| Enabling the NetBoot server service requires a variety of server configuration changes. The Server Admin tool performs these changes for you, but you must enable a few related services in order for NetBoot to function properly. For example, Network File System (NFS) and (for diskless NetBoot support) the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) and services must be running in order for you to share your NetBoot images. The NFS service automatically starts when you configure NetBoot via the Server Admin utility, but you must enable the AFP service manually. (Refer to Chapter 5, "File Sharing," for instructions on how to enable the AFP service.) A properly configured Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server must also be available on your network in order for the NetBoot service to work. For many installations, the Mac OS X Server will act as the DHCP server. (Refer to Chapter 6, "Network Services Options," for instructions on how to configure the DHCP service.) What If I Already Have Another DHCP Server? Many networks have other devices that provide DHCP services. You can still use the NetBoot service in these types of network environments. In previous versions of Mac OS X Server, the DHCP service needed to be running on your NetBoot server because it was responsible for providing the Boot Service Discovery Protocol (BSDP), which allows client computers to automatically find it over the network. However, the DHCP service doesn't have to be running to use NetBoot. To prevent the DHCP service from providing configuration information to the network, choose DHCP from the Computers & Services list and then deselect the Enable check box (Figure 11.35). Figure 11.35. Deselect the DHCP settings' Enable check box.
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To enable the NetBoot service 1. | Launch Server Admin located in /Applications/Server, authenticate as the administrator if necessary, select NetBoot from the Computers & Services list, click Settings, and then click the General tab (Figure 11.36). Figure 11.36. Select NetBoot from the service list, click the Settings tab, and then click the General tab.
| 2. | From the network port list, select the check box(es) next to the network interface(s) on which you want to enable the NetBoot service. | 3. | From the volume list, select the check box(es) next to the volume(s) where you want to store the images and the client data. Click Save. You must choose at least one volume for each column. The more volumes you enable, the more responsive your server will be. | 4. | In the Server Admin Toolbar, click Start Service. The Server Admin utility will configure the NetBoot server, share points, and user accounts. | 5. | Populate any NetBoot share points you have with .nbi image files. Refer to the earlier tasks on image creation and image management for more details. |
| | 6. | Click the Images tab and in the Enable column, select the check boxes next to the images you want to make available to NetBoot (Figure 11.37). Figure 11.37. In the Enable column, select the check boxes next to the images you want to make available to NetBoot.
| 7. | When you've finished making changes, click Save. |
Tips You may have to restart the Mac OS X Server in order for NetBoot to function properly. If you're experiencing problems with the NetBoot service, check the log file for error messages (Figure 11.38). You can view the NetBoot log file in the Server Admin utility by selecting NetBoot from the Computers & Services list and then clicking Log. Figure 11.38. To view the NetBoot log file, select NetBoot from the Computers & Services list and then click the Log button.
To NetBoot across network subnets, check out the NetBoot Across Subnets utility created by Mike Bombich (www.bombich.com).
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