Selecting a Network Disk Image Source with Mac Disk Image Utility

When it comes to selecting a network disk image source, there are certain options and considerations that users of Mac OS X Server v10.6 should keep in mind. Although this version of the server supports hosting images from previous versions of Mac OS, the 10.6 version of the System Image Utility (SIU) has some limitations when it comes to creating network disk images.

Specifically, SIU in Mac OS X v10.6 can only create network disk images of Mac OS X v10.6.x or Mac OS X Server v10.6.x. This means that users who are looking to deploy system images from earlier versions of the operating system will need to use a different method.

However, even if you don't intend to use the NetBoot service, SIU can still be used as an automated tool for creating full system images to be deployed using another mechanism. One of the new features introduced in SIU with Mac OS X v10.6 is the NetRestore network disk image type. This feature allows users to create and deploy system images, making it easier to automate the deployment process.

While SIU is primarily designed to facilitate the NetBoot service, its capabilities make it a valuable tool for creating deployable system images. The Server Admin Tools v10.6 installer can be found on the Mac OS X Server installation discs, or it can be downloaded from the Apple website. By using this utility, users of Mac OS X Server v10.6 can easily create and manage network disk images, making it easier to deploy and maintain their systems.

Mac disk image utility