AUTOMATING INSTALLATION WITH KICKSTART

- November 24, 2020

CHAPTER 1

AUTOMATING INSTALLATION WITH KICKSTART

Some Information about Kickstart

If we install Linux OS on single standalone machine, it is easy to install manually. But if we want to install 30/40 or more machines for your organization, then it will be more complicated work due of time. Right?

So, then we will use automated installation process. so that all client machines can be installed from a single server machine automatically.

That's why - we will " kickstart method"

** Kickstart is an automated installation method used primarily by Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

** Kickstart in Red Hat Enterprise Linux is similar to Jumpstart for Oracle Solaris, or to an unattended installation (WDS Deployment) for Microsoft Windows.

Video Links:

Part-01:

Part-02:

Our LAB Scenario :

But we will take One Client and One Server

Server Name -> Kickstart-Server

Client Name -> Kickstart-Client-1

In VMware, We will connect those 2 machines by host-only adapter

Now let's start our work at Kickstart-Server

To perform a kickstart installation, we need to follow these steps:

Step-01:

Create a Kickstart file, a plain text file with several predefined configuration options.

To create this file we have to use "system-config-kickstart" command. But we have to install this package first

To install this package:

[root@kickstart-server ~]# yum install system-config-kickstart -y

After installing the package you can check it.

[root@kickstart-server ~]# rpm -qa system-config-kickstart

Now type, system-config-kickstart

[root@kickstart-server ~]# system-config-kickstart

You will be prompted a "Kickstart Configuration" window

"Basic Configuration" Option

"Installation Method" Option

"Basic Loader Options" Option

"Partition Information" Option

Final "Partition Information" Option

"Network Configuration" Option

"Firewall Configuration" Option

"Post Installation Script" Option

useradd mushfiq

echo mmr | passwd mushfiq

useradd itbd

echo itbd | passwd itbd

Now, we will save this file with any name but extension will be .cfg

Our kickstart configuration file has created which is named - "http-ks.cfg". which has been saved in Desktop.

But at this file, we do not select any package

if we want to add some packages at this file, we can add. But HOW?

We will copy the packages option from default 'anaconda-ks.cfg' which is stored in "/root" directory. Now we will copy these and we will paste into "http-ks.cfg" at bottom.

We will paste it into http-ks.cfg file at bottom part and save it by pressing save button

=====================================================================

#platform=x86, AMD64, or Intel EM64T

#version=DEVEL

# Install OS instead of upgrade

install

# Keyboard layouts

keyboard 'us'

# Root password

rootpw --iscrypted $1$zzlGk/Br$xnZahmLWx4L2pSCvK9hc7.

# System language

lang en_US

# System authorization information

auth --useshadow --passalgo=sha512

# Use graphical install

graphical

firstboot --disable

# SELinux configuration

selinux --disabled

# Firewall configuration

firewall --disabled

# Network information

network --bootproto=dhcp --device=eth0

# Reboot after installation

reboot

# System timezone

timezone Asia/Dhaka

# Use network installation

url --url="http://192.168.61.131/dvd"

# System bootloader configuration

bootloader --location=mbr

# Clear the Master Boot Record

zerombr

# Partition clearing information

clearpart --all --initlabel

# Disk partitioning information

part /boot --fstype="ext4" --size=500

part / --fstype="ext4" --size=20000

part /home --fstype="ext4" --size=2000

%post

useradd mushfiq

echo mmr | passwd mushfiq

useradd itbd

echo itbd | passwd itbd

%end

%packages

@^graphical-server-environment

@base

@core

@desktop-debugging

@dial-up

@dns-server

@file-server

@fonts

@ftp-server

@gnome-desktop

@guest-agents

@guest-desktop-agents

@hardware-monitoring

@input-methods

@internet-browser

@multimedia

@print-client

@remote-system-management

@virtualization-tools

@x11

kexec-tools

%end

%addon com_redhat_kdump --enable --reserve-mb='auto'

%end

=====================================================================

To check our newly created kickstart configuration file(http-ks.cfg), we will use "ksvalidator" command

[root@kickstart-server ~]# ksvalidator /root/Desktop/http-ks.cfg

if there is no output, means - your file is ok

So, our step-01 is done.

Step-02:

Now, we have to install http package, because of our clients will take our configuration file through http.

[root@kickstart-server ~]# yum install http* -y

After installing this package, we will get "/var/www/hrml" folder, which is default location of http service

Hope, you have remember that, we gave a directory named "dvd" into our http server. So we have to create a directoty named "dvd", where we will put our configuration file (http-ks.cfg) and our ISO file.

So, Let's do it.

To copy http-ks.cfg file from Desktop into html folder:

[root@kickstart-server ~]# cp /root/Desktop/http-ks.cfg /var/www/http/

Now we will copy our ISO file. Which is like below. In my case, it is on Desktop.