Net Boot - Process

Process

A disk image with a copy of Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server, Mac OS 9, or Mac OS 8 is created using System Image Utility and is stored on a server, typically Mac OS X Server. Clients receive this image across a network using many popular protocols including but not limited to: HTTPS, AFP, TFTP, NFS, and multicast Apple Software Restore (ASR). Server-side NetBoot image can boot entire machines, although NetBoot is more commonly used for operating system and software deployment, somewhat similar to Norton Ghost.

To NetBoot a client machine, hold the "N" key as the Mac boots, or select the NetBoot server using the Startup Disk preference pane (Mac OS X) or control panel (Mac OS 8 and 9). Alternatively, New World Macs can be started with the Command (⌘), Option (⌥), O and F keys pressed to enter the Open Firmware prompt. Once in the Open Firmware one can tell the client to attempt then NetBoot procedure by entering "boot enet:0" and pressing the return key.

Client machines first request network configuration information through DHCP, then a list of boot images and servers with BSDP and then proceed to download images with protocols mentioned above.

Both Intel and PowerPC-based servers can serve images for Intel as well as PowerPC-based clients.

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