I need to distribute an image to 60 iMac lab computers... best way to do this is...?

[MrEgo]

In Windows, I use Windows Deployment Services to multicast an entire lab in 20 minutes, but what options do I have for these iMacs that we just bought?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kaido]

What version of OS X, and how sophisticated was your WDS push? (i.e. WOL to PXE to master image + MSI's via GPO?)

 

[MrEgo]

What version of OS X, and how sophisticated was your WDS push? (i.e. WOL to PXE to master image + MSI's via GPO?)

These are new iMacs - they have Lion. 10.7.3, I believe.

This deployment is going to be a one-time thing. It will not be very often that I would ever have to clone another iMac since we are 95% Windows.

For WDS, I'm not using Wake on Lan, but I am using PXE booting. All of the software applications are included in the software image, so I'm not deploying anything through GPO (yet.)

Also, I'm wondering about Final Cut X and Compressor. These apps are available on the App Store, and they have unique redemption codes. Should I NOT install these on the base image before I clone, and just install them after I get the base image loaded onto the other iMacs?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

OS X Server, StarDeploy, NetBoot.

You shouldn't install anything on the image you don't have a site license for.

(Assuming you have an OS X server already if you're doing managed accounts/logins, right?)

 

[MrEgo]

OS X Server, StarDeploy, NetBoot.

You shouldn't install anything on the image you don't have a site license for.

(Assuming you have an OS X server already if you're doing managed accounts/logins, right?)

No, we do not have an OS X server. People login with active directory credentials.

 

[Ka0t1x]

Without OSX Server, not much of a centralized way to do this.

You can install OSX on a FW800 drive (Not USB). Then you can copy your image file into the desktop/whereever of that OSX install.

On iMac:
Plug in FWDrive.
Hold Option (on startup, before Apple logo) to boot from it.
Use Disk Utility to 'Restore' the image onto the hard-drive.
Shouldn't take long.


Not sure about Lion Server, but I think it still does it..you can get the Server on one of the iMacs. At work I think they do 20-40 MacBooks at a time.
Edit:
http://www.apple.com/support/lionserver/systemimaging/

 

[fr]

I use DeployStudio. It is fairly easy to use and set up. I was up and running in about 3-4 hours after first hearing about it. You can have the whole lab imaged and running in a day. It does require Mac OS X Server though. I think you can get Lion Server Tools for $19.99 and make one of the iMacs your server.