Autoyast installation using a network installation source

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Intro

AutoYaST is used for automated installations. One of options is to use files located on file server in LAN

Server Setup

• DHCP

Create a file that has similiar lines to this:

Example /etc/dhcpd.conf

        # dhcpd.conf
        option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;
        option broadcast-address 192.168.1.255;
        option domain-name "test";
        option domain-name-servers 192.168.1.1;
        option routers 192.168.1.1;
        ddns-update-style ad-hoc;
        default-lease-time 14400;

        allow booting;
        allow bootp;

        next-server 192.168.1.1;

        #Add a line for all other interfaces
        subnet 172.16.0.0 netmask 255.255.0.0 {
        }

        subnet 192.168.1.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
          range 192.168.1.10 192.168.1.254;
          default-lease-time 14400;
          max-lease-time 172800;
        }

• TFTP

You will need to setup tftp via xinetd

Example /etc/xinetd.d/tftp

        service tftp
        {
         socket_type     = dgram
         protocol        = udp
         wait            = yes
         user            = root
         server          = /usr/sbin/in.tftpd
         server_args     =  -s /tftp
         disable         = no
        }

Note the server_args line, here you would put the path to the directory you wish to serve the tftp files. The files required for the tftp portion to function are: (in the tftp directory itself)

• pxelinux.0 - from the syslinux project
• linux - any kernel, preferably one from the distro you are using to install. Can be found in the Suse10.1 ISO in the directory /boot/i386/loader/
• initrd - can be found along side the kernel.. any properly setup initrd could potentially work
• message - cutomize to your taste, isn't necessary but looks pretty
• pxelinux.cfg/default - in the directory "pxelinux.cfg" the file "default" should exist. It tells what is available to boot etc. Use this to send custom flags to initrd to boot your system as desired.

Example tftp/pxelinux.cfg/default

        default network

        label network
          kernel linux
          append initrd=initrd install=nfs://192.168.1.1:/suse10.1/ server=192.168.1.1 serverdir=/suse10.1/ vnc=1 vncpassword=install8  autoyast=nfs://192.168.1.1/suse10.1

        implicit	1
        display		message
        prompt		1
        timeout		200

• NFS

Export the directory with the CDs/DVD files. I simply mounted the ISO DVD itself and copied all the files to the directory /suse10.1

Example /etc/exports (generic)

 /suse10.1       	*(ro,sync)
 /your/home/directory	*(rw,sync,no_root_squash)

Client

You should only need to some how make the system boot from the network. This can be done several ways. The idea behind this project was to show that installation could be done without endlessly inserting media into the computer, therefore I recommend using the computer's BIOS network boot. If this is not available (unlikely) then you can make a boot floppy or CD from http://rom-o-matic.net/

AutoYAST

Yast (when running on a installed system) can be used to setup the auto install script. This is an xml formatted file that describes to the installer how to do any portion of the install process. To invoke this option in yast2 the command: (note this must be run as root)

 # yast2 autoyast

Once finished with the configuration process, save the file on the NFS shared directory. This script can be autoinvoked if you pass the initrd a special flag. To ensure that the installer doesn't clobber the partions unessecarily it is wise to put 'yes' for "Confirm Installation?" under System->General Options.

Example flag to invoke autoyast

 autoyast=http://192.168.1.1/suse10.1

Putting it together

So now we have everything setup, lets get the show on the road. Boot the computer, initiate boot from network. If you end up with a menu asking you to select which installation your would like, the dhcpd, tftp servers are for the most part functioning correctly. Select an installation and grab a cup of coffee while autoyast does it's magic.

Useful Links

http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Network-Install-HOWTO-5.html

http://docs.sun.com/source/817-5625-10/Linux_PXE_boot.html

http://www.math.ucla.edu/computing/docindex/autoyast2-html-95/invoking_autoinst.html

http://chemfacilities.chem.indiana.edu/itg/inc/wiki/os/linex/295.html

http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/feature/15568.html

http://rom-o-matic.net/

http://frank.harvard.edu/~coldwell/diskless/

http://www.suse.com/~ug/autoyast_doc/rulesandclass.html