Creating a Mac OS X Installation Image using DeployStudio

2. Creating a master image

Creating the master Mac and Windows images is probably the most important step(s) that require the most preparation and customization. Because you will be deploying these images to multiple systems, it is important that everything is set up correctly and/ or can easily be changed after the fact. Customization can be as simple as creating an updated OS and software installations for deployment. It can also be as complex as customizing the image to authenticate to directory services, include multiple users and a customized user environment, replacing items, hiding users, etc., etc. There are a few things that are very important. Several of those steps are covered in this section.

• Make sure that all Macintosh hardware firmware and SMC is uptodate.This process can not be completely automated due to the requirement of holding down the power button on each machine to activate the firmware or SMC updates. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1237

• InstallMacOSX(unless you are installing from a machine just out of the box, in which case you may want to use that default OS, as described earlier). Note: Depending on the system you are creating, your master image from it may have software included that is only offered, and therefore licensed, for that particular model. Make sure you have a license for all software you are deploying.

  • Installall updates to the OS and any installed software.

  • Enable Apple Remote Desktop, if desired.

  • Create any users (i.e., an admin account for remote administration and an Apple

    Remote Desktop user account).

  • Install and run all software once to verify serial numbers and build fontlists.

  • RunDiskUtility->RepairPermissions.

  • Run Disk Utility -> Verify Disk.

  • The following applications may beuseful, depending on the type of deployment:

    • Flip4Mac - allows users to play Windows Media Files

    • Apple Remote Desktop - update to the current client version

iii. Boot Picker - install the latest version
iv. Deep Freeze - obtain a license, install and configure. Note: Deep Freeze

systems must be deployed thawed and can be set up from Apple Remote Desktop.

• v. Any Virus software deployed in the off setting
• h. Enabling and disabling various functions may also be helpful or necessary:

• Disable the Apple Remote functionality to avoid intentional or inadvertent IR

  signals effecting the systems - System Preferences -> General -> check.

  Disable remote control infrared receiver.

• Adjust Energy Saver settings - System Preferences -> Energy Saver ->

  Settings for: Power Adapter adjust settings accordingly

• iii. If you bound the system for testing Active Directory or Open Directory testing, you must unbind the system prior to creating the image. DeployStudio includes Workflow Tasks for rebinding the systems to both Active Directory and/or Open Directory.
• There are several additional Mac OS X customization options you may want to take advantage of. A short list of additional items are covered in Appendix C - Mac OS X Customization Options.
• Note: DeployStudio manages the creation of the Local Kerberos Distribution Center (LKDC) on first boot. As of Mac OS X Leopard (including Snow Leopard clients), every Mac is now running a LKDC. The LKDC is used for features like Back to my Mac for security and authentication. Using tools other than DeployStudio to build and deploy images may sidestep the removal and recreation of the LKDC. In a scenario where DeployStudio is not used, each imaged machine is using the same security certificate and hash. Deploying a single image will deploy the same LKDC to every system. This can cause problems later when binding to Active Directory and/or Open Directory. It is for this reason that images should be built and deployed using DeployStudio Workflows. Disk Utility is one example of a tool that will not properly build an image to successfully manage the LKDC deletion and re-creation.

1. Windows image creation (information to follow)

1. Linux image creation (information to follow)