Here is a quick script to get you started using AutoFS, with some minor explanation.

AutoFS_example.sh

#!/bin/sh
#
#
#  The following will Install autofs and create an AutoFS config that
#  will mount  SERVER:/EXPORT  on MOUNT_POINT/$MOUNTNAME
#
#  OPTION:
#    You can also add all subdirs of a mount by adding a trailing "&"
#  The following will mount each dir under /nfs/disks/ discreetly
#  disks -rw    server:/nfs/disks/&
#
#  ls $MOUNT_POINT/disks/$SOME_SUB_DIR
#
$(yum -y install autofs ) || $(apt-get install autofs )

MOUNT_POINT=/nfs_disks
EXPORT=/install
# nota bene: if using IB or other you must specify the correct address for that medium!
SERVER=xcat-01
MOUNTNAME=xcat_install

cat <<EOF >>/etc/auto.master
#base mount point   config file                global arguments for file 
$MOUNT_POINT        /etc/AutoFS/${SERVER}.cf  -fstype=nfs,hard,intr,nodev 
EOF

mkdir -p /etc/AutoFS
cat <<EOF >/etc/AutoFS/${SERVER}.cf
$MOUNTNAME         -rw ${SERVER}:/${EXPORT}
# $MOUNTNAME       -ro ${SERVER}:/${EXPORT}
EOF


service autofs restart
ls -l $MOUNT_POINT/$MOUNTNAME