kickstart

[Maaz]

Hi Dear Gurus

I have configured the nfs server as a Installation server, and have sucessfully Installed OS via nfs server. Now I also want to use kickstart file to automate the installation process. The kickstart file is also on same nfs server.

On Nfs server
-----------
#ls /install/
ks.cfg RPMS ....

After booting the client from cd 1, I want to know that what to type on client so that the kickstart file will be used ? I mean what command I have to issue so that client will use kickstart file on nfs server?

Regards
Maaz

[Steven E. Protter · Accepted solution]

Shalom Maaz,

If you have done a kickstart install already, there should be an annaconda.cfg file on the server.

Just copy it and re-use it.

The key is here:

Instead of askmethod at the boot prompt:

linux ks=nfs:192.168.1.100:/kickstart/ks.cfg

Just give a relavent path to the kickstart file on the nfs server and it should all hum through without any interaction.

SEP

[Ivan Ferreira]

You should configure a dhcp server so you can do multiple clients installations at the same time, otherwise you must manually set the ip address or install one by one, and after reboot, change the ip address.

Using dhcp, you can also specify the kickstart file to use in the configuration file, and you just need to run:

linux ks

Sample configuration file:

ddns-update-style none;
option domain-name "redhat.com.py";
option routers 192.168.24.1;
option broadcast-address 192.168.24.255;
subnet 192.168.24.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {}
filename â /RedHat/kickstart/â ;
next-server nfsinstall.redhat.com.py;

# host pc01 {
# hardware ethernet 00:c0:df:0d:0c:fe;
# fixed-address 192.168.24.10;
# option host-name "pc01.data.edu.py";
# filename "/RedHat/kickstart/ks.cfg";
#}

[Alexander Chuzhoy]

After successful linux installation there's a file under /root directory called anaconda-ks.cfg, which is a kickstart of your installation.The only thing to change is the partitioning stuff.Simply remove the remarks (#) if you want to use the same partitioning.


If you wish to boot from CD and then specify kickstart file for installation-I'd go with Steven's suggestion.

You can also create a setup in which you can boot with your NIC (PXE enabled) and have your unattended installation.
If you want to know how to create PXE server-follow this link:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00257674/c00257674.pdf
Best regards.

[orven]

Hi Guys!
this is a cool discussion. What about for Suse.

- What is the corresponding kickstart file that I can use in DHCP and where I can find it? I went to Progra files- altitiris- express.....bin -osconfig-sles9sp1- and it is empty..

on my NFS I'm done setting up and copying the installation files..

Please if you can point me where to go.
More power

[Ivan Ferreira]

For SUSE, you can use Autoyast:

http://www.novell.com/products/desktop/features/autoyast.html
http://www.suse.com/~ug/