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Chapter 1 User Management Overview 21
Server Preferences
If you use the standard or workgroup configuration of Mac OS X Server, you can use
Server Preferences to configure key features of collaboration and file services. Its
streamlined approach allows novice system administrators to quickly configure a server
without requiring much technical knowledge.
You can also use Server Preferences to configure user and group accounts (such as
setting passwords, enabling services, and assigning group membership). However, you
can’t use Server Preferences to manage preferences.
For more information, see Getting Started and Server Preferences Help.
NetBoot
Mac OS X computers can start up from a network-based NetBoot image, providing
quick and easy configuration of department, classroom, and individual systems, as well
as web and application servers, throughout a network.
When you update a NetBoot image, all computers using NetBoot have instant access to
the new configuration. To customize the computer setup for different groups of clients,
you can set up multiple NetBoot images. These features provide quick setup and a
customized user experience.
NetBoot simplifies administration and reduces the support normally associated with
large-scale deployments of network-based Macintosh computers. It’s ideal for an
organization with client computers that are identically configured. For example,
NetBoot can be a powerful solution for a data center that needs multiple, identically
configured web and application servers.
With NetBoot, you can quickly configure and update client computers by updating a
NetBoot image stored on the server. NetBoot images contain the operating system and
application folders for all clients on the server, so that changes made on the server are
reflected on the clients when they restart. Systems that are compromised or otherwise
altered can be instantly restored by restarting them.
You use System Image Utility to create and modify NetBoot images, and then use
NetBoot to deploy NetBoot images.
For more information about these tools, or about installing an operating system over a
network, see System Imaging and Software Update Administration.
NetInstall
NetInstall is a centralized software installation service that lets you use installation
images to selectively and automatically install, restore, or upgrade network-based
Macintosh systems. Those images can contain the latest version of Mac OS X, a
software update, site-licensed or custom applications, or configuration scripts.