Firewire Transfer - Disk Cloning?

[pulsewidth947]

Hi

I've got to reinstall OS X (10.2), and various programs (Photoshop, Office, etc) on 20 Macs at work. Is it possible for me to install everything on one Mac then start up the Mac in Firewire mode, connect it to another Mac and copy the contents onto a removable drive?

The reason I want to do this is it easily and quickly restore the Macs to their factory fresh installation, with all the security updates etc, but some are too far a distance to connect directly with my firewire cable.

If this wont work is there another easy and fast method to do this? I have these 20 Macs to reinstall and configure, plus wipe the Xserve, then PAT test about 50 pieces of gear then clean everything - so as you can see I have a lot to do in not much time..

Thanks!

 

[Ti_Poussin]

Good news, yes that possible, but you have to go by command line or use carbon copy cloner http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
The command lines have the following procedure:
1-ensure that ownership on the the drive are use, get info of the drive there's a checkbox.
2-Repair permission before (just a good idea for the first copy)
3-Unlock any files of the original or use this command sudo chflags -R noschg,nouchg / (haven't use this one yet, I don't lock my files)
4-Copy files using ditto command (Change Backup for the new volumes name use non spacing name for easier command):
* sudo ditto -rsrc /Applications /Volumes/Backup/Applications
* sudo ditto -rsrc /Developer /Volumes/Backup/Developer
* sudo ditto -rsrc /Library /Volumes/Backup/Library
* sudo ditto -rsrc /System /Volumes/Backup/System
* sudo ditto -rsrc /Users /Volumes/Backup/Users
* sudo ditto -rsrc /private /Volumes/Backup/private
* sudo ditto -rsrc /usr /Volumes/Backup/usr
* sudo ditto -rsrc /bin /Volumes/Backup/bin
* sudo ditto -rsrc /sbin /Volumes/Backup/sbin
* sudo ditto -rsrc /mach_kernel /Volumes/Backup/mach_kernel
* sudo ditto -rsrc /.hidden /Volumes/Backup/.hidden
5-Recreat symbolic link
* cd /Volumes/Backup
* ln -s private/etc etc
* ln -s private/var var
* ln -s private/cores cores
* ln -s private/tmp tmp
* mkdir dev Volumes Network
6-Rebless the system (OSX and OS9)
* sudo bless -folder /Volumes/Backup/System/Library/CoreServices
* sudo bless -folder9 /Volumes/Backup/System\ Folder

 

[pulsewidth947]

So I'd need to do that to copy it onto the external HD then again to copy it onto the new system?

Or do I just connect the HD and pretend that its the other mac?

 

[jeremy.king]

Why not just use OS X Server NetBoot ?

 

[pulsewidth947]

Why not just use OS X Server NetBoot ?

Hey thats not a bad idea you know. Does this allow you to actually install over network, or only boot? The problem with booting would be we only have 100Mbit switches and 20 Macs all loading from the server at once (as well as loading users profiles) will put immense strain on the server. Not to mention the speed issue of running old iMac DVs and iMac G4s, which already take a few minutes to start up

I've just read a pdf on network install and it looks like what I want actually. I like the idea of making one change to the server image (e.g. the latest software update) and it getting installed on all my macs (kinda what i do with ARD 1.2, but that doesnt always work right)

Thanks for your suggestions fellas!

 

[pulsewidth947]

Setting Up New Computers

Network Install can also be used to configure new computers right from the box. Using the Server Admin tool, you can configure a default network-based disk image with appropriate system software, applications, preferences, and libraries. To start up a new or repurposed system from the Network Install image, plug in the power cord and Ethernet cable and hold down the “n” key when you turn it on. The system boots, connects to the network, finds the Network Install image, and installs the contents on its hard drive. When you restart, the system will be set up according to your specifications, without inserting a single disk.

Woohoo! Another trick in my lazy man book