This page describes how to configure CentOS 6.3 as an Anaconda
& Kickstart PXE boot and install server. The following guide outlines
the details for setting up both CentOS 6.3 x86_64 and CentOS 6.3 i386 on the
same server. With a bit more effort, it is also possible to install other
Enterprise Linux versions using the same install server (e.g. CentOS 5.8 or any
version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux).
Step 1) Download the CentOS DVD ISOs
o
Keep these available, you'll need them again
later in this process.
# 64-bit
wget
http://www.gtlib.gatech.edu/pub/centos/6.3/isos/x86_64/CentOS-6.3-x86_64-bin-DVD1.iso
# 32-bit
wget
http://www.gtlib.gatech.edu/pub/centos/6.3/isos/i386/CentOS-6.3-i386-bin-DVD1.iso
Step 2) Install CentOS 6.3
o
This will be the anaconda / kickstart server.
o
Start with a 'minimal' install.
o
Make sure to have at least 40GB of free space on
/ or mounted as /export.
o
This guide uses yum to install the required
additional packages.
o
Internet (or a Satellite Server) access isn't
necessarily required, but it does make it easier.
o
In lieu of Internet/Satellite access, you could
use rpm to install the required packages, but it's more difficult and you will
have to install all dependent packages manually.
Step 3) Configure the network interface(s)
o
Don't use dhcp for the anaconda / kickstart
server's network interface.
o
Configure /etc/resolv.conf and
/etc/nsswitch.conf appropriately for your environment.
o
Remember to check that Internet (or Satellite
Server) access works (e.g. yum makecache)
vi
/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth1:
-- begin example /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth1--
DEVICE="eth1"
BOOTPROTO="none"
NM_CONTROLLED="no"
ONBOOT="yes"
TYPE="Ethernet"
IPADDR=192.168.111.1
MASK=255.255.255.0
-- end example /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0--
Step 4) Disable iptables
o
This isn’t absolutely necessary, it’s just easier.
chkconfig iptables off
service iptables stop
Step 5) Disable selinux
·
Again, not necessary but easier.
vi /etc/selinux/config
-- begin example /etc/selinux/config--
# This file controls the state of
SELinux on the system.
# SELINUX= can take one of these
three values:
# enforcing
- SELinux security policy is enforced.
# permissive
- SELinux prints warnings instead of enforcing.
# disabled -
No SELinux policy is loaded.
SELINUX=disabled
# SELINUXTYPE= can take one of these
two values:
# targeted -
Targeted processes are protected,
# mls -
Multi Level Security protection.
SELINUXTYPE=targeted
-- end example /etc/selinux/config--
Step 6) Install required packages
yum -y install wget syslinux
syslinux-tftpboot xinetd tftp-server tftp dhcp httpd openssh-clients
Step 7) Create the anaconda directory structure
mkdir -p /export/anaconda/iso/CentOS
mkdir -p /export/anaconda/media
mkdir -p
/export/anaconda/media/CentOS-6.3-x86_64
mkdir -p
/export/anaconda/media/CentOS-6.3-i386
mkdir -p /export/anaconda/tftpboot
mkdir -p
/export/anaconda/tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg
mkdir -p
/export/anaconda/tftpboot/CentOS-6.3-x86_64
mkdir -p
/export/anaconda/tftpboot/CentOS-6.3-i386
mkdir -p
/export/anaconda/postinstall/
mkdir -p /export/anaconda/cfg/
ln -s /export/anaconda /anaconda
Step 8) Enable anaconda tftp boot via xinetd
vi /etc/xinetd.d/tftp
-- begin example /etc/xinetd.d/tftp--
# default: on
# description: The tftp server
serves files using the trivial file transfer \
# protocol. The tftp protocol is often used to boot
diskless \
# workstations, download configuration
files to network-aware printers, \
# and to start the installation process
for some operating systems.
service tftp
{
socket_type = dgram
protocol = udp
wait = yes
user = root
server = /usr/sbin/in.tftpd
server_args = -s /export/anaconda/tftpboot
disable = no
per_source = 11
cps = 100 2
flags = IPv4
}
-- end example /etc/xinetd.d/tftp--
Step 9) Configure the DHCP server
o
Note that the example dhcpd.conf below is not
authoritative.
o
For PXE boot to work, you must enter the correct
hardware ethernet (MAC) address for each of the clients you want to kickstart.
o
This could be changed to authoritative for a
given subnet, but it's safer to prevent *any* client from obtaining an IP
address from this dhcp server.
o
Once a client is installed via kickstart, be
sure to remove (or change) the MAC address in dhcpd.conf so it doesn't
accidentally get re-installed.
o
Preventing fully automatic installs is generally
a good practice.
vi /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf
-- begin example /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf--
ddns-update-style ad-hoc;
not authoritative;
option domain-name "defaultdomain";
deny unknown-clients;
allow booting;
allow bootp;
option ip-forwarding false;
option mask-supplier false;
subnet 192.168.111.0 netmask
255.255.255.0 {
option
routers 192.168.111.1;
option
domain-name-servers 192.168.111.1;
option
subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;
}
group {
next-server 192.168.111.1;
filename "pxelinux.0";
max-lease-time 86400;
default-lease-time 43200;
min-lease-time 43200;
host
anaconda-dhcp-200 {
hardware
ethernet 00:0c:29:1b:f7:84; # red
fixed-address
192.168.111.200;
}
host
anaconda-dhcp-201 {
hardware
ethernet 00:0c:29:fa:74:e5; # orange
fixed-address
192.168.111.201;
}
}
-- end example /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf--
Step 10) Copy the CentOS DVD media
o
Use the ISOs downloaded earlier. Or,
download them again.
o
(somehow) Copy them to
/export/anaconda/iso/CentOS, e.g.
scp CentOS-6.3-x86_64-bin-DVD1.iso
root@192.168.111.1:/export/anaconda/iso/CentOS
scp CentOS-6.3-i386-bin-DVD1.iso
root@192.168.111.1:/export/anaconda/iso/CentOS
Or ...
cd /export/anaconda/iso/CentOS
# 64-bit
wget
http://www.gtlib.gatech.edu/pub/centos/6.3/isos/x86_64/CentOS-6.3-x86_64-bin-DVD1.iso
# 32-bit
wget
http://www.gtlib.gatech.edu/pub/centos/6.3/isos/i386/CentOS-6.3-i386-bin-DVD1.iso
Once the ISOs exist in /export/anaconda/iso/CentOS on the
server ...
# 64-bit
cd
/export/anaconda/media/CentOS-6.3-x86_64/
mount -o loop
/export/anaconda/iso/CentOS/CentOS-6.3-x86_64-bin-DVD1.iso /mnt
cp -rp /mnt/* .
umount /mnt
# 32-bit
cd
/export/anaconda/media/CentOS-6.3-i386/
mount -o loop /export/anaconda/iso/CentOS/CentOS-6.3-i386-bin-DVD1.iso
/mnt
cp -rp /mnt/* .
umount /mnt
Step 11) Configure default boot menu
o
Adding the default option to boot to rescue mode
can avoid fully automatic (accidental) installs.
o
Manual selection of the correct installation /
kickstart configuration profile is my best practice.
vi
/export/anaconda/tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
-- begin example /export/anaconda/tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/default--
timeout 3600
default menu.c32
menu title Automatic Anaconda /
Kickstart Boot Menu
label 1
menu label ^ 1)
CentOS-6.3-x86_64 (64-bit)
kernel
CentOS-6.3-x86_64/vmlinuz
append
initrd=CentOS-6.3-x86_64/initrd.img ramdisk_size=15491 ip=dhcp ksdevice=bootif ks=http://192.168.111.1/anaconda/cfg/CentOS-6.3-x86_64-ks.cfg
IPAPPEND 2
label 2
menu label ^ 2)
CentOS-6.3-i386 (32-bit)
kernel
CentOS-6.3-i386/vmlinuz
append
initrd=CentOS-6.3-i386/initrd.img ramdisk_size=15491 ip=dhcp ksdevice=bootif ks=http://192.168.111.1/anaconda/cfg/CentOS-6.3-i386-ks.cfg
IPAPPEND 2
label 3
menu label ^ 3) Rescue CentOS-6.3-x86_64
(64-bit)
kernel
CentOS-6.3-x86_64/vmlinuz
append initrd=CentOS-6.3-x86_64/initrd.img
ramdisk_size=15491 ip=dhcp repo=http://192.168.111.1/anaconda/CentOS-6.3-x86_64
lang=en_US.UTF-8 keymap=us rescue
label 4
menu label ^ 4) Rescue CentOS-6.3-i386
(32-bit)
menu default
kernel CentOS-6.3-i386/vmlinuz
append initrd=CentOS-6.3-i386/initrd.img
ramdisk_size=15491 ip=dhcp repo=http://192.168.111.1/anaconda/CentOS-6.3-i386
lang=en_US.UTF-8 keymap=us rescue
-- end example /export/anaconda/tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/default--
Step 12) Configure /etc/httpd/conf.d/anaconda.conf
vi /etc/httpd/conf.d/anaconda.conf
-- begin example /etc/httpd/conf.d/anaconda.conf--
# anaconda/kickstart
#
Alias /anaconda/cfg
/export/anaconda/cfg
<Directory
/export/anaconda/cfg/>
Options Indexes
FollowSymLinks
Allow from All
</Directory>
Alias /anaconda/postinstall
/export/anaconda/postinstall
<Directory
/export/anaconda/postinstall/>
Options Indexes
FollowSymLinks
Allow from All
</Directory>
Alias /anaconda
/export/anaconda/media
<Directory
/export/anaconda/media/>
Options Indexes
FollowSymLinks
Allow from All
</Directory>
-- end example /etc/httpd/conf.d/anaconda.conf--
Step 13) Customize kickstart configuration files
o
These are working examples, but you should
tailor them to your individual needs.
# 64-bit
vi
/export/anaconda/cfg/CentOS-6.3-x86_64-ks.cfg
-- begin example /export/anaconda/cfg/CentOS-6.3-x86_64-ks.cfg--
# Example kickstart configuration
file for a RHEL 6.3 x86_64 (64-bit) standard install.
#
install
# Specifies the language
lang en_US.UTF-8
# Specifies the keyboard layout
keyboard us
# Skip Red Hat subscriber key input
key --skip
# Forces the text installer to be
used (saves time)
text
# Forces the cmdline installer to be
used (debugging)
#cmdline
# Skips the display of any GUI
during install (saves time)
skipx
# Used with an HTTP install to
specify where the install files are located
url --url
http://192.168.111.1/anaconda/CentOS-6.3-x86_64
# Assign a static IP address upon
first boot & set the hostname
network --onboot yes --bootproto
dhcp --hostname rhel63
# Give the second interface a DHCP
address (if you are not using a second interface comment this line out)
#network --device eth1
--bootproto=dhcp
# Set the root password
rootpw r00tp@55w0rd
# Enable the firewall and open port
22 for SSH remote administration
firewall --enabled --port=22:tcp
# Setup security and SELinux levels
#authconfig --enableshadow
--enablemd5
authconfig --enableshadow
--passalgo=sha512
selinux --disabled
# Set the timezone
timezone --utc Etc/UTC
# Create the bootloader in the MBR
with drive sda being the drive to install it on
bootloader --location=mbr
--driveorder=sda,sdb --append=audit=1
# Wipe all partitions and build them
with the info below
clearpart --all --initlabel
#Disk partitioning information
zerombr
# Create primary partitions
part /boot --fstype ext4 --size=500
--asprimary --ondisk=sda
part swap --size=4096 --asprimary
--ondisk=sda
part pv.01 --size=100 --grow
--asprimary --ondisk=sda
# use the entire second disk for
swap
#part swap --size=100 --grow
--ondisk=sdb
# Create LVM logical volumes
volgroup system --pesize=32768 pv.01
logvol /var
--vgname=system --size=8196 --name=var_vol
logvol /tmp
--vgname=system --size=2048 --name=tmp_vol
logvol /
--vgname=system --size=100 --grow --name=root_vol
# reboot when installation completes
reboot
# Install the Core software
packages, aka "minimal", plus a couple extras
%packages
# minimal
@core
@server-policy
#@base
#@network-file-system-client
#@server-policy
%end
%pre
# redirect debugging output to tty3
#exec < /dev/tty3 > /dev/tty3
#chvt 3
%post --log=/var/tmp/install.log
# redirect debugging output to tty3
#exec < /dev/tty3 > /dev/tty3
#chvt 3
echo "Creating
CentOS-6.3-x86_64 post installation directory ..."
mkdir -p /opt/postinstall
echo "Downloading
CentOS-6.3-x86_64 post installation files ..."
cd /opt/postinstall
wget
http://192.168.111.1/kickstart/postinstall/CentOS-6.3-x86_64-postinstall.tgz
tar zxf
CentOS-6.3-x86_64-postinstall.tgz
rm CentOS-6.3-x86_64-postinstall.tgz
> /dev/null 2>&1
echo "Executing
CentOS-6.3-x86_64 post installation script ..."
./CentOS-6.3-x86_64-postinstall
>> CentOS-6.3-x86_64-postinstall.out 2>&1
echo "Done."
-- end example /export/anaconda/cfg/CentOS-6.3-x86_64-ks.cfg--
# 32-bit
vi
/export/anaconda/cfg/CentOS-6.3-i386-ks.cfg
-- begin example /export/anaconda/cfg/CentOS-6.3-i386-ks.cfg--
# Example kickstart configuration
file for a RHEL 6.3 i386 (32-bit) standard install.
#
install
# Specifies the language
lang en_US.UTF-8
# Specifies the keyboard layout
keyboard us
# Skip Red Hat subscriber key input
key --skip
# Forces the text installer to be
used (saves time)
text
# Forces the cmdline installer to be
used (debugging)
#cmdline
# Skips the display of any GUI
during install (saves time)
skipx
# Used with an HTTP install to
specify where the install files are located
url --url
http://192.168.111.1/anaconda/CentOS-6.3-i386
# Assign a static IP address upon
first boot & set the hostname
network --onboot yes --bootproto
dhcp --hostname rhel63
# Give the second interface a DHCP
address (if you are not using a second interface comment this line out)
#network --device eth1
--bootproto=dhcp
# Set the root password
rootpw r00tp@55w0rd
# Enable the firewall and open port
22 for SSH remote administration
firewall --enabled --port=22:tcp
# Setup security and SELinux levels
#authconfig --enableshadow
--enablemd5
authconfig --enableshadow
--passalgo=sha512
selinux --disabled
# Set the timezone
timezone --utc Etc/UTC
# Create the bootloader in the MBR
with drive sda being the drive to install it on
bootloader --location=mbr
--driveorder=sda,sdb --append=audit=1
# Wipe all partitions and build them
with the info below
clearpart --all --initlabel
#Disk partitioning information
zerombr
# Create primary partitions
part /boot --fstype ext4 --size=500
--asprimary --ondisk=sda
part swap --size=4096 --asprimary
--ondisk=sda
part pv.01 --size=100 --grow
--asprimary --ondisk=sda
# use the entire second disk for
swap
#part swap --size=100 --grow
--ondisk=sdb
# Create LVM logical volumes
volgroup system --pesize=32768 pv.01
logvol /var
--vgname=system --size=8196 --name=var_vol
logvol /tmp
--vgname=system --size=2048 --name=tmp_vol
logvol /
--vgname=system --size=100 --grow --name=root_vol
# reboot when installation completes
reboot
# Install the Core software
packages, aka "minimal", plus a couple extras
%packages
# minimal
@core
@server-policy
#@base
#@network-file-system-client
#@server-policy
%end
%pre
# redirect debugging output to tty3
#exec < /dev/tty3 > /dev/tty3
#chvt 3
%post --log=/var/tmp/install.log
# redirect debugging output to tty3
#exec < /dev/tty3 > /dev/tty3
#chvt 3
echo "Creating CentOS-6.3-i386
post installation directory ..."
mkdir -p /opt/postinstall
echo "Downloading
CentOS-6.3-i386 post installation files ..."
cd /opt/postinstall
wget
http://192.168.111.1/kickstart/postinstall/CentOS-6.3-i386-postinstall.tgz
tar zxf
CentOS-6.3-i386-postinstall.tgz
rm CentOS-6.3-i386-postinstall.tgz
> /dev/null 2>&1
echo "Executing CentOS-6.3-i386
post installation script ..."
./CentOS-6.3-i386-postinstall
>> CentOS-6.3-i386-postinstall.out 2>&1
echo "Done."
-- end example /export/anaconda/cfg/CentOS-6.3-i386-ks.cfg--
Step 15) Finish configuring the PXE boot environment
cp /usr/share/syslinux/pxelinux.0
/export/anaconda/tftpboot/
cp /usr/share/syslinux/menu.c32
/export/anaconda/tftpboot/
# 64-bit
cd
/export/anaconda/tftpboot/CentOS-6.3-x86_64/
cp
/export/anaconda/media/CentOS-6.3-x86_64/images/pxeboot/* .
# 32-bit
cd
/export/anaconda/tftpboot/CentOS-6.3-i386/
cp
/export/anaconda/media/CentOS-6.3-i386/images/pxeboot/* .
Step 16) Enable services
chkconfig dhcpd on
chkconfig httpd on
chkconfig xinetd on
service dhcpd restart
service httpd restart
service xinetd restart
reboot
Step 17) PXE Boot the install clients
o
Different hardware manufacturers have different
methods for invoking PXE network booting.
o
Make sure to verify the client’s MAC address is
in /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf and that you’ve restarted dhcpd (e.g. service dhcpd
restart).
o
If everything’s correct then you should see
screens similar to the following screen shots.
