Imaging Issues with new Intel Mac Books

[#1]

Just wondering if anyone else out there has been having troubles with
imaging the new Intel Mac Books with Leopard 10.5.2 using Casper??

Computer Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4, with the X3100 graphics card (Newest
Mac Book)

The issue we are having with this newest batch of notebooks, is that when we
try to push Leopard to them via Casper the image fails.

After the imaging process appears to complete and then reboot, the system
hangs. Looking into it further, by booting via a firewire drive we noticed
that the full system does not copy onto the computer. The only thing on the
drive is the Library folder.

If we use a disk copy and image via firewire or just do a standard DVD
install, the OS works just fine. So it appears that its something during the
Casper push.

We have used this configuration on other Intel Macs and it works as it
should. It's just this most recent batch that this has started.

We have tried building a new image (built on the new MacBooks), loading that
into the JSS directory and using that. Exact same results..

I also checked for firmware updates on the machines. None were available.

Has anyone else seen this?? Any ideas??

-- Jason Weber
Technology Support Cluster Specialist
Independent School District 196
(952)423-7974

[#2]

The share seems to show up normally.. And once it's launched I can open the
share and any folders within. I've had no troubles in the past, but there
must be something with these new machines that is slightly different.

Our server is also running 10.5.2. I'm not sure if this is a server issue
or at the machine level..

[#3]

We have had the same issue, I am unsure as to what is going on and haven't
had time to dig around although off the cuff the biggest change in Leopard
was ACLs and that would be my first place to look.

[#4]

When are netboot OS loads, it's set to automatically log in as ROOT.

So still nothing so far.. And after some more testing, I have determined
that after the imaging is complete there is actually no data at all on the
hard drive.

In the earlier post I had a RemoteClient install package that was deployed
after the image, that's where the 'Library' folder originated from. Since
then I tried pushing just a base 10.5.2 image and after the install there is
nothing at all on the hard drive.

Not good since we just got a shipment of roughly 60 MacBooks in that need to
be imaged!

[#5]

Ok, we figured it out..

Turns out to image the new MacBooks with 10.5.2 you need a 10.5.2 NetBoot
image, the JAMF server on 10.5.2, and obviously pushing the 10.5.2 image to
any new Macs.

Once we upgrade the server as well as the NetBoot image to 10.5.2 things are
now working.

We originally started with the server at 10.5.1 as well as the NetBoot image
at 10.5.1

We first upgraded the server to 10.5.2 earlier this week, but were unable to
pull any images down to the new MacBooks until the Netboot image was redone
at 10.5.2

-- Jason Weber
Technology Support Cluster Specialist
Independent School District 196
(952)423-7974

[dustydorey]

One more note on that, when I was building the images I noticed that it
helps to make sure that you do not have spaces in the name. I know
this should be S.O.P. But I slipped up once and it caused some strange
issues with netbooting the new machines as well. I don't know if that
is the official response but thought I'd throw it out there.

Our current set up here that is working with the new machines and 10.5.2

Intel Based Xserv running OS X Server version 10.5.2

Netboot image Built on newest macbooks we have running the x3100 chipset
and using the 10.5.2 install discs

Imaging we are laying down is 10.5.2

** No spaces in the netboot name**

Side note we didn't have any luck booting the newest laptops with
firewire drives that were not 10.5.2 either, just to keep that in mind
if you still have those around that you are still using.

Dustin Dorey

Technology Support Cluster Specialist

ISD 196 Apple Valley, Rosemount, Eagan

14445 Diamond Path West

Rosemount, MN 55068

(952) 423-7971

dustin.dorey at district196.org

[#7]

Thanks for posting these tips.

Was just going to ask how folks were doing with 10.5 Server. Our JSS is still running 10.4 Server.....getting ready to upgrade, and roll out our first 10.5 image too. Sounds like it's go time now.

Matt Corippo
Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes

[#8]

"mcorippo" <mcorippo at lblp.com> writes: Was just going to ask how folks were doing with 10.5 Server. Our JSS is still running 10.4 Server.....getting ready to upgrade, and roll out our first 10.5 image too. Sounds like it's go time now.

Our's is running 10.5 and has been from the beginning of our Casper
deployment. The JSS service restarts itself a few times a day - not sure
if that's normal or not. Other than that it's been working well.

Gene Anderson
Systems Analyst, Microsoft Certified Professional
Pembina Hills Regional Division No.7
Phone: (780) 674-8535 ext 6860
email: ganderson at phrd.ab.ca

"Passwords are like bubble gum, strongest when fresh, should never be
used by groups and create a sticky mess when left laying around"

-anon

[#9]

I have my JSS running on a new 10.5.2 Xserver and with the 8 cores, the CPU usage is about 1% all the time. My master CasperShare is running from a 10.4 Xserver with Xraid though, so all the new Xserve has is the JSS db and a secondary CasperShare. We are waiting for the Java tomcat to run in 64-bit mode which can then take advantage more RAM for tomcat. Things have been better since switching to this new server and 10.5.2. I think it is more the hardware than the OS that improved the response times. Otherwise, stable.
My NetBoot 10.5.2 image is working OK. occasional problems and I still can't turn off spotlight on it. # sudo mdutil -i off / I think I have problems booting eMacs from the Leopard netboot too. Haven't tried for a while.

Nathaniel Lindley

++++++++++
Learning Systems Specialist
Educational Technology
Saint Paul Public Schools
Saint Paul, Minnesota
nathaniel.lindley at spps.org
phone: 651-603-4929

[ernstcs]

We're running our JSS on the old PowerPC Xserves with 10.5.2. We've had strange things happen, like "Not a valid JSS" messages (even though it is). Some of the images not of the web interface not coming up until after several refreshes and then messages about security not supported in FireFox. Our JSS restarts on occasion. Apparently our instance of Tomcat isn't logging anything either...so that's pretty sweet. However, these issues aren't related to just Leopard Server...some have happened on Tiger Server, too.

I'd be interested to know if anyone sees the Invalid JSS message on occasion...

Craig Ernst
Systems Management & Configuration
----------------------------------
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Learning & Technology Services
105 Garfield Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Phone: (715) 836-3639
Fax: (715) 836-6001
----------------------------------
ernstcs at uwec.edu

[#11]

"Ernst, Craig S." <ERNSTCS at uwec.edu> writes: I’d be interested to know if anyone sees the Invalid JSS message on occasion...

We've seen it a few times, but haven't had any now for over a month. What
version are you running?

Gene Anderson
Systems Analyst, Microsoft Certified Professional
Pembina Hills Regional Division No.7
Phone: (780) 674-8535 ext 6860
email: ganderson at phrd.ab.ca

"Passwords are like bubble gum, strongest when fresh, should never be
used by groups and create a sticky mess when left laying around"

-anon

[ernstcs]

5.11