Apple Mac OS X Server (Administrator’s Guide) - Manual (Page 509)

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Network Install
Network Install lets you install Mac OS X system and other software onto client computers
over the network. Network Install is similar to NetBoot. Instead of using start-up disk images
on the server, however, client computers start up from installer disk images. An installer disk
image looks and behaves like an installer CD. Client computers can start up from the installer
disk image on Mac OS X server. After a client has started up, system software, application
software, or both can be installed on the client. Installations can be set up to run unattended
(“automated”) or to require user interaction, allowing users to specify installation options.
Note: Network Install only installs Mac OS X system software on client computers. You
cannot use Network Install to install Mac OS 9.
If you haven’t done so already, read Chapter 12, “NetBoot,” before continuing. In addition to
describing how NetBoot works, Chapter 12 includes important prerequisites for anyone
attempting to use NetBoot or Network Install.
You use the following Mac OS X Server applications to set up and administer Network Install:
m Network Image Utility—to create Mac OS X installer disk images.
m Package Maker—to create package files that can be included on disk images.
m PropertyListEditor—to edit property list (.plist) files to include packages in an installer
disk image.
The Mac OS X Server product includes the following CD that contains applications you use to
set up Network Install:
m Mac OS X Server Administration Tools CD
NetBoot, Network Install ƒ—includes Network Image Utility (in Image Creation ƒ) and
Package Maker and PropertyListEditor (in Image Manipulation ƒ)
Understanding Packages
If you plan to use Network Install to install application software, you need to know what
packages are and how they work.