I apologize if this is convoluted. I've tried so many different ways of getting this to work that I'm getting them all mixed up.
I feel your pain, your post explains everything that I have just gone through and hoping for an answer to this question.
Never-the-less, Deploy Studio has released 1.6.17. http://www.deploystudio.com/downloads/deploystudio-server-1-6-17
Only Problem
If you are not using SSL for your Deploy Studio you will run into this problem. With Deploy Studio Assistant it will not connect to your Deploy Studio Server. Have a look at this Deploy Studio forum fix. I tried the solution to add the text at the end of the Info.plist file but it didn't work for me, maybe someone else will have more luck. I just did what was suggested by the OP:
- Uninstall 1.6.17
- Reinstall 1.6.16
- Enable SSL with DeployStudio Assistant - Set up a DeployStudio Server
- Install 1.6.17 over the top of 1.6.16
http://www.deploystudio.com/Forums/viewtopic.php?id=7465
With this I was able to NetBoot a Mac without the Kernel Panic!
Good Luck