Automated installation
From Wikitech
Revision as of 19:25, 17 August 2011 by Bhartshorne (Talk | contribs)
A more recent set of instructions on how to build new servers is at Build a new server. This page is still here for extra info and context but is not actively maintained as of 2011-08.
We have an automated installation system for Ubuntu server, using the Ubuntu installer and preseeding.
Contents |
How to install a server
Information needed
- MAC Address
- Note the mac address either from it being printed on the hardware, seeing it on boot or looking it up from the system bios within the management console.
- Internal or external based host
- Choose whether this will be an externally routable host like zwinger.wikimedia.org or if its just internally routable like srv98.pmtpa.wmnet
- Network_design is a good reference point for understanding what vlans are available for the network.
- Apply the correct vlan settings as documented at IOS_howto#moving_vlans.
- Choose whether this will be an externally routable host like zwinger.wikimedia.org or if its just internally routable like srv98.pmtpa.wmnet
System Install
- Ensure the server is in the netboot.cfg file located in /srv/autoinstall/netboot.cfg on brewster in the correct section.
- If your box is part of a cluster, then add it to corresponding range otherwise the common install will be used.
- Systems with no entry in netboot.cfg merely have the installer prompt for partitioning information.
- Add the host to the dhcpd configuration file on brewster found in /etc/dhcpd/ and restart dhcpd.
- Please do note there is one configuration file per system baud rate on serial. Please put the system you wish to install in the proper file.
- Connect through the management interface of your new host, power on the server, and netboot the box (e.g. hit F-12 during bootup if it's a Dell).
- There are far more detailed instructions on how to interact with the remote management interfaces at Remote_management
If all works well, you should pull down an automated install from zwinger and lots of magical things will transpire until you get to the partitioning screen.
- Follow the guidelines at partitioning on how best to slice up the disks.
- After the install, ensure the system can use puppet for basic updates. DO NOT PUSH NEW SYSTEMS INTO THE CLUSTER WITHOUT PUPPET WORKING!
Outstanding issues
- Partitioning
- mcelog
- security.ubuntu.com
- SSH keys repository
- Grub PXE booting
- Automatic setting of root password
Problems
My host turned on through the management interface but got no dhcp lease
- Check /var/log/dhcpd.log on brewster to see if the hosts request was ever received.
- If it wasn't then there might be a link issue between the two hosts.
- If it is there then pay attention to the error message. A message of no leases available can mean many things.
- Check the mac address in dhcpd configuration to make sure you entered in the right address.
- Make sure you have set the proper vlan on the switch that your new host is connected to.
