If a client computer is configured, you can use System Image Utility to create a NetBoot or NetInstall image based on that client configuration.
You must start up from a volume other than the one you’re using as the image source. For example, you could start up from an external FireWire hard disk or a second partition on the client computer hard disk. You can’t create the image on a volume over the network.
To create an image, you must have valid OS X image sources or volumes. If you download the OS X installer from the App Store and double-click it, a valid OS X image source appears in the source list. You cannot create an image of the startup disk you’re running on.
Start up the computer from a partition other than the one you’re imaging.
Install System Image Utility on the client computer.
Open System Image Utility on the client computer (in the /System/Library/CoreServices/ folder).
In the image source list, click the triangle at the left of Sources.
From the expanded list, select the image source.
When you select the source, this action chooses a default image type based on the contents of the selected source.
Select the type of image you want to create and click Continue:
If your client computers will start up from this image, select NetBoot.
If your image will be installed on a hard disk, select NetInstall.
If your image is a clone of a volume, select NetRestore.
In the Image Name field, enter a name for your image.
This name identifies the image in the Startup Disk preferences pane on client computers.
(Optional) In the Description field, enter notes or other information to help you characterize the image.
Clients can’t see the description information.
If the image is served from more than one server, select the checkbox below the description field.
This option generates an index ID for NetInstall server load balancing.
For NetBoot images, if your source volume is a OS X Installation image, enter a user name, short name, and password (in the Password and Verify fields) for the administrator account in Create Administrator Account.
You can log in to a booted client using this account.
Click Create.
In the Save As dialog, choose where to save the image.
If you don’t want to use the image name you entered earlier, change it by entering a name in the Save As field.
To save the image somewhere else, choose a location from the Where pop-up menu or click the triangle next to the Save As field and navigate to a folder.
Click Save and authenticate if prompted.
Important: Don’t attempt to edit content in the image destination folder while the image is being created.
After the image is created on the client computer, copy it to the /Library/NetBoot/NetBootSPn share point on the server for use by NetInstall service.
Images should be stored in this folder.