Create NetBoot images

Creating OS X NetBoot images using System Image Utility.

You can create NetBoot images of OS X that you can then use to start client computers over the network.

You can also assemble a workflow to create a NetBoot image that permits advanced customization of your images. For more information, see About workflows.

You must purchase a OS X user license for each client that starts from a NetBoot or NetInstall disk image.

  1. Log in as an administrator user.

  2. Open System Image Utility (in the /System/Library/CoreServices/ folder).

  3. In the left sidebar, select the image source.

    If no image sources are listed, mount a valid OS X installation image or a valid OS X boot volume.

    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.

  4. Select NetBoot Image and click Continue.

  5. In the Network Disk field, enter a name for your image.

    This name identifies the image in the Startup Disk preferences pane on client computers.

  6. (Optional) In the Description field, enter notes or other information to help you characterize the image.

    Clients can’t see the description information.

  7. If the image is served from more than one server, select the checkbox below the description field.

    This option generates an index ID for NetBoot server load balancing.

  8. Click Create.

  9. In the Save As dialog, choose where to save the image.

    If NetBoot service is configured on a network port and the Server app is set to serve images from a volume, the NetInstall service share point folder NetBootSPn appears in the pop-up menu.

Important:  Don’t attempt to edit content in the image destination folder while the image is being created.