Category Icon   Creating a Custom Client Installer

To install the Apple Remote Desktop (ARD) client software on computers, you use the ARD administrator application, Remote Desktop, to create a custom client installer. The custom client installer not only installs the ARD system software, but can create users on the client computer with their ARD privileges already assigned. You'll use an assistant to create a custom client installer. 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 ARD administrator login names with passwords, and automatically set ARD access privileges and preferences.

  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 (for Mac OS X 10.3 or later) or the Remote Desktop pane of System Preference (for Mac OS X 10.2).

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

    New users can be used to grant ARD administrator privileges. Creating a new user does not overwrite existing users or change existing user passwords.

    If you choose not to create a new user, 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 ARD administrative access privileges to Directory Services groups.

    If you choose to do so, select "Set authorized groups to." Edit the groups, if necessary.

    See ARD Administrative Access Using Directory Services for more information on using this method to grant ARD administrative access.

  11. Choose whether to assign ARD administrative access privileges to specific users. Click Continue.

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

  12. Click Add to designate a user to receive ARD 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 ARD Guest Access for more information.

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

    See Virtual Network Computing (VNC) 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 ARD 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. Choose whether to allow OpenWBEM tools to request data from the client computers.

    See OpenWBEM Access for more information.

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

    An installer package (.pkg file) is created in the designated location.

  21. Click Done.