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Set up Mac OSx Image Management

Some notes for creating and managing Mac OSx images and then distributing them onto client machines via NetRestore

Tested and working on

  • Mac mini (Late 2012)
  • macOS Sierra Version 10.12.6
  • Mac Server Version 5.3.1
  • iMac 21.5" Desktop Intel 3.06 GHz, 4GB DDR3 RAM, 500GB HDD - MB950LL/A

Server Setup

  • Assign server static ip address
  • Set up DNS server
  • Assign server a FQDN and add as DNS entry (may not be needed)
  • Add server's local domain name as DNS entry (may not be needed)
  • Modify network settings to use 127.0.0.1 as DNS. Test via ping in terminal
  • Set up File Sharing to host Open Directory user home folders. Share home folders over NFS
  • Select appropriate volume in NetInstall to hold images
  • Set up Open Directory

Create Initial Client Image

  • Create a partition to hold the image. We'll call it Image
  • Create bootable USB drive: https://gist.github.com/awei01/7ed444ab6a85b2eaecf29c122bbaadaf
  • Reboot machine and boot from the USB
  • Install OSx onto the Image partition
  • Make whatever customizations needed
  • Modify /etc/hosts to resolve domain names to the ip address for server

Creating NetRestore Image

  • Reboot machine into the main System where Mac OSx Server is running
  • Click Tools > System Image Utility
  • Select Image as the source
  • Select NetRestore
  • In System Configuration set a name for Generate Names. We'll use Client
  • Add the Directory Server
  • Automatically install to Local HD
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