Build a custom workflow
Use image workflows to create macOS NetBoot, NetInstall, and NetRestore images. Workflows let you manually define the contents of your image in System Image Utility.
You must be logged in as an administrator user to build a custom workflow. Actions in a workflow must be connected; if they aren’t, the workflow is invalid and the actions are not processed.
To build a workflow from a set of actions, drag and drop the actions from the Automator Library in the sequence in which you want them to run. Each action in the workflow corresponds to a step you would usually have to perform manually.
Each action has options and settings you can configure. System Image Utility connects these action components with the types of data that are flowing from one action to another.
Open System Image Utility for me
Add trusted NetBoot servers
Note: This task isn’t necessary if you use the Startup Disk preferences to select NetBoot images.
You can add trusted NetBoot servers so your Mac computers (OS X 10.11 or later) can start up from those servers using the bless
command-line tool.
You can also use the csrutil
command-line tool in macOS Recovery on each Mac, or do the following:
Click the source pop-up menu, then choose your configured Mac volume, mounted disk image (which also appears as a configured Mac volume), or macOS install app.
Choose the type of image (Package-only, NetInstall, NetBoot, or NetRestore).
Your image type selection may vary depending on the image source you selected.
Click Customize to open Automator, then select System or System Image Utility from the Actions list.
Drag the Define Image Source action into the Workflow area, then configure the action for your image.
Drag the Bless NetBoot Server action into the Workflow area.
Click the Add button , then enter the NetBoot server’s IP address.
You can add up to 20 NetBoot server addresses. For more information, see the Apple Support article.
From the Automator Library choose any additional actions, then drag them into the Workflow area after the Define Image Source action.
Arrange the actions in the order you like, configuring each action as you go.
Add the Create Image action to the end of your workflow.
This action is required at the end of image workflows.
Click Save, then enter the name of your workflow in the Save As field.
Click the Where pop-up menu, then choose a location or click the triangle next to the Save As field and navigate to a folder.
Click Save.
To start the workflow, click Run, then authenticate if prompted.
Important: Do not attempt to edit content in the image destination folder while the image is being created.
Build a custom workflow
Click the source pop-up menu, then choose your configured Mac volume, mounted disk image (which also appears as a configured Mac volume), or macOS install app.
Choose the type of image (Package-only, NetInstall, NetBoot, or NetRestore).
Your image type selection may vary depending on the image source you selected.
Click Customize to open Automator, then select System or System Image Utility from the Actions list.
Drag the Define Image Source action into the Workflow area, then configure the action for your image.
From the Automator Library choose any additional actions, then drag them into the Workflow area between the Define Image Source action and the Create Image action.
Arrange the actions in the order you like, configuring each action as you go.
Add the Create Image action to the end of your workflow.
This action is required at the end of image workflows.
Click Save, then enter the name of your workflow in the Save As field.
Click the Where pop-up menu, then choose a location or click the triangle next to the Save As field and navigate to a folder.
Click Save.
To start the workflow, click Run, then authenticate if prompted.
Important: Do not attempt to edit content in the image destination folder while the image is being created.
You can save your workflows to reuse later. Use the following table to locate which actions can use storage devices , disk images , or a macOS install app for NetBoot, NetInstall, or NetRestore network images.
Automator action | NetBoot | NetInstall | NetRestore |
---|---|---|---|
Add Configuration Profiles | |||
Add Packages and Post-Install Scripts | |||
Add User Account | NA | ||
Apply System Configuration Settings | |||
Bless NetBoot Image Folder | |||
Bless NetBoot Server | NA | ||
Create Image | |||
Customize Package Selection | |||
Define Image Source | |||
Define Multi-Volume NetRestore | NA | NA | |
Define NetRestore Source | NA | NA | |
Enable Automated Installation | NA | ||
Filter Clients by MAC address | |||
Filter Computer Models | |||
Partition Disk | NA |