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# vim: set ft=conf

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General notes on using debian-installer preseeding, and the preseed.cfg that we use.

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# Debian Installer

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General guide: http://www.debian.org/releases/squeeze/amd64/index.html.en

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HOWTO: http://www.debian.org/releases/squeeze/amd64/apa.html.en

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## Modules

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http://www.debian.org/releases/squeeze/amd64/ch06s02.html.en

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 ^ the different modules within debian-installer; the interactive/preseed bits follow the module structure

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## Boot params

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http://www.debian.org/releases/squeeze/amd64/ch05s03.html.en

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 ^ pass boot params to kernel/d-i via isolinux.cfg/boot menu

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* supply path to preseed.cfg

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* 'auto'

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### Serial console for installer

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console=ttyS0

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### No DHCP probe, ask manual setup info

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netcfg/disable_dhcp=true

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### Preseed .cfg source

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preseed/url, preseed/file=...

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### debug/test preseed

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preseed/interactive=true

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### Do network/preseed before asking questions

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auto-install/enable=???

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### Keep VT's after serial console install

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finish-install/keep-consoles=true

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### Forget recommends

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base-installer/install-recommends=false

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### Resuce mode \o/ (chroot to target?)

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rescue/enable=true

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### Config settings

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debian-installer/language & debian-installer/country | debian-installer/locale

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locale=...

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### Load installer modules

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anna/choose_modules

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### Tasksel

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tasksel:tasksel/first

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# Preseeding

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http://d-i.alioth.debian.org/manual/en.i386/apb.html

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-> provide answers to the installer questions (debconf) before-hand; automated installs

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## Using preseed

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http://d-i.alioth.debian.org/manual/en.i386/apbs02.html

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-> remastered CD with custom preseed.cfg + isolinux/isolinux.cfg (for boot args)

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## Creating a preconfugration file

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http://d-i.alioth.debian.org/manual/en.i386/apbs03.html

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    http://d-i.alioth.debian.org/manual/example-preseed.txt

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    $ sudo aptitude install debconf-utils

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    $ debconf-get-selections --installer > file

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    $ debconf-get-selections >> file

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## Contents of the preconfiguration file

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http://d-i.alioth.debian.org/manual/en.i386/apbs04.html

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Our customized preconfig file: preseed/preseed.cfg

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 ^ templated for per-host customization: {GUEST_NAME}

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 ^ all vars defined in pkvlm-create are available for use

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### Locale

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en_GB.UTF-8; country=FI

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### Keyboard

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fi

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### Network

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static

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### Mirror

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ftp.fi.debian.org

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### Accounts

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root + terom.

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User account in sudo group.

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### TZ/Clock

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Europe/Helsinki; ntp.paivola.fi

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### Partman

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/dev/vda; full disk; ext3 + swap(!)

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### Base installer

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No install recommends (wheeeee!)

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### APT setup

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Dunno, defaults

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### Package selection

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Tasks:

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* standard

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* ssh-server

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Additional packages:

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* sudo

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* screen

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Install security updates right away during install.. No popcon

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### The rest

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foo

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# virt-install

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Command-line interface to define new libvirt hosts + boot them up with install media. Not much else, really..

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# pkvlm-create

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Integrate debian-installer preseed + virt-install -> nicely automated debian VM installs

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## Email

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http://www.debian.org/releases/squeeze/amd64/ch08s05.html.en

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No local mail delivery at all. Mail sent via smtp.paivola.fi to admin users @paivola.fi.

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mutt is installed, but not useable.

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