centos - Automatic OS installation Image?Kickstart?

07
2014-07
  • B.Mr.W.

    I have a few HP boxes in the data warehouse that I got the iLO (lights out) level access. What I have done:

    (1) I just installed CentOS which kernel 2.6.32-431.el6.x86_64 using virtual media, it is actually most done on the iLO control console GUI by clicking using Mouse.

    (2) Also install the "Development Tools" from the installation CD1.

    (3) Then I compiled the network driver

    (4) I also added the resolve.conf, syscfg-ethx files so I get see the outside network

    (5) start the ssh server so the external users can see it.

    I am wondering what is the easy way for me to repeat this following the recipe I put in a word document to another boxes?

    My thoughts:

    (1) Image like AMI from Amazon Web Service... (No clue how to do it)

    (2) Some automation scripting solutions form Linux - Kickstart

    However, I had a hard time even finding the kickstart program in Linux. Do I need to install it using RPM or I am not even in the ballpark.

    (3) some other magics that the community recommend :)

    Thanks a lot for any advice to this entry superuser!

    • Answers
  • bjanssen

    What you want to look at a TFTP-server and configure your clients for PXE booting. Then take a look at https://access.redhat.com/site/documentation/en-US/Red_Hat_Network_Satellite/5.3/html/Deployment_Guide/s1-provisioning-kickstarting.html which is slightly out of date but should get you going.


    • Related Question

    linux - How to kickstart Red Hat from DVD
  • pratap

    I learnt that there is a way where we can automate the installation of Red Hat using a kickstart script. However, everywhere they talk about doing that from bootable floppy image.

    I have a single DVD of Red Hat (RHEL5). Can anyone tell how can I kickstart the installation using the kickstart script, i.e., where do I place the ks.cfg file on the disk and what command should be given at the boot prompt? (Kickstart from DVD and not from any network.)

    Please suggest what I need to do to achieve the above.


    • Related Answers
  • Mikel

    Put your ks.cfg at the top level of your DVD.

    If you are using the method described at Making the Kickstart File Available and Making an Installation Boot CD-ROM, that means you should copy the ks.cfg into the isolinux folder you are using to make the CD/DVD.

    Or you can make a boot USB drive using the instructions under Alternative Boot Methods.

    Or you can put it anywhere you like and type linux ks=/path/to/ks.cfg at the boot prompt.
    There are several options for /path/to/ks.cfg, including HTTP, NFS, CD/DVD, hard disk, and DHCP/TFTP. See Starting a Kickstart Installation for all the options.