-Best- method of creating a Mavericks configuration?

[darms21]

I am reaching out in hope that the community can collectively recommend an ideal method of creating a Mavericks Configuration. In the past, we followed /url">@jhalvorson][/url instructions found at: [https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/discussion.html?id=3841. These instructions no longer work w/ Mavericks because the InstallESD.dmg has changed (correct me if I am wrong).

Appreciate any advice.

[gregneagle]

Use AutoDMG. https://github.com/MagerValp/AutoDMG

[jhalvorson · Accepted solution]

One method for deploying is mentioned here:
https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/article.html?id=319
The short story is that if you have Casper 9.2 or later, you can simply drag and drop the "Install OS X Mavericks.app" into Casper Admin. (I use the DMG that is created for updating existing devices via Self Service.)

But recently I've been using AutoDMG for my base OS for Casper Imaging because it's so magically awesome. Currently I have one base OS for Late 2013 retina MBP (10.9.1 Build 13B3116) and another for other Macs that support 10.9 (10.9.1 Build 13B42). Once I get in a Late 2013 MacPro, I'll have to create a 3rd base OS installer.
https://github.com/MagerValp/AutoDMG
Use AutoDMG to create the OS + any Apple Updates into a DMG file. Then drop it into Casper admin and use it exactly like you used to use a "Compiled" dmg for your Base OS. The only extra step is to set the priority to 1. Do not checkmark the "This is a OS X Installer or Adobe..." option. Using this method will create Recovery partition too. (I haven't tested if this can be the source for updating existing pre 10.9 devices via Self Service yet.)

[dpertschi]

Ditto for AutoDMG.
I'm just building my 10.9 configs now and it works fine, quick and easy.

[darms21]

Thanks guys!

I've tried AutoDMG a few times over the last 24 hours as I saw that recomended elsewhere but each time I've attempted to build the package, progress has hung during the "Running package scripts...." phase... Any ideas why that might be happening?

[jhalvorson]

I am probably overly cautious but to create my 10.9.1 (13B42) dmg using AutoDMG, I used a 2012 Mac Pro with a clean install of 10.9.1 - I have a bootable installer on a USB memory stick. Then I used the Mac App Store to re-download the Mavericks installer. And then used that with AutoDMG to build the dmg.

To make my 10.9.1 (13B3116) build, I did the exact same process but on a Late 2013 MBP with retina. I made the assumption that I could not use this hardware create the more general 13B42 build.

Are you including all of the available Apple updates?

[wyip]

+1 for AutoDMG

Here's another thread that discusses how to use AutoDMG to create an image from one of the forked builds: https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/discussion.html?id=8923

[mindkido]

Hi, does anyone know any way to customize the image before building the final image? for example, if I want to show the Macintosh HD icon on the desktop for all newly deployed mac?
I am using AutoDMG with PackageMaker and CreateUserPkg.
thanks