suggested framework for mass installation w/dapper?

[Scott Dier]

I *was* using fai, and have information for it available if you need it, 
but I'd recommend using preseed.  I've attached a santatized file that 
I've been using with Dapper.  It does ask what you want to do with the 
disk (ie: use free space or erase the disk)  You can automate that 
further if you like.   If you look at the alternate installer 
documentation (I believe theres a copy on the CD image, but I don't 
remember) it has information on how to boot with a preseed file.  You'd 
be best off setting up dhcp and providing the information via pxelinux 
(editing the netboot pxelinux conifguration) or booting off a usb stick 
or CD and providing the information to d-i through dhcp.

I'm experimenting with using my mirror to generate new Packages files 
with additional tasks defined in the overrides files. The new Packages 
files would (definately without a doubt) not be in the /ubuntu tree just 
in case anyone is about ready to start hyperventilating.  I'm going to 
have my own local branch of /dists that is stored in another, password 
protected, directory with a symlink to ubuntu -- all of the operations 
being done by a non-related username to the mirroring process so its 
impossible for me to alter the 'official' archive. I don't want to wait 
for launchpad to end up with a similar feature, and anyhow I want it on 
my local mirror. ;)  If I'm successful I'll post details to the wiki on 
how to complete the process.

It may be interesting as a simple command can then be used to update 
packages on remote machines to add new 'systemwide' software rather than 
having to instruct people to install specific packages through synaptic, 
etc.

Theres also a bug in preseeding at the moment (I think still) that 
causes multiline entries to break the installer -- you'll need to 
consolidate them into single line entries.

Thanks,

sean finney wrote:
> hi folks,
> 
> i'll soon be faced with the need of installing a number of (mostly laptop)
> clients with a gnu/linux platform as a "standard client" type image for
> my current $employer.  as dapper just came out, i'd like to base it off
> of this if possible, but for this to be realistic i'll need a certain
> amount of automation and customization support.
> 
> so, i'm wondering who else is doing this and how.  i know of FAI, but the
> wiki docs seem a little dusty (hoary?).  i see there's an "OEM installer",
> which also looks promising but from the description i wonder if there's
> any way to automate the process.   is there perhaps another option i
> don't know of?  is it at all possible to just drop some hooks into one
> of the standard installers?
> 
> 
> thanks,
> 	sean
> 
> 


-- 
Scott Dier <dieman at ringworld.org>
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