Apple

On monolithic imaging: http://www.afp548.com/article.php?story=ImageCreationRevolution

http://public.me.com/michaeltscott
- I put most of the items from class in here, less the images. I&D.zip contains the DeployStudio installer and guide, InstaDMG folder and guide, and the slides that I went over in class.

DeployStudio
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We learned how we can use DeployStudio to create master images (Windows and OS X alike), deploy images via Netboot, configure local settings (including creating users), run scripts, and install packages.

http://www.deploystudio.com/Home.html
- DeployStudio homepage, with download, documentation, slides, and links.
http://deploystudio.wikispaces.com/
- DeployStudio wiki with documentation and community collaboration.
http://web.me.com/driley/iWeb/Dual-boot_Lab_files/DeployStudio_Guide.pdf
- DeployStudio guide that we worked from in class.

InstaDMG
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We learned how to create machine agnostic, untouched never-booted images with InstaDMG. We added software update packages, as well as our own user created packages (for preference changes as well as adding applications).

This process is outlined in the InstaDMG v1.1 guide that we went over in class (available on my iDisk), but in brief:
- Create a master DVD image of the Mac OS X Installer.
- Download required Apple provided software update packages (starting with the latest OS combo updater) from apple.com/downloads (note that firmware updates must be run by hand, and Apple application updates like iWork updates should be included as necessary)
- The trick I mentioned with the Software update log. View the log on a machine with all updates applied, find the last OS update, and all updates following that will be required:

- Download or create packages for Apple and third party applications and updates.
- Run the InstaDMG script.

http://www.afp548.com/filemgmt/viewcat.php?cid=11
- InstaDMG download (reference script)
http://www.afp548.com/filemgmt/viewcat.php?cid=12
- InstaDMG user submitted packages
http://www.afp548.com/forum/index.php?forum=45
- InstaDMG forums
http://www.afp548.com/forum/viewtopic.php?showtopic=18907
- Details on installerchoices.xml

Other Applications
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Apple Package Maker
- Included in the Apple Developer tools, found on your OS X installer disc or http://developer.apple.com/tools/
LANrev InstallEase
- free registration required http://www.lanrev.com/nc/product/download-installease.html
IceBerg
- free http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/development_tools/iceberg.html
Pacifist
- shareware http://www.charlessoft.com/ (will help you dial that image size down)
Composer
- commercial software http://www.jamfsoftware.com/products/composer.php

Notes
--------

This is the workflow I am now using for developing and deploying OS X images. There is never one right way, so keep that in mind!

The idea is to use InstaDMG to create a master image with packages that you know work, and use DeployStudio as needed to test and develop along the way for things like users, packages, and scripts. At the end, you will have a master InstaDMG created image (which includes everything from users to preferences to applications in the build train) that is deployed with a very simple DeployStudio workflow. You can then automate Netbooting with the various methods we discussed in class (and which are covered in the DeployStudio guide), and utilize DeployStudio to make on-demand changes to your existing image as needed.

- Start with a simple InstaDMG created image of the latest available Mac OS, utilizing installerchoices.xml to get it as small as possible. Include only the OS and all Apple system software updates (iWork, Final Cut, or other Apple apps are not included at this point).
- Setup your Mac OS X Server. Ensure you have a healthy forward and reverse DNS lookup to and from the server. Enable required services like OD, filesharing and Netboot.
- Setup your DeployStudio server using the assistant.
- Deploy the InstaDMG created image with a very simple workflow with as few steps as possible (partition and restore volume should be enough) to a dedicated development machine.
- make sure you are creating a local admin to work with, either in InstaDMG or DeployStudio, your choice.
- Gather your Apple and third party applications that are already available as package installers and add them to the InstaDMG build, and run the script. Remember to use installerchoices.xml as needed.
- Deploy the image to the development machine and test your apps - keep in mind these apps are being run for the first time so you will see corresponding user interaction / preferences.
- Install the Apple Developer tools (or utilize the InstallEase / Iceberg combo we used in class)
- you can do this by adding the devtools installer package to the InstaDMG build train or in DeployStudio's workflow, your choice.
- Create custom packages as needed for applications and settings, using either the snapshot method or manually creating packages.
- note: create 1 package at a time, keeping your changes as modular as possible.
- Test these custom packages by adding them to the workflow in DeployStudio.
- note: test as you go, 1 at a time.
- Add tested packages that work as you want to the InstaDMG build.

Now you have a never booted image with all your custom additions that is ready to be deployed locally or over the network. When deploying you can choose to run additional scripts, or add packages, to stay responsive to user and system needs. Then you can add those additions back into your master image, not having to worry about testing or developing.

I think that about covers it, as email will allow.

Thanks!

-Mike

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Michael T. Scott

Apple, Inc.

K12 Education Systems Engineer

(720) 346-3871

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