh script is used to create a Workspace ONE Sensor that will create a file on the local MacOS device to be ready by the NSClient.pkg during installation. The content of the file will provide the installer with all it needs to complete the silent install and not prompt the user for any information.
Sensors require Workspace ONE Intelligence licensing. If you do not have this feature, contact your VMware rep to add it or work with your Netskope account team on possible alternative installation methods.
In Workspace One, navigate to Resources > Sensors
Click the Add button > choose macOS from the drop-down menu
On the General tab New Sensor dialog, give the sensor a name (Ex: netskope_sensor) - note that the name must begin with a lowercase letter; spaces and special characters other than underscores are not allowed
Click Next
On the Details tab of the New Sensor dialog, leave the Language, Execution Context and Response Data Type fields at their default values
Click Upload and browse for the ws1_netskope_sensor.sh script you previously modified earlier in the guide
Validate that the script contents are displayed correctly
Click Next
On the Variables tab of the New Sensor dialog, specify the following
Key
Value
email
{EmailAddress}
Click Save & Assign
Click the New Assignment button
Set an Assignment Name and Select a Smart Group -- this should be the same group that you assigned to the Device Profile earlier in the guide.
Click Next
Set the deployment triggers you wish to use for distributing the sensor -- using "Periodically" will help with testing since forcing a sync or check-in will execute the sensor vs. logging out and logging back in.
Click Save
Configure the Netskope Package for Install
In Workspace ONE, navigate to Resources > Apps > Native
Click the Add button > select Application File
On the Add Application dialog, click Upload and choose the NSClient.pkg you downloaded at the beginning of the guide
Once uploaded, click Save and Continue
Set the Deployment type as Full Software Management and upload the required metadata file -- you will need to follow the steps provided on-screen to generate this file
Click Continue
Review the application information displayed and set the Minimum OS along with the supported platforms -- refer to Netskope Client Supported OS and Platform for more
Click Save & Assign to choose the Smart Group that will be used for targeting the install
Congratulations! You've built out all of the needed parts to successfully deploy the Netskope client silently to your MacOS devices.
Testing
Ensure your device is a member of the correct Smart Group to receive the Device Profile and the Sensor
Validate that the Device Profile is present on the machine by going to System Preferences > Profiles and looking for the profile you created.
Validate that the sensor has executed by creating the /tmp/nsbranding/nsinstparams.json file on the MacOS device
If the above items are present, assign the package to the computer and verify the agent installs silently and the tunnel establishes without any user interaction
Notes and Considerations
The Pre-requisites Device Profile and the Sensor must successfully deploy beforeyou attempt to push the Netskope package. To ensure proper order of operations, some customers many customers will use one smart group for the Device Profile and the Sensor and a separate group for the application install.. Depending on your level of expertise with Workspace ONE, you may use additional checks to validate that the pre-reqs are in place and then dynamically add the systems to the Smart Group used for application install.