[Casper] leopard migration

Tue May 13 06:21:29 PDT 2008

I've been working on how I'm going to handle upgrading our small  
deployment (about 80 machines), and I've come up with utilizing  
InstaDMG to create the initial base image, and then layering on  
everything else.  The beauty of using the InstaDMG process is that I  
can then use the base image on PPC and Intel hardware without having  
to utilize two different images.  And, the beauty is that I can use  
that same exact image to be my NetBoot image.

For those that don't know about InstaDMG, head on over to AFP548.com  
and start with Josh's discussion on imaging:

http://www.afp548.com/article.php?story=ImageCreationRevolution&query=revolution

Then move on to the the webcast held  on MacEnterprise.org for InstaDMG:

http://www.afp548.com/article.php?story=20080414170557450&query=revolution

Or the MacWorld show presentation by Joel Rennich and Josh Wisenbaker:

https://www.macworldencore.com/online/presentation.asp?sessionTypeId=1&trackId=4

If you've already been thru this, I'm sorry for re-posting these links.

I took an InstaDMG created image, mounted it on the desktop of my  
Leopard server, added the Casper suite to the Applications folder (and  
took out apps I didn't need), re-saved the image, then re-mounted it  
and ran it thru the System Image utility in Leopard.  I can now  
NetBoot any machine I want, PPC and Intel, with the one image and use  
it to re-image using Casper.  Now, of course, this is not an automated  
NetInstall, so it does require the "right size bolts", as Siddhartha  
mentioned, but it will work.  And the image has worked flawlessly on  
each computer I've installed it on.

A word of advice when it comes to the InstaDMG build train:  make sure  
you utilize the clearReg.pkg script to clear the intro video:

http://www.afp548.com/forum/viewtopic.php?showtopic=20312

I would agree, however, that multi-cast is the preferred method when  
dealing with that large a number of machines.  I would also suggest,  
as Siddhartha mentioned, if possible get them all on a segmented  
network.  If you can setup a "build room" with a machine running 10.5  
Server, a Gigabit switch, and all of your machines, that's the way to  
go.  I have found in the past that doing it this way, even setting up  
a MacPro or G5 with Leopard Server running on it, I could image 20  
machines in about an hour or so.

I'd be interested to see how everyone manages this, and how it goes.   
I know for me the issue is preserving user content on the machines.   
The person that was in here before me did not move users to network  
home folders, so I have to do upgrades one at a time so that I can  
preserve the user data.  That is, until I write the scripts necessary  
to move the data before using Casper to doing auto-magically.  Anyone  
have any scripts they want to share?  :-)

Steve Wood
Director, Information Technology
swood at integerdallas.com

The Integer Group | 1999 Bryan St. | Ste. 1700 | Dallas, TX 75201
T 214.758.6813 | F 214.758.6907 | C 940.312.2475

On May 13, 2008, at 1:13 AM, Siddhartha Chadda wrote:

>
> use the right size bolts to press the n key.
> start netrestore, netinstall whatever at the exact same time on 50  
> machines at a time.
> no problem.
> also do it on a seperate segmented network.
> if all machines are making the exact same request to afp and all afp  
> reads are from memory not disk things go faster.
> did this at hopkins many moons ago.
> i wonder if they still do that? respond. you know who you are.
>
> see these photos.
> look closely for the bolts!
> http://weblogs.hopkins.k12.mn.us/onetoone/wp-content/uploads/laptopimaging.jpg
>
>
>
> Siddhartha Chadda
> Chief Technology Officer
> OLSON
> T:612.215.3533
> C:612.986.9310
> E:schadda at oco.com
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