Hardware Independent Imaging with NetRestore

JMRoberts84 · Nov 25, 2013

Good Afternoon,

I've just taken over Mac Imaging from a colleague who's moved in to another department, we have 2 Mavericks images now, 1 for schools and 1 for corporate. They are easy to create (we build the users and software then capture the image with NetRestore on Mavericks Server) but every time we get a new MacBook with updated hardware the image fails to go on the new machine (it is backward compatible with no issues).

I come from a Windows background where we use SysPrep to make sure all images are hardware independent - there doesn't seem to be a tool which will do this for Mac, not easily anyway.

My colleague used to create 2 new images completely from scratch every time hardware changed, this to me seems like a waste of time, I would if possible like to see if we could just update the images (via a combo update or something?), run software updates and then recapture it, saving literally a days work every time a new piece of hardware comes out.

Has anyone done this effectively? I know their are 3rd party tools available that may be able to help but if possible I would like to do it whilst still using NetRestore (our deployment team are familiar with this method).

Kind Regards,

Jon Roberts

Weaselboy · Nov 25, 2013

JMRoberts84 said:
My colleague used to create 2 new images completely from scratch every time hardware changed, this to me seems like a waste of time, I would if possible like to see if we could just update the images (via a combo update or something?), run software updates and then recapture it, saving literally a days work every time a new piece of hardware comes out.

You could run the combo update up against the image(s) bringing the build numbers into alignment, but the problem is you will not ever be able to do that until the next OS X point release comes out.

For example, let's say OS X Mavs 10.9.0 (lets call it build 12A1) is released then a couple weeks later a new Macbook comes out. Often you will see a new, special build of 10.9.0 (let's call it build 14B6) come on the new Macbook with new drivers to support that machine. Then weeks later the next general release of OS X 10.9.1 comes out (let's call it build 15H7). After that 10.9.1 update is applied to old (12A1) and new (14B6) build machines their build numbers will all be 15H7 and images can be used interchangeably.

So yes, you can update the image to 10.9.1 and use it on both machines, but until 10.9.1 comes out, you will be stuck with a set of images for the old and new machines.

JMRoberts84 · Nov 26, 2013

So basically for now I need to create a brand new image that I can use on all Macbooks (until a new update comes out..) that seems to be a real pain! There is no way of capturing drivers or files from the new MacBook and injecting them in to the previous image?

If I have to create a new image every time a new model comes out then fair enough but I just want to explore all avenues first!

JMRoberts84 · Nov 26, 2013

I see 10.9.1 beta is out, would this be an option?

Weaselboy · Nov 26, 2013

JMRoberts84 said:
So basically for now I need to create a brand new image that I can use on all Macbooks (until a new update comes out..) that seems to be a real pain! There is no way of capturing drivers or files from the new MacBook and injecting them in to the previous image?

If I have to create a new image every time a new model comes out then fair enough but I just want to explore all avenues first!

There is no way I have seen of just adding the drivers. You really need to wait until the next point update comes out and the build numbers are aligned.

JMRoberts84 said:
I see 10.9.1 beta is out, would this be an option?

That should work if you want to run company machines on a beta build. That would scare me, but its your call.

bmehilos · Nov 27, 2013

Greetings!

I do the same thing as you for a large public university.

The issue is that netRestores are by their very nature destined to become hardware dependent (or rather, release date dependent). Is there any specific reason you're using NetRestore's rather than NetInstall? There is far more flexibility in NetInstall images.

I could get really really into this if you need me too.

JMRoberts84 · Nov 27, 2013

I work in a corporate environment but we also make images for Schools (we are a local authority)

The schools image has all of their software, proxy settings and user accounts that they need all set up how they like it, this is why, I *think*, we use NetRestore, if there are advantages of NetInstall that I haven't seen then please do let me know about them!

We also do a corporate image which also has software on it (Office and so on) but as it is bound to a domain we don't deal with user accounts apart from the Apple Administrator account.

Out of interest I did try using the 10.9.1 package to update an image on a MacBook Air and then took an image of that with NetRestore, it still got the "No Entry" icon when trying to deploy to a retina MacBook Pro.

bmehilos · Nov 27, 2013

In System Image Utility, (found under Tools on the menu bar in Server.app), start creating a NetInstall image from a source (Download a Mavericks install .app or use an install media USB/external drive). Click on customize and you're brought to a lovely Automator-esque workflow creator where you can create users, install software, run scripts, all kinds of neat stuff. There can be some headaches using this method, especially with crap like Office/Flash which have abnormal software mpackages, so be sure to test the hell out of any .nbis you end up making. I've had trouble in the past during the software install phase of the image process, where things will often error out. Get familiar with PackageMaker, as most of this stuff happens when installer pkgs are looking for specific input from the user, so you might have to customize them a bit (MS TechNet has an article for this for Office 2011).

Depending on how complicated the images/software is, NetInstall+Profile Manager could work really well for you here. Workflows can be applied to any old install media, so they're build/version independent. The main issue then becomes tracking down the Installer.app for the correct build of Mavericks. If its a machine specific build (which looks to be only the newest rMBPs), you most probably will download that build from the App Store if accessed on the new machine (does that make any sense? My writing is ****ed right now, not enough coffee). So if you're imaging a brand new rMBP, download Mavericks from the App Store on that new rMBP, then move the installer onto your server. That way you should be getting the appropriate build for that machine.

JMRoberts84 · Jan 6, 2014

Just had another new MacBook in which gets the "No Entry" symbol when trying to image, meaning I now have to create another 2 images for Schools / Corporate kit.

Thanks for the information below and it seems like a great help, but I can't quite get my head around it. I'll outline what we have on our school image (the most complicated) below:

User Accounts

Apple Administrator (Short name - apple)
Teacher - (Short name - teacher) (Administrator Privileges)
Student - (Short name - student)
Enable Root User - (with a password we have)

Software

Active Inspire - Software setup on Desktop
SMART Notebook - Software setup on Desktop

iLife - Need to sign with Apple ID to accept them (Not updated)
Office 2011 - Install all Updates
Firefox - (No Proxy in Firefox)
Java for Mac
Lego Digital Designer
VLC
Paint Brush
Audacity
Google Earth
Google Chrome
Flash Player
Virtual Box - Add a VM Folder to the /Users/Shared Folder for VM location
Seashore
Microsoft Silver-light
Cysill / Cysgliad

AntiVirus
Install Sophos for Mac - With all updates applied

Printer Drivers

Install the HP Universal Printer driver for Mac

Remote Management

Enable Remote Management for Administrators group in System Settings > Sharing

Enabled remote SSH login for Administrators group in System Settings > Sharing

Network Profiles

Create 2 x network locations;

School - enter the proxy settings for BLOXX (for both wireless and LAN)

Home - no proxy settings for home use

Energy Settings

Set the energy settings for the system

Finder & View Preference

In Finder > View > Preferences set the desktop to set desktop to arrange by Snap to Grid (do this for each account)

In Finder Preferences > SideBar > Tick the computer name and home user folder (do this for each account)

In Finder Preferences set the Hard Drives, Connected Servers to be shown on the Desktop for all Accounts on the Mac. (do this for each account)

Ensure both docks have the same applications in for Student and Teacher (do this for each account)

Add the Applications folder to the Dock for easier application access (do this for each account)

Other Information

Rename the Mac to Schools Mac in System Preferences > Sharing

Zimbra & Bomgar icons added to desktop for Teacher & Admin - Web Browser Link (Do this for both Teacher and Student Account)

Add a Software Folder on Desktop of Apple Administrator account - Contains setup files for Smart Boards and ActiveSync SmartBoards (Not all schools have these boards).

Remove proxy settings from Firefox for use outside of the school (EG Home)

Download and install all the latest updates for the system

Run a permission repair on the disk before taking the image

---

Corporate is slightly simpler (no user accounts as we bind to domain after imaging) but still, doing this takes up a day of our time every time a new model is released, when compared to hardware independent windows images where we literally drop new drivers in to a drivers share (time taken 5-10 mins for all images)

It's a real shame Apple don't offer more support for the corporate environment.

Any help much appreciated!

bmehilos · Jan 7, 2014

Firstly we need to get to the bottom of the Prohibited symbol during NetBoot. On the machine that needs to be imaged, type the following into Terminal.app

sudo nvram boot-args="-v"

This changes the boot mode to verbose, which displays a lot of text on the screen during startup. I have all the machines I manage set to this, as the machines rarely get rebooted by users, and helps greatly in troubleshooting. Also, watch the logs on the NetBoot server via Console.app. The process name you'll want to watch for (or even filter) is called bootpd. Look for log entries containing the term "BSPD", as this is the form of DHCP used by NetBoot for communication.

During NetBoot on the client, now that verbose boot has been enabled, you will see it trying to load a file called "kernelcache" from a directory named x86_64. Most of the time when NetBoot fails its because this file isn't working properly or isn't getting downloaded properly (which can be caused by network issues).

If you could, post the logs you find here and we can help you diagnose.

JMRoberts84 · Jan 8, 2014

On the new Mac:

"this version of mac os is not supported on this platform"

Reason: Mac-3CBD00234E554E41

On the server logs:

Jan 8 12:52:19 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 12:52:19 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 12:52:19 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 12:52:19 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 12:52:20 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 12:52:20 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 12:52:21 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 12:52:21 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 12:52:22 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 12:52:22 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 12:52:23 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 12:52:23 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK[SELECT] sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 390
Jan 8 13:01:02 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:01:02 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:01:03 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:01:03 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:01:05 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:01:05 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:01:06 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:01:06 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:01:07 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:01:07 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:01:08 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:01:08 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:01:09 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:01:09 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:01:10 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:01:10 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:01:11 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:01:11 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:01:12 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:01:12 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:01:12 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:01:12 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK[SELECT] sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 390
Jan 8 13:02:15 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:15 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:15 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:15 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:16 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:16 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:17 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:17 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:18 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:18 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:19 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:19 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:20 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:20 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:21 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:21 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:22 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:22 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:23 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:23 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:24 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:24 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:26 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:26 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:27 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:27 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:27 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:27 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:29 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:29 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:29 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:29 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK

sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 360
Jan 8 13:02:30 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf NetBoot002 arch=i386 sysid=MacBookPro11,2
Jan 8 13:02:30 technetium.ntcarmcc.corp.carmarthenshire.gov.uk bootpd[14147]: NetBoot: [1,0:1e:c2:ff:e7:cf] BSDP ACK[SELECT] sent 172.23.2.57 pktsize 390

bmehilos · Jan 8, 2014

Here's what I would do in this situation.

1. Reinstall Mavericks on new Macbook via App Store or Internet Recovery. This ensures that the build of OS X thats installed works (though I'm still not sure why this should be the case, 10.9.1 should be good enough for all machines, but I don't have time to dig around Apple's Support site, which does list build compatibility, since I'm knee deep in Profile Manager ******** at the moment)

2. Boot fresh machine in Target Disk Mode and connect to server.

3. Open System Image Utility

4. Make a NetInstall or NetRestore Image from that, and use that as a base to build from, either by manual configuration of the image or using SIU's workflows.
(In order to get the TDM Mac to show up as a valid source in SIU, put a backslash in the volume name, eg, Macintosh\ HD, rather than leaving it as Macintosh HD. This is a **** thing to have to do, and is undoubtedly a bug, among others in Server 3.0)

I can tell your right now, based on what needs to go on the image for the schools that you need something more than just Server.app to make this easier for yourself in the future. Munkitools is a decent way of sending software packages to machines and getting it installed in the background. Casper also does this, and DeployStudio can be used for this purpose as well. Immediately I can tell you that MS Office will likely not install via SIU during a NetRestore or a NetInstall. This is because the MS Office installer is a big terrible piece of ****.

A lot of the other stuff can be dealt with using Profile Manager (actually...lmao maybe not). Profile Manager is a really great idea and can be really powerful, especially if you've iOS devices to manage as well. Give this a read through. Network config, passwords, and App Store apps (only if you've a Volume Purchasing Program account) can be configured and installed via Profile Manager.

Last note: Thankfully there doesn't seem to be any issues with your network during NetBoot. The logs look like the NetBoot protocol seems to be working fine, then the whole process takes a **** when it get to the actual image.

zenuno · Jan 9, 2014

another idea for you

Hi!
I have a mini Server but never tried the NetRestore.

I thought about an idea for you:
If you have access to the new incompatible hardware, you could a relatively simple trick
1. boot that new computer in restore mode and reinstall it from scratch. booting from the apple servers or from the hidden partition;
2. after that you would use the "migration assistant" utility to transfer your "old" fresh computer that is in reality any computer that you just net restored with your already configured and installed image;
3. that way the new computer would be updated in terms of OS X but would also be completely configured and installed as it should;
4. after that you would to a new restore image. put it in the server for that specific hardware;
5. and that is all.

It seemed easier than do everything by hand from scratch. At list you would use the "Migration Assistant" instead of doing all the step by step work yourself.

Hope it helped.

JMRoberts84 · Jan 10, 2014

Would that also install software?

zenuno · Jan 10, 2014

migration assistant idea

Hi again,

This idea uses the system that Apple gives you when you buy a new computer and want to transfer everything to your new computer. So it's supposed to bring everything you need on your new image.

It should work and it's almost automatic in those steps, it just takes you sometime waiting for the computer to run and do it thing.

I didn't tried it so I am not sure but it seemed a good idea and that's why I wrote it to you

Hope it works if you try it!

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