Compiling configurations

[jarednichols]

Hi-

I've got two questions about compiling configurations...

Are there any actions that aren't compatible with this? Such as scripts that
launch on re-boot, AD binding etc

My base OS image is from the 10.6 retail disc ­ 10.6.0. To make distributing
newer OSes easier can I just place the OS combo update straight after that?
Like priority 2?

j
---
Jared F. Nichols
Desktop Engineer, Client Services
Information Services Department
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
244 Wood Street
Lexington, Massachusetts 02420
781.981.5436

[Bukira]

Hi,

i use compiled, all scripts work, the only things that dont get
installed into the compiled config is Adobe installs, the scripts dont
get complied into the config either but they all work, everything works
fine,

it basically does a local image and then makes a single dmg from that.

so scripts are linked but not added and adobe is not complied

Did that makes sense? :-)

basically you can add anything, but u'll only save space and speed on
packages and dmgs

Criss

Criss Myers
Senior Customer Support Analyst (Mac Services)
iPhone Developer
Apple Certified Technical Coordinator v10.5
LIS Development Team
Adelphi Building
University of Central Lancashire
Preston PR1 2HE
Ex 5054
01772 895054

[jarednichols]

That's fine, I'm really looking for speed on a couple of configurations
(like loaner laptops that will need a quick turnaround). As long as things
like first reboot scripts work, then I'm cool.

Anyone on an answer about adding the Combo OS update package?

Thanks!
j

[Bukira]

it speeded mine up by half so well worth it, just not good if you need
to make changes as need to re-compile, plus it takes a while to compile,
but you can add and remove scripts without recompiling, All my setups
are complied.

I dont do combo updates so can say, i would say give it go,

basically :

IF it works normally then it will work with compiled, as its just a
copy of the process but in 1 dmg for speed.

Criss

Criss Myers
Senior Customer Support Analyst (Mac Services)
iPhone Developer
Apple Certified Technical Coordinator v10.5
LIS Development Team
Adelphi Building
University of Central Lancashire
Preston PR1 2HE
Ex 5054
01772 895054

[stevewood]

I'm working through that right now, trying to use a 10.6 image and add the
combo. I had it working on one of my configurations, but cannot seem to get
it working on the second. I am using an InstaDMG image created from a
MacProp Drop In Box DVD. I can get the OS to load and everything else, but
for some reason the combo updater is not loading.

When I say I had it working on one config but now not on another, let me
explain. I created a config named "10.6 Laptops" and added an OS image that
was created using InstaDMG (same as the MP one) from a 13" MacBook Pro DIB
DVD. I started by just having the OS in the config and testing. I did this
because I was having problems previously with the first user account being
created. This installed fine. So I then added 10.6.2 combo to the
configuration and that too worked fine. I continued to layer in my
applications and everything else and that configuration works - I end up
with a laptop with 10.6.2 on it.

Now, the MacPro one was a new config named 10.6 Desktops and I followed much
the same process to test and try, yet it just didn't work. And now, as I
look over my shoulder, I'm receiving the dreaded "NilObjectException" during
the imaging process, so I'll need to start over. (booted off a brand new
NetBoot Image)

BTW - neither of these configurations are compiled. I know that was one of
your "requirements".

Steve Wood
Director of IT
swood at integer.com

The Integer Group | 1999 Bryan St. | Ste. 1700 | Dallas, TX 75201
T 214.758.6813 | F 214.758.6901 | C 940.312.2475
Sent from Dallas, TX, United States

[tlarkin]

Here is my approach to compiled configurations, which means I gotta do a
few things differently. Please note I am still testing this. I build a
base 10.5.8 image by making an image of the installer DVD and using the
10.5.8 combo updater. I then add in all packages that need to be
standard on the image. So, this is a very base image of OS X + some
apps + firefox + iLife 09. That is going to be on every single Mac
standard. This is my compiled.

Then I create manual trigger policies for all student, teacher, or
building specific packages and make smart configurations based on that
compiled configuration. It is trickier than it sounds though because
compiled configurations will not work as a parent configuration of a
smart config. This is because of the whole package priority feature in
Casper. So, my parent configuration is actually a shell script which
uses the ASR command to fore image the compiled configuration to the Mac
client. Then once that completes the smart configs kick in and all my
post scripts, packages that are group specific (student, teacher, admin,
etc) and building specific get installed afterward. Also, all account
creation and system configuration is also done via post shell script.

I am rewriting my scripts too, to make them way more easier to maintain. I hard code any needed variable that would possibly need changing (like
account info, passwords, and so forth) with comments so anyone in my
department can look at the script, easily tell what I am doing and
change it accordingly. So, if I have to roll out a password change, all
I gotta do is go into my original script, modify the variable for the
password and re-upload it to the JSS via Casper admin.

I would love to be able to modify scripts on the fly though inside
Casper Admin, *cough - feature request - cough*.

I am starting to shift a lot of things over to manual trigger policies. The power of customization it gives you is fantastic and it allows you
to accomplish many feats. I took the whole "dummy package" concept, and
change it to just manual trigger polices that will just echo out a
command or write to a text file in /Library/Reciepts. That way all I
have to do to know what computer has what configuration or what not, is
look at that custom trigger policy log. This of course does not work
with any Adobe products, so you still gotta do those with the Casper
tools. I had problems with CS4 though and did not have enough time to
fuss with it, so I just manually install it over the network now via ARD
admin. I am also running my custom trigger policy for naming
conventions to force actual standard names, even if an admin changes the
name of the computer, it will get changed back to the name it is suppose
to have with out the user even knowing it.

Just to give you an example of my testing phase. My compiled image is
about 4 to 5 gigs compressed in size and it took me under 10 minutes to
image a new iMac with it. Everything works great, except that I can't
have smart groups with a parent group of a compiled configuration. Thus
I am adjusting and testing.

-Tom

[stevewood]

Here's what I'm getting in the jamf.log file after completing the
installation with the 10.6.2 combo not installing:

Wed Feb 10 07:49:44 NetBoot043 jamf[620]: Installation failed. The installer
reported: installer: Package name is Mac OS X Update Combined
installer: Installing at base path /Volumes/Macintosh HD
installer:PHASE:Preparing for installation…
installer:PHASE:Preparing the disk…
installer:PHASE:Preparing Mac OS X Update Combined…
installer: The install failed (The Installer encountered an error that
caused the installation to fail. Contact the software manufacturer for
assistance.)

Any ideas from anyone?

Steve Wood
Director of IT
swood at integer.com

The Integer Group | 1999 Bryan St. | Ste. 1700 | Dallas, TX 75201
T 214.758.6813 | F 214.758.6901 | C 940.312.2475
Sent from Dallas, TX, United States

[tlarkin]

This may be related to the 10.6 installer bug which John had alerted us
to. I don't have that issue but I am still running 10.5.8.