Wither NetInstall Creator?

I just found out about this yesterday! I hope it sticks around!

I am having real trouble creating a Netbot image of Mavericks, so I hope this tool is still being updated.

@stevewood wrote:

Most of us just use System Image Utility to create our NBIs.

Or DeployStudio, reluctantly. I never knew there was a JAMF Automator action for Netinstall creation. I guess I missed that nugget.

@stevewood each time I try and make one I get an System Image Utility error which says error 2

Tried a few things to fix but can't get anywhere with it.

@dwest have you looked through the discussions in this article:

https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/discussion.html?id=9306#respond

Specifically you might look at my post in that thread dated 1/21/2014. While my method is not the only method, it is the method that I've used for at least 5 years to create NBIs and have had very few problems.

You can also look at this thread for information on slimming down NBI sets and other good tidbits:

https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/discussion.html?id=2984#respond

I always liked the NetInstall Creator, but alas it didn't move on to a new version. I create the NetBoot sets myself using System Image Utility and then if I need to slim em down, I do recommend the thread posted by @stevewood.

some of the other posts contained on that thread tell of what other users did to keep theirs smaller based on what they needed. If space is no concern, System Image Utility seems to work. JAMF released an automator action to help with it, but I want to customize the NetBoot set just a bit before using it so I go through making my own instead.

@donmontalvo I'm curious how you leverage DeployStudio's net boot sets? We've been using deploy studio a long time, but they finally listened to me and got Casper, but I never used casper imaging directly, though I've only made one NBI with System Image utility with Casper in mind, that now famous 10.9.2 kext issue got me, so I haven't tried again, I've been stalling looking for what others use, I'm not a huge fan of DeployStudio, but it does make pretty strait forward NBI, is it easy, or require some Hacky hacks?

@Orleck It's very easy. :) But, with DeployStudio having that ARD issue (can't connect remotely), I really miss NetInstall Creator.

@donmontalvo Can you please point me towards a resource or how to page on modifying a deploy studio net boot set so I can use it for casper imaging? I'm very familiar with DeployStudio's net boot creation and use, but as you know, its boots right into the deploy studio environment, where as I'd like to use casper imaging, but by booting the machines into the DeployStudio created NBI, do you perhaps have a walkthrough, or could I bribe you to explain? I'm fairly savvy, so I wouldn't need it to be super detailed, :) you seem to be the guy on here who knows more than just about anyone!

Thanks for the info either way, much appreciated, cheers!

-Orleck

@Orleck wrote:

Can you please point me towards a resource or how to page on modifying a deploy studio net boot set so I can use it for casper imaging?

I'm not sure that's possible, have you posted to the DeployStudio forum to see what they say?

you seem to be the guy on here who knows more than just about anyone!

Haha, you must be confusing me with @gregneagle? :)

I'd call JAMF about the kext issue, they have their fingers on the pulse of all the environments running Casper Suite, so they are in the best position to help.

Also for the kext issue, maybe check out @Lotussheney's post: https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/discussion.html?id=9836#responseChild54488

Don

@Orleck

Can you please point me towards a resource or how to page on modifying a deploy studio net boot set so I can use it for casper imaging?

It is really simple. Just add Casper Imaging.app to /Applications, edit /etc/rc.install replacing the path to the DS runtime with Casper Imaging and then add the required frameworks. I just rsync /System/Library/Frameworks to my NBI. It is overkill, but the total size is still under 3gb.

Way more interesting would be automating this using BaseSystem.dmg from the recovery partition as the source. Compressed it could be under 1gb.

Keep an eye on this upcoming tool from @bentoms...

https://twitter.com/macmuleblog/status/475424483038474241

@donmontalvo Interestingly enough, in troubleshooting ids stuff, it looks like JAMF is reviving NetInstall Creator, because after some things got escalated internally on JAMFs end, their boss came back with a beta vs. to try (in an attempt to help us work around the NetBoot / JDS issues)

So i don't think they're letting it go away, it looks like they're bringing it back, and soon

@activitymonitor Thanks! I didn't think it would be that easy! Much appreciated, I'm going to have to hack up a DS NBI... :P

@Orleck you have that Beta Handy? or should I email support?

@Orleck, I'd love to see it too.

May stop AutoCasperNBI of not needed, however... If they compliment each other...

@wmateo Indeed I do, they didn't give me any restrictions on it, except that it's in very early beta form, for instance, it didn't take my background image, not sure if it's related, shoot me your email and I'll happily dropbox what they gave me :)

@wmateo @bentoms I just realized, I don't think there is a PM or direct message option here, Orleck is my twitter handle, or Orleck via the G Mails :)

@Orleck would I be able to get the beta as well? I've been trying to modify a DeployStudio nbi and haven't been successful at getting Casper Imaging to run on it.

@Merkley @wmateo @bentoms

how about this, http://tinyurl.com/kmc77lp

:) Let me know if it's different than the tool of old, I'm curious if it's been modified very much or not.

Cheers,

Orleck

<cringes>

@Orleck I got it - Thank You. it's actiually very good, and quick. It didnt take my background image though. Maybe I will see where I can insert it. Kernel Cache is smaller and loads lot faster. This can be a good alternative for the DeployStudio netboot creator which in my opinion works well, but I cannot add Casper Imaging into it.

@Orleck I got it as well. Thanks! This boots much faster than my previous .nbi that I created. I was able to get Casper imaging opening. I'm using Casper 9.32. It didn't save my background picture either.

Hey everyone,

As you may have noticed, we just posted the Casper NetInstall Creator v4.0.

We've also posted the source to our GitHub account. We look forward to working to continue to improve this tool with your support.

Please also note that if you're imaging using a JDS Instance, you'll want to follow the instructions here.

Thanks,

Nick