NetBooting the Client

After all the hard work involved in setting up your NetBoot server, it's time to test that sucker! There are two primary methods for configuring client computers to boot from your NetBoot server: You can select NetBoot at client startup or from the Startup Disk system preference pane. Selecting NetBoot at startup is only temporary, whereas setting the NetBoot option from Startup Disk is permanent. Also, selecting NetBoot on a lab full of computers allows that entire lab to boot off one image on your server.

To select NetBoot at startup:

1.	Do one of the following: Hold down the N key at startup. Hold down the Option key at startup to invoke the Startup Manager. Select the NetBoot Globe icon, and click the Continue button.
2.	Verify that you're booting from your NetBoot server by observing the Globe icon against the gray background (Figure 11.70). Figure 11.70. Look for the NetBoot startup globe icon.

NetBoot Client Compatibility

Mac OS X Server version 10.3 and higher only support NetBoot version 2. Apple computers with Firmware version 4.1.7 or newer are compatible with NetBoot version 2. Computers capable of using Firmware 4.1.7 or later include:

• G4 and G5 computers of any kind, except the very first G4 PowerMac

• All iBooks

• Slot-loading iMacs

• PowerBook G3s with FireWire

To select NetBoot from Startup Disk:

1.	Open the System Preferences by choosing Apple Menu > System Preferences.
2.	Click the Startup Disk icon (Figure 11.71). Figure 11.71. Click the Startup Disk icon. After a few moments, your individual NetBoot images appear in the Startup Disk window.
3.	In the Startup Disk window, select the desired image (Figure 11.72). Figure 11.72. In the Startup Disk selection dialog, select the desired image.
4.	Click the Restart button.

Tips

• NetBoot clients require 128 MB of RAM and 100Base-T Ethernet connectivity. As always, configurations with more RAM or higher-speed network connectivity will have better performance.

• You can't NetBoot over a wireless network or modem connection.