# vim: set ft=conf

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

# Debian Installer
General guide: http://www.debian.org/releases/squeeze/amd64/index.html.en
HOWTO: http://www.debian.org/releases/squeeze/amd64/apa.html.en

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

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

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

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

* supply path to preseed.cfg
* 'auto'

### Serial console for installer
console=ttyS0

### No DHCP probe, ask manual setup info
netcfg/disable_dhcp=true

### Preseed .cfg source
preseed/url, preseed/file=...

### debug/test preseed
preseed/interactive=true

### Do network/preseed before asking questions
auto-install/enable=???

### Keep VT's after serial console install
finish-install/keep-consoles=true

### Forget recommends
base-installer/install-recommends=false

### Resuce mode \o/ (chroot to target?)
rescue/enable=true

### Config settings
debian-installer/language & debian-installer/country | debian-installer/locale
locale=...

### Load installer modules
anna/choose_modules

### Tasksel
tasksel:tasksel/first

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

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

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

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

## Creating a preconfugration file
http://d-i.alioth.debian.org/manual/en.i386/apbs03.html

    http://d-i.alioth.debian.org/manual/example-preseed.txt
    
    $ sudo aptitude install debconf-utils
    $ debconf-get-selections --installer > file
    $ debconf-get-selections >> file

## Contents of the preconfiguration file
http://d-i.alioth.debian.org/manual/en.i386/apbs04.html

Our customized preconfig file: preseed/preseed.cfg

 ^ templated for per-host customization: {GUEST_NAME}
 ^ all vars defined in pkvlm-create are available for use

### Locale

en_GB.UTF-8; country=FI

### Keyboard

fi

### Network

static

### Mirror

ftp.fi.debian.org

### Accounts

root + terom.

User account in sudo group.

### TZ/Clock

Europe/Helsinki; ntp.paivola.fi

### Partman

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

### Base installer

No install recommends (wheeeee!)

### APT setup

Dunno, defaults

### Package selection

Tasks:
* standard
* ssh-server

Additional packages:
* sudo
* screen

Install security updates right away during install.. No popcon

### The rest

foo

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

# pkvlm-create

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

## Email
http://www.debian.org/releases/squeeze/amd64/ch08s05.html.en
No local mail delivery at all. Mail sent via smtp.paivola.fi to admin users @paivola.fi.
mutt is installed, but not useable.