In addition to NetBoot, Mac OS X Server also provides NetInstall, which functions very much like NetBoot. These characteristics make NetBoot an excellent platform for computers used in classrooms, computer labs and kiosks. NetBoot delivers a consistent configuration that users can't permanently modify, and the ability for administrators to modify a NetBoot disk image that can be deployed to all NetBoot clients. The shadow file is destroyed when the computer is shut down or rebooted, so that the NetBoot client always returns to the configuration of the disk image. The shadow file allows system processes and applications that need to modify files as part of their operation to do so. Technicians can easily boot from a NetBoot image that includes various troubleshooting tools.Īll files that are created or modified during a NetBoot session - including those created or modified by users, applications or the operating system - are written to a shadow file stored either on the client's internal hard drive or on the server hosting the image. It can also provide an alternative boot mechanism if a Mac's internal hard drive fails or for troubleshooting problems. This allows consistency across large numbers of machines without software or updates having to be physically deployed on those clients. NetBoot allows Mac clients to start and run applications using a server-hosted disk image instead of a physically mounted drive.

Apple's NetBoot technology has been a staple part of Mac OS X Server since the latter's original release.

Apple netboot server