You can set the startup disk on any client computer. Choose a volume on a local bootable device or any available NetBoot volume.

This can be helpful for diagnosing problems. For example, you could start up a computer using a server-based NetBoot image that’s configured for troubleshooting. When you’re finished, reset the startup disk to the original boot volume.

The startup disk must have a valid operating system installed on it. To set the startup volume to a local hard disk for multiple computers, use the same volume for all computers. Alternatively, you can set the startup disk to a NetBoot volume provided by OS X Server. You can start up multiple clients from a NetBoot server. NetBoot is only supported over an Ethernet connection.

1. In the Remote Desktop window, select a computer list. Then select one or more computers.

2. Choose Manage > Set Startup Disk.

   The list shows the client’s local volumes, and if available, a custom NetBoot server item, and a list of NetBoot and NetInstall servers available on the local subnet.

3. Select a volume by doing one of the following:

   • To choose a local volume on the client, select Hard Disk, click Edit, then enter the desired volume name.

   • To choose a custom NetBoot server volume, enter the server IP address or fully qualified domain name, and the NetBoot volume name.

4. Select Restart When Done.

   You must have administrator privileges on the client computer.

   The client computer restarts after having its startup volume set.

5. Click Set.

You can rename a client computer.

You can rename multiple computers with the same name followed by a number. This is useful for differentiating client computers after a clean system installation. Renaming computers doesn’t change the local hostname or the DNS name.

1. In the Remote Desktop window, select a computer list. Then select one or more computers.

2. Choose Manage > Rename Computers.

3. Enter the new computer name.

4. Select “Append a unique number for each computer.”

   This option appends a unique number to the end of the computer name.

5. Click Rename.

You can turn the audio on and off for client computers.

You can turn the audio on and off for client computers. For example, you can silence a lab of computers playing music, or turn on audio on a single remote computer.

Turning computer audio on or off requires the use of AppleScript and the UNIX command osascript. For information, see Execute commands remotely.

1. In the Remote Desktop window, select a computer list. Then select one or more computers.

2. Choose Manage > Send UNIX Command.

3. Choose a UNIX template.

   For information, see Execute commands remotely.

4. Click the Template pop-up menu and choose Miscellaneous > Volume On or Miscellaneous > Volume Off.

5. Click Send.

You can change the settings and options in the Energy Saver pane of System Preferences. For example, you can set all the clients to sleep at the same time or set clients to wake for Remote Desktop administration.

Change Energy Saver preferences using the UNIX command systemsetup. For information, see About systemsetup.

1. In the Remote Desktop window, select a computer list. Then select one or more computers.

2. Choose Manage > Send UNIX Command.

3. Select any of the following Energy Saver items from the System Setup template:

   • System Sleep Time

   • Display Sleep Time

   • Hard Disk Sleep Time

   • Wake On Network Access

   • Restart After Power Failure

4. After selecting a command, edit the appropriate parameters shown in the window.

5. Click Send.

You can change, enable, or disable a remote computer’s sharing preference.

Set the remote login sharing preference using the UNIX command systemsetup. For information, see About systemsetup.

1. In the Remote Desktop window, select a computer list. Then select one or more computers.

2. Choose Manage > Send UNIX Command.

3. Do one of the following:

   • Choose System Setup > Remote Login (SSH) from the Template pop-up menu, then set the login to on or off.

   • Enter the following command:

     systemsetup -setremotelogin (on | off)

     Under “Run command as,” select “User,” then enter “root”.

4. Click Send.