Enabling Diskless Mode

To increase NetBoot system performance, Mac OS X client computers store temporary cache and swap files, sometimes called shadow files, on their local hard disks. This performance-enhancing feature of NetBoot can be considered a limitation, because it doesn't allow for a truly diskless client computer. This feature also prevents you from using certain install and repair utilities on the local client's hard disk when you're using a NetBoot server. To remedy these situations, an optional diskless image mode disables shadow files.

To enable diskless mode:

1.	Choose /Applications/Server/Server Admin (Figure 11.57). Figure 11.57. Choose /Applications/Server/Server Admin. The Server Admin utility opens.
2.	Connect and authenticate to the server you intend to configure (Figure 11.58). Figure 11.58. Authenticate as your server administrator.
3.	Select NetBoot from the service list, click the Settings button, and then click the Images tab (Figure 11.59). Figure 11.59. Select NetBoot from the service list, click the Settings button, and then click the Images tab.
4.	In the Diskless column, select the check box(es) next to the boot image(s) (Figure 11.60). Figure 11.60. In the Diskless column, select the check box(es) next to the boot image(s).
5.	Click the Save button.

Tip

• You can't enable diskless operation for install images because they're specifically designed to install data on the client's local hard disk.