Restoring Items From a Master Copy

Your client computers can restore non-system software from a master copy. This is helpful if you want to make sure each client computer has the same software. You can automate the software restore process by using the instructions for in Automating Functions.

You may want to start by creating a disk image that contains the Mac OS X applications and items you want to copy. Alternatively, you can copy files from any local disk, such as a hard disk, CD, disk partition, or other disk.

The Copy Items command does not copy system software that is hidden (that is, not visible in the Finder). It can copy the Applications folder, Library folder, and Users folder, as well as any folders at the root of the hard disk that were created by the computer's administrator user.

Important: You cannot use the Copy Items feature to copy Mac OS X system software to client computers.

1. Make a master copy of the volume that has the files to be restored.

   You can use any volume, such as a spare hard disk, a CD, or a mounted disk image file (.dmg).

2. Mount the master copy volume on the administrator computer.

   Master copy volumes must be local volumes, and not mounted from over a network.

3. Open Remote Desktop.
4. Select a computer list.
5. Select one or more computers in the Remote Desktop window.
6. Choose Manage > Copy Items.
7. To confirm which computers you've selected, click View Target Computers.

   A drawer opens listing the computers to receive this command.

8. Add the master copy volume to the Copy Items list.
9. If you want to schedule this event for another time, or set it to repeat, click the Schedule button.

   See Scheduled Tasks for more information about scheduling events.

10. Click Copy.
11. If a message asks if you want to replace some items, click Replace.