NetInstall enables automated OS installations, software updates, and packaged applications from a network based Mac OS X Server.  As a Systems Admin managing over 100 Mac clients, NetInstall simplifies customized imaging process to client systems.  The image hosted on the Mac OS X Server can contain combination of OS and packaged applications specific to the hardware requirements.  Instead of having to carry around FireWire drives loaded with disk images, NetInstall detects server based disk image for automated installation over the network.  NetInstall provides complete control and ease of system image upgrades without having to rebuild the entire disk image.   As in Article #31 How to Setup a NetBoot Server on Mac OS X Server, the setup process of NetInstall services is quite similar.

Start by creating a base image of the client computer with applications, updates, and configurations which can be deployed to all computers on the network.  Additional packaged applications can later be installed with System Imaging Utility specific to groups or hardware requirements.  Image can be created using Disk Utility, NetRestore Helper, System Image Utility, and etc.

Once the base image has been successfully created, mount the disk image.

Depending on the image of the OS, download and install Server Admin Tool 10.5.7 or Server Admin Tool 10.6.

Launch System Image Utility from the default location of /Applications/Server/System Image Utility

Mounted base image will automatically be detected.  Select Customize button.

Read the software license agreement and select Agree.

Select and drag Add Packages and Post-Install Scripts to System Image Utility screen.  See image below.

Additional actions can be defined in the Workflow tailored to your organization’s need.

Add packaged application(s) into Add Packages and Post-Install Scripts.  Select the destination path to save the file.  Provide a Name, Volume Name, and Description of the image.  Finally select Run to start image creation process.

While NetInstall image is being created, Mac OS X server (10.5 Leopard Server) will need to be configured for NetBoot/NetInstall services. Open Server Admin and select a server that will host NetBoot/NetInstall service. From Settings icon, select Services tab. Activate NetBoot and NFS services by marking the checkbox. When complete, select Save.

Start the NFS service by selecting Start NFS from bottom-left corner.

NetBoot/NetInstall configuration requires multiple steps. From Settings icon, select General tab. Enable NetBoot on at least one port by marking the checkbox (most frequently Ethernet 1). Select where to put images and client data by marking the checkbox. Select Save when complete.

Before proceeding to the next step of NetBoot/NetInstall configuration, upload the completed NetInstall image onto the server hosting Netboot/NetInstall services in /Library/NetBoot/NetBootSP0.

Upon uploading the NetInstall image, navigate to Settings icon, Images tab. The NetInstall image will auto populate. Enable the NetInstall image by marking the checkbox. This disk image is only compatible with Intel machines, therefore, filter clients by selecting Edit icon (Pencil icon).

Filter clients by allowing all Intel based models and select OK. Make sure to select Save from Images.

Start the NetBoot server by selecting Start NetBoot from bottom-left corner. Mac OS X Server configuration for NetBoot/NetInstall services is complete.

To image client computers, boot off the NetInstall image from the server. From System Preferences/ Startup Disk, select the NetInstall image and Restart. Holding down the N key when booting will also boot the computer to NetInsall image.






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