Questions tagged [kickstart]

Kickstart is the method of automated installation of Linux Systems based on Red Hat or their clones (CentOS, Scientific Linux, Unbreakable Linux, ...)

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How to create a custom ISO image in CentOS

I am trying to create a custom ISO image which would install the minimal required RPMS along with some custom written RPM of my app. and Also wants to perform some post install steps like configuring ...
Ramesh Kumar's user avatar
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20 votes
4 answers
17k views

Linux `alternatives --config` without user input

I am writing a RHEL kickstart script, and in my %post, I need to install a JRE. Basically, the current setup involves me needing to manually go in after first boot and set the newly installed JRE as ...
snk's user avatar
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13 votes
5 answers
48k views

Kickstart installation from USB -- Kickstart location

After managing to get a Fedora ISO to rebuild successfully (for a USB stick) after adding a kickstart file (https://serverfault.com/questions/548405/), I now have an issue with locating the kickstart ...
dooffas's user avatar
  • 325
11 votes
2 answers
4k views

Kickoff Ansible Playbook after Cobbler install

I am working on implementing Cobbler and Ansible to do our server deploys and am having one final issue. My Ansible playbook works great, my Cobbler install works great, but the issue is in tying them ...
Mildew's user avatar
  • 111
9 votes
2 answers
6k views

What in a kickstart file sets the desktop GUI as default (runlevel 5)?

I am using Scientific Linux 6 and am installing the following desktop-related package groups: @basic-desktop @desktop-platform @general-desktop @x11 However, after installation, /etc/inittab still ...
Belmin Fernandez's user avatar
8 votes
5 answers
7k views

Red Hat server minimal install

In a farm of virtualized Red Hat servers, there's the need to install a minimal system for security reasons. Minimal installs have several advantages (even no security related): Less exposure to ...
chmeee's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
9k views

CentOS 6 kickstart ignoring 'selinux --disabled'

I've been fighting with this one for a bit and it seems that there has been a regression in CentOS 6 as far as anaconda ignoring the selinux --disabled directive. This appears to have first appeared ...
Zypher's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
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Why is bluetooth support one of the default packages in "Base" when doing an RHEL/CentOS server install? [closed]

This is an issue that has bugged me for a long time - why would the default server installation of RHEL?CentOS include desktop/laptop packages like bluetooth? When using kickstart, I will usually ...
warren's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
13k views

How do I pass arguments from the PXE command line to a kickstart %pre, %post script?

Basically I want an ARGV like usage on the PXE command line, but I can't see any documentation to do this. basically I want to pass something like scientific-linux-6 HOSTNAME VLAN then in %pre hit ...
EnabrenTane's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
7k views

CentOS 7.2.1511, kickstart and user creation

I've run into issue with kickstart and user creation. From long-long time ago I had in my kickstart these lines to create user: user --name=a --gecos="A" --uid=500 --groups=wheel --password="..." --...
sashk's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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Fine line between kickstart and puppet

I'm interested in Puppet configuration management system, but wonder where the fine line goes between kick-start and Puppet? Today I do a lot of tasks in kick-start (powered by Cobbler), including ...
SyRenity's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Scripted install vs cloning

What are the downside of cloning vs scripted installation (using Kick-start / Puppet)? I read a lot of pro-scripted install opinion, where cloning is considered as unreliable method due to ever ...
SyRenity's user avatar
  • 3,189
6 votes
4 answers
15k views

Installing yum repositories that are specified in kickstart file

Right now, I am specifying repositories to be used for installation in the kickstart file via the repo directive. I am then, re-specifying those repositories to be added to the /etc/yum.repos.d post-...
Belmin Fernandez's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
10k views

How to build a driver disk for an anaconda install (CentOS 6)

I need to make a driver disk for anaconda. This disk would contain an updated module for the network card of a somewhat recent laptop and the goal is to get a network install of CentOS 6.2 working. I ...
chutz's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
17k views

CentOS/RHEL 7 LVM Partitioning in Kickstart?

I am trying to learn more about partitioning in Linux, specifically LVM partitioning. So I have been looking through many sources on this, various examples, but none of them seem to go into more ...
Alex Mikhaelson's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
4k views

Tips for optimizing RHEL/CentOS kickstart workflow

I'm working in an environment that consists of CentOS systems located in multiple data centers and office locations. I've been using a reasonable kickstart with a solid post-install script, but want ...
ewwhite's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
12k views

Create kickstart configuration file from existing configuration

Is there a script or another way to automatically generate a kickstart configuration file from the system state of an existing server so that the file can be use to replicate (not clone) the ...
ÜMineiro's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
5k views

CentOS Kickstart on KVM doesn't clear partition labels

I used a kickstart file with the command clearpart --all --initlabel to make sure anaconda would clear any disks before trying to create and format new partitions. This has worked in the past for me, ...
Kenny Rasschaert's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
12k views

Logging all the commands executed during a kickstart installation to file and screen

I'm using the following kickstart post installation logging options: %post exec < /dev/tty3 > /dev/tty3 chvt 3 echo echo "################################" echo "# Running Post ...
3laz3r's user avatar
  • 63
6 votes
1 answer
4k views

CentOS/Redhat kickstart script cdrom mount point

Trying to copy some files from my custom CentOS 7 install ISO to the new install in the %post section. I've tried all of these: cp /dev/cdrom/scripts/myscript.sh /etc/myscripts/myscript.sh cp /dev/...
Kiksy's user avatar
  • 327
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

RHEL Clones (Centos, Scientific, CERN) network installation on XenServer 6.2

I'm trying to install a Scientific Linux CERN 6 guest on XenServer 6.2 through the network with PXE Booting but it hangs in the message: mounting /tmp as tmpfs... done I'm not using the most ...
Vinícius Ferrão's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

Kickstart SSH usage

I have a small Kickstart script which (among other things) connects to our Puppet master, approves the certificate request and then creates a basic framework for a new server. Within my Kickstart ...
Tim Brigham's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
4k views

How can I answer the "scan another CD" prompt during Debian install with preseed?

I've got a preseeded install from cdrom working smoothly, except for ONE prompt. It does the scan of the cdrom before installing software, and asks me if I want to insert an additional CD to scan. Is ...
Nathan Neulinger's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
63k views

CentOS 7 ISO Kickstart Installation - "Pane is dead"

EDIT: I retried this generically, and see the same problem. To reproduce, follow my steps below. I am starting to think that it might be a problem with the hardware, but I am not certain. When ...
Trenin's user avatar
  • 262
5 votes
4 answers
17k views

Anaconda kickstart and rootpw option

I've tried a few different methods of generating an encrypted password on SL 6.5, but nothing seems to work for me. I'm not finding any errors anywhere in the various /var/log/anaconda* files, but I ...
miken32's user avatar
  • 964
5 votes
3 answers
5k views

Rebuild Fedora 19 ISO adding Kickstart for USB install

I am attempting to edit a Fedora 19 DVD ISO to add a kickstart file. I then need this ISO burnt to a USB stick for instillation. The error I get when booting is Warning: Could not boot. Warning: /...
dooffas's user avatar
  • 325
5 votes
3 answers
4k views

Kickstart: Serve dynamic kickstart images via a CGI or PHP script?

I'd like to Kickstart a couple dozen RHEL6/SL6 servers. However, some of these servers are different and I don't want to create a new ks.cfg file for each class of server. Is there any way I can ...
Stefan Lasiewski's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
4k views

Modify XFS filesystem creation parameters during kickstart installation

I'm streamlining the kickstart process for a series of EL6.2 (RHEL, CentOS, SL, etc.) systems. I'd prefer to use XFS over ext4 for the growth/data partition. However, I'd like some control over the ...
ewwhite's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
6k views

Ubuntu Kickstart installation using LVM waits for input

I have a PXE Boot Setup for installing CentOS 5 and Ubuntu 10.04 via Kickstart. I use LVM and installing CentOS without any user interaction works but Ubuntu always asks to "confirm to write changes ...
Sascha's user avatar
  • 341
5 votes
2 answers
535 views

Kickstart - how to exit if an OS already exists

I have what is surely a remedial question for anyone with more Linux experience. I need to check if an operating system is already installed in my kickstart script, and if so, prompt the user if they ...
MsStarlifter's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

How do I force Anaconda's SCAP add-on to let me use a USB keyboard?

The problem I'm creating an RHEL 7.3 installation image with a custom kickstart file. I can add this to my kickstart file to enable SCAP configuration during installation: %addon org_fedora_oscap ...
Alex P's user avatar
  • 181
5 votes
3 answers
3k views

Best way to secure Kickstart encrypted partition passwords

I have a CentOS 6.5 environment that boots up servers using Kickstart. One of the requirements of our Kickstart is that the partitions are encrypted. Since Anaconda can only take plain text passwords ...
chizou's user avatar
  • 477
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

Automated Linux VMs on Hyper-V 2012

I have a requirement to create a ton of linux VMs for our customers (we run managed infrastructure) on Hyper-V 2012 in the coming months and I have an issue with automating it. Here is how I need it ...
Mick's user avatar
  • 51
5 votes
0 answers
1k views

Users created in Kickstart unable to authenticate

Thanks to the answers to this question, I've been happily generating Kickstart files for Scientific Linux 6 and 7 for the past 5 years. However, we're now starting to build out some test systems with ...
miken32's user avatar
  • 964
5 votes
0 answers
654 views

Send linux kernel paramters to VM guest in VMware

I have research a lot about this but I can't find anything that answers my question. My question is how would I send/pass linux kernel parameters to a VM guest in VMware vsphere (so I don't need to ...
krt's user avatar
  • 284
4 votes
5 answers
4k views

Is there a way to run kickstart scripts on a pre-existing server?

We normally provision servers using kickstart scripts (served by Cobbler) when installing the operating system. But we are to be given a new server from an ISP that already has the operating system ...
Rob's user avatar
  • 234
4 votes
3 answers
3k views

VMware ESXi CentOS 6.4 kickstart installation

I was trying to do a kickstart installation for CentOS 6.4 but it always show me a warning of re-initializing the HDD as it say may contain invalid partition table or a virtual disk. I have added ...
Abhinav's user avatar
  • 225
4 votes
5 answers
18k views

How to turn off SSL certificate verification for RedHat Kickstartfile downloading

I'm using Foreman for RedHat 6.0 booting over ipxe (but that shouldn't matter ;) The kernel parameters used for booting are: kernel http://192.168.1.5/dist/rhel/6.0/os/x86_64/images/pxeboot/vmlinuz ...
cyberkov's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
17k views

How can I troubleshoot a failing Linux kickstart installation?

I am having some trouble getting my pxebooting kickstart process working. The script is known to work when installed via a DVD with the local media on the disk. I have updated the script to work ...
Nick V's user avatar
  • 145
4 votes
2 answers
11k views

Error: XFS filesystem is not valid as a default fs type

Ultimate goal: Create an automated installation disk for CentOS, using a kickstart config file stored on an internal website. What I've done: Created a script that downloads an ISO unpacks it ...
Sagar's user avatar
  • 534
4 votes
3 answers
15k views

How to get CentOS 6 kickstart to ask for hostname?

I'm using the CentOS 6 netinstall ISO with some kickstart files on an http server. When the ISO boots I hit TAB and enter the boot options asknetwork ks=http://<ip-address>/path/to/kickstart.ks. ...
Luke's user avatar
  • 1,942
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Kickstart Centos USB Key Centos 6.3

I have got an annoying issue when I try to use it using a USBkey install on a physical box that googleing is not helping. The installation works fine if I specify a URL as install media, but it does ...
chandank's user avatar
  • 867
4 votes
1 answer
5k views

KVM guest time shift on host reboot

I have installed Ubuntu server 12.04 as a KVM host, and created an Ubuntu guest that is also running Ubuntu server 12.04. The servers are in the AST time zone which is UTC + 3 hours. After setting the ...
Marwan Alsabbagh's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Kickstart partitioning with ext4 in autopart mode?

When installing CentOS 6.x, how to specify the filesystem type with ext4 and also use the autopart directive in kickstart file? The default filesystem type with autopart directive used is ext3, which ...
boydc2011's user avatar
  • 141
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

How to create a RHEL/CentOS boot media that automatically loads kickstart from the network?

I've build a local network where using DHCP, kickstart templating and local mirrors I can automate the installation of any RedHat-type operating system. It still requires me to go to the machine (or ...
Guss's user avatar
  • 2,800
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

kickstart over HTTPS only

Background: Kickstarting RHEL7 on powerppc (IBM pSeries) So I've kickstarted unattended for years, and had to use yaboot, NFS, etc. for kickstart in the past. Trying to modernize now. I have a ...
zenfridge's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
6k views

CentOS kickstart automated setup with parted / RAID

I'm trying to use parted to partition my entire drives automatically during the CentOS kickstart install, however, I'm getting two issues with my install. I want to kickstart my installs across ...
Devon's user avatar
  • 800
4 votes
2 answers
4k views

Kickstart based installation of RHEL 6.4 from USB

I want to setup some brand new servers with RHEL 6.4. Servers do not have DVD, so, I have to use USB for the installation. I already have a custom ISO with a kickstart file that I use on servers with ...
Peter's user avatar
  • 842
3 votes
3 answers
3k views

Can I unsilence kickstart step Performing post-installation setup tasks?

While anaconda kickstart installer runs the "Performing post-installation setup tasks" tasks are not visible on console and their outcome is only saved to ks-post.log file. I do want to also display ...
sorin's user avatar
  • 8,216
3 votes
2 answers
4k views

Kickstart CentOS 7 with software RAID 1, but no LVM needed

I am going to Kickstart a CentOS 7.x installation with software RAID 1 remotely for the first time. So I am kinda inexperienced at this and wondering what I need to make this work correctly. A CentOS ...
HudsonHawk's user avatar

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