New World Order

Okay....

I have been absent from this blog. But, for one good reason.

I have changed the world.

Yes, sir. Changed it.

Here is the entire new process. I use two programs. One paid and one free. They are: PkgImage and Composer. Here is the step by step. It's not fun.

Creating deployable OSX images using pkgimage and Composer

Goals: Create a easy to deploy and maintain OSX image using either externally booted drive or NetBoot using a remote server. This will include creating modular updates and application packages created with the use of Composer from JAMF software.

1. You must an externally bootable device to install, update and test all the following images, packages, and installations. You must also have a copy of the most recent system discs provide by Apple.
2. Boot from the system disc for the system you are preparing the images on.
3. Format and Install OSX from the system discs. DO NOT BOOT from HDD after install!
4. Boot from external device and start pkgimage.
5. If you have not already done so configure pkgimage. (See pkgimage setup documentation).
6. Create an ASR image selecting the internal drive as the source.
7. Reboot system and boot system. Verify installation. Create a false user.
8. Install Office 2008 and run all updates.
9. Install Symantec 10.x and run all updates.
10. Start the Composer application (External HDD > Applications > Composer)
11. Select Software under PREINSTALLED and select the Office 2008 template.
12. Select Build Package.
13. Remove any reference to the user in the built out package. (Under user)
14. Save package in the pkg folder for pkgimage.
15. Select Software under PREINSTALLED and select the Symantec Antivirus 10.x template.
16. Select Build Package.
17. Remove any reference to the user in the built out package. (Under user)
18. Save package in the pkg folder for pkgimage.
19. Restart system and boot from External HDD.
20. Load pkgimag. Select config at the top and select Office 2008 package and the Symantec Antivirus 10.x package.
21. Under base image select the name of your base image.
22. Name your config and save it.
23. Select Refresh at the top. Then select the your Target drive and the Config file you created.
24. Apply Image.
25. Boot system and verify build.
26. Run System updates.
27. Start Composer and select New & Modified Snapshot
28. Name the package (IE…. Safari_4.02_update).
29. Let composer run.Deselect all Software Updates except the update listed for that package.
30. Creating deployable cont.
31. Install the update and restart if need.
32. Load Composer and select build package (in the lower right corner).
33. Let Composer run.
34. After it’s completed repeat the steps for each update.
35. All packages must be in the pkg folder of pkgimage folder of the server.
36. Now, install iLife 09
37. Run all updates for iLife 09
38. Run Composer and click Software under PREINSTALLED and select iLife ’09
39. Allow Composer to build the package.
40. Remove any reference to the user in the built out package (Under user)
41. Boot back into the system and run Composer
42. Select New and Modified under New Packages
43. Let it run the first snapshot
44. After the snapshot is run Run Software Updates
45. Install all updates except any Java Updates, Firmware updates, or Digital Camera Updates
46. After these are installed and the system reboots load Composer again and select Create Package
47. Transfer all packages to pkg folder under Images
48. Boot into the external and verify the packages by applying the images with pkgimage.

InstaDMG:

1. Downloaded InstaDMG placing the folder (and keeping the structure of it's subdirectories) in the root of the drive.

2. Read all the documentation. 

3. Created a BaseOS image from the system disc of a Macbook (Late 2008) Leopard Version 10.5.5

a. Open DiskUtil and selected New Image source is the DVD and Target was root of system drive. (Read-Only)

b. Renamed BaseOS and placed in subdirectory \InstallerFiles\BaseOS\ of InstaDMG folder.

4. Prepared Updates - Complete list of updates here. Very helpful for tracking them. 

a. Downloaded Update 10.5.6 and opened dmg and pulled out mpkg placing in subdirectory \InstallerFiles\BaseUpdates\ of InstaDMG folder

b. Downloaded rest of updates needed and placed .pkg(s) in same subdirectory.

5. Prepared Office 2008 and Symantec - COMING SOON

In the beginning...

Okay, sigh....

Goals: 

1. Create CLEAN, untouched OSX images

a. Able to update without recreating

b. Able to customize without rewriting

2. Deploy using NetBoot/Multicasting

Tools:

1. InstaDMG - Modular OS X creation toolset

2. Iceberg - Package creation tool (Creates packages from .app(s))

3. CarbonCopyCloner - Single system Image to System deployment

4. DeployStudio - Deployment solution for localized or netboot/multicast image deployment

Notes: 

Image creation is the most intensive learning curve. Apple scripting and bash will be crucial.