Simple Guide to use Win RIS to deploy linux unattendly

[bbmak]

Hi:

Just want to contribute back to this forum by sharing my experience of using win ris to deploy linux unattendly. I try to briefly explain my process.

I tested it with the Centos 4.4 and Vmware

I put the instruction into 3 steps.

1. do everything in this guide here. It teaches you how to put the linux boot image into ris, but do not use ftp server to store your linux source file, use http server.

http://wiki.cdyne.com/index.php/PXE_Bootin...m_Microsoft_RIS

Note* I use http server, apache, for the centos source. FTP does not allow unattended setup.

I would stop right here and test the installation. If the installation fail, do not go to the 2nd step

2. create an answer file, which use the kickstart utility in linux.

The file will be save as ks.cfg

put this file in the centos source file where you can browse this file via the http browser.

You can make your own answer file with the kickstart utility.

my ks.cfg as an example

#Generated by Kickstart Configurator
#platform=x86, AMD64, or Intel EM64T

#System  language
lang en_US
#Language modules to install
langsupport zh_HK zh_CN zh_TW --default=en_US
#System keyboard
keyboard us
#System mouse
mouse
#Sytem timezone
timezone America/Los_Angeles
#Root password
rootpw --iscrypted $1$8PObVT6A$E/2VfrKjUGdyZ227ko0oI.
#Reboot after installation
reboot
#Install OS instead of upgrade
install
#Use Web installation
url --url http://test.bbmak.com/linux/centos
#System bootloader configuration
bootloader --location=mbr 
#Clear the Master Boot Record
zerombr yes
#Partition clearing information
clearpart --all --initlabel 
#Disk partitioning information
part /boot --fstype ext3 --size 100 --asprimary
part swap --recommended
part / --fstype ext3 --size 2048 --grow
#System authorization infomation
auth  --useshadow  --enablemd5 
#Firewall configuration
firewall --disabled 
#Do not configure XWindows
skipx
#Package install information
%packages --resolvedeps
@ base-x
@ gnome-desktop
@ editors
@ graphical-internet
@ office
@ sound-and-video
@ server-cfg
@ smb-server
@ legacy-network-server
@ development-tools
@ gnome-software-development
@ legacy-software-development
@ admin-tools
@ system-tools

3. edit the default file in pxelinux.cfg folder to add the url where you put the ks.cfg file

ks=http://test.bbmak.com/linux/centos/ks.cfg

example below

default linux
prompt 1
timeout 20
display boot.msg
F1 boot.msg
F2 options.msg
F3 general.msg
F4 param.msg
F5 rescue.msg
F7 snake.msg
label linux
  kernel vmlinuz
  append initrd=initrd.img ramdisk_size=8192 ks=http://test.bbmak.com/linux/centos/ks.cfg
label i586 
  kernel vmlzi586
  append initrd=initi586.img ramdisk_size=8192 ks=http://test.bbmak.com/linux/centos/ks.cfg
label text
  kernel vmlinuz
  append initrd=initrd.img text ramdisk_size=8192 ks=http://test.bbmak.com/linux/centos/ks.cfg
label expert
  kernel vmlinuz
  append expert initrd=initrd.img ramdisk_size=8192 ks=http://test.bbmak.com/linux/centos/ks.cfg
label ks
  kernel vmlinuz
  append ks initrd=initrd.img ramdisk_size=8192 ks=http://test.bbmak.com/linux/centos/ks.cfg
label lowres
  kernel vmlinuz
  append initrd=initrd.img lowres ramdisk_size=8192 ks=http://test.bbmak.com/linux/centos/ks.cfg
label memtest86
  kernel memtest
  append -

Well, this is my simple guide of deploying linux unattendly with win ris. I hope you enjoy it.

If anyone who wishes to write a much more detail guide, please do so. I am a lazy person. Do not like to upload screenshots

Edited February 18, 2007 by bbmak