Apple Remote Desktop Help
Index

# Creating a Custom Client Installer

To install the Apple Remote Desktop client software on computers, you use the administrator application, Remote Desktop, to create a custom client installer. The custom client installer not only installs the Apple Remote Desktop system software, but can create user names and passwords on the client computer with their Apple Remote Desktop privileges already assigned. You'll use an assistant to create a custom client installer package. Any values set in the custom installer will apply to all the computers that receive the installation.

While creating a custom installer, you will have a chance to create new Apple Remote Desktop administrator user names with passwords, and automatically set Apple Remote Desktop access privileges and preferences.

WARNING: Custom installer packages that create user names contain sensitive password data. Take care to store and transmit such custom installers securely.

1. Open Remote Desktop.
2. Choose File > Create Client Installer.

   The Custom Installer Setup Assistant appears.

3. Choose to create a custom installer and click Continue.

   If you choose not to create a custom installer, you can create a basic installer that sets no preferences on the client computer.

4. Click Continue to begin creating a custom installer.
5. Choose whether to start Remote Desktop sharing at system startup.

   This changes the setting found in the Sharing pane of System Preferences.

6. Choose whether to hide or show the Apple Remote Desktop menu bar icon.
7. Click Continue.
8. Choose whether to create a new user for Apple Remote Desktop login. Click Continue.

   A new user account can be created to grant Apple Remote Desktop administrator privileges. Creating a new user account does not overwrite existing user accounts or change existing user passwords.

   If you choose not to create a new user account, skip to step 10 after clicking Continue.

9. Add a new user by clicking Add and filling in the appropriate information.

   Click OK after adding each user, and click Continue when you're ready to go on.

10. Choose whether to assign Apple Remote Desktop administrator access privileges to Directory Services groups.

    If you choose to do so, select "Enable directory-based administration."

    See Apple Remote Desktop Administrator Access Using Directory Services for more information on using this method to grant Apple Remote Desktop administrator access.

11. Choose whether to assign Apple Remote Desktop administrator access privileges to specific users. Click Continue.

    If you choose not to assign administrator access privileges, skip to step 14.

12. Click Add to designate a user to receive Apple Remote Desktop access privileges.
13. Provide the user's short name and set the privileges as desired.

    Click OK after each user, and click Continue when you're ready to go on.

14. Choose whether to allow temporary guest control by requesting permission on the client computers.

    See Removing or Disabling Apple Remote Desktop for more information.

15. Choose whether to allow non-Apple VNC viewers to control the client computers, and click Continue.

    See Virtual Network Computing Access for more information.

16. If desired, select and enter information in any or all of the four System Data fields.

    This information appears in Apple Remote Desktop System Overview reports. For example, you can enter an inventory number for the computer, a serial number, or a user's name and telephone number.

17. Click Continue.
18. Select a location for the installer.
19. Click Continue to create the installer.

    An installer metapackage (.mpkg file) is created in the designated location.

20. Click Done.