Installing Mac OS X 10.7.x Server on an erased hard drive using DeployStudio and InstallLion.pkg

As previously described, you can use DeployStudio and InstallLion.pkg to clean install Mac OS X 10.7.x on a Mac. For those who need the same capabilities to install Mac OS X Server 10.7.x, you can use the same methodology to build a workflow that installs Mac OS X Server, assuming that you have access to a Mac Mini Server.

If you do have access to a Mini Server, you can download an InstallESD disk image using Apple Internet Recovery using the procedure described here at AFP548.com. The downloaded InstallESD.dmg will include all of the needed packages to install Mac OS X Server. Once you have that all-important disk image, see below the jump for the procedure.

Prerequisites:

The latest available InstallESD.dmg for a Mac Mini Server.

Mac running 10.6.8 and higher or 10.7.x (to build the InstallLion.pkg installer on.)

DeployStudio rc132 or higher running on another Mac (other Mac does not have to be running 10.7.x)

DeployStudio rc132 boot set running Mac OS X 10.6.8 and higher or 10.7.x (can be NetBoot, or using a Firewire/USB drive.) Boot set needs to be created with Python support enabled.

Creating the 10.7 Server automated installer package with InstallLion.pkg

1. Download the latest version of InstallLion.pkg to your Mac.

2. Run the following command to create a basic uncustomized installation package (see the documentation on how to create a customized installer):

sudo cp /path/to/InstallESD.dmg /path/to/InstallLion.pkg/Contents/Resources/.

3. Run the getIncompatibleAppListPkg tool (see the ===Customizing the install=== section of the InstallLion README file for details.)

4. Copy your newly-modified InstallLion.pkg installer to your DeployStudio server.

Putting it into a DeployStudio workflow

1. Set up a new package in DeployStudio for InstallLion.pkg (if you’re new to DeployStudio, how to do this is covered on page 66 of the DeployStudio Guide.) In the case of my example, I’m calling it Install Mac OS X Server 10.7.3.

2. Set up a new DeployStudio workflow with one package, configured to install Mac OS X Server 10.7.3. I did not check the box to set it as a Postponed Installation, so that the DeployStudio boot set would do the install rather than doing it on first boot.

Running the automated installation

1. Boot the Mac to DeployStudio.

2. Log in and select the Mac OS X Server 10.7.3 Install workflow.

3. Select the drive you want to install Mac OS X 10.7.x onto as the target volume.

4. Wait for DeployStudio to finish deploying the package to the Mac and hit Quit when prompted. Your Mac should reboot at this point.

5. If all goes well, your Mac should install a new copy of Mac OS X Server 10.7.3 and set up a Recovery HD partition on the designated drive without needing any further intervention on your part.

6. Once Mac OS X Server has been installed, configure it as needed.