Mac OS X Server: Creating a single NetBoot, NetInstall or NetRestore image for multiple Mac models
Summary
Learn which Mac OS X releases can be used to create a NetBoot, NetInstall or NetRestore image that can be used on multiple Mac models.
Products Affected
Lion Server, Mac OS X Server 10.4, Mac OS X Server 10.5, Mac OS X Server 10.6
In general, you can use a reference release of Mac OS X to create a single NetBoot, NetInstall, or NetRestore image for multiple Mac models. The image will support those computers that meet the minimum system requirements of the reference release, and did not ship with a later version of system software. For example, the Mac OS X v10.6.3 retail installation disc will support all Intel-based Macs that shipped with a version of Mac OS X earlier than v10.6.3.
Starting with OS X Lion, you can use the latest version of the "Install Mac OS X Lion" application, which you can download from the Mac App Store. To redownload the installer on a computer running OS X Lion, press and hold the Option key while you click the Purchases tab in the Mac App Store application. The button to the right of the "Install Mac OS X Lion" item should change to "Install."
Releases support specific, newer models
Macs ship with a computer-specific Mac OS X release (called a "build"). If this release is newer than the latest reference release, you must use it when creating a NetBoot or NetInstall image for this Mac, to ensure that the proper system software is installed. You may also be able to use a reference release combined with a software update, as described below.
See this article for a list of which versions of Mac OS X shipped with which Intel-based Macs.
Important: In all cases, do not install an earlier version of Mac OS X than what your computer shipped with.
OS X Lion NetBoot and NetRestore Images created from updated volumes can support multiple models
You can create a NetBoot or NetRestore image that supports multiple Macs from a computer on which a reference release has been updated using the latest version of the "Install Mac OS X Lion" application from the Mac App Store.
Important: Even if the computer you are imaging has the latest version of Mac OS X installed, you must update it using the latest version of the installer to create an image that supports multiple Macs. You can redownload the installer on a computer running OS X Lion by pressing and holding the Option key while you click the Purchases tab in the Mac App Store application.
Mac OS X v10.6 NetBoot and NetRestore Images created from updated volumes can support multiple models
Additional Information
You can restrict access to images based on the computer model to prevent users from installing an unsupported version of the Mac OS X onto their computer.
If you're creating a new image you can use System Image Utility to restrict which models of computers will be allowed to start from a specific image. Refer to page 38 of the System Imaging & Software Update Administration guide for Mac OS X Server v10.6 for more information on configuring the Filter Computer Models workflow action.
If you've already created an image, you can use Server Admin to restrict which models of Macs will be allowed to boot from a specific image. When viewing the list of images in Server Admin, select an image, then press the Edit button to configure filtering options.
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