Current revision updated by dhoward32 on
Originally created by dhoward32 on

Context

 

This guide is intended to be an overview of installing a linux OS to a server, desktop, or VM using an ISO image. Ideally, you are able to use Cobbler and not need this process, but sometimes that isn't always available. In this guide, we are only covering the actual OS installation steps here, there are other steps involved with the deployment process, but many of these processes are covered in other guides that can be ideally found at https://generaltso.cc.gatech.edu/guide/linux-server-deployment-landing-page

This guide was written in October of 2024. Ideally, we keep this up to date, but everything here is actively being worked on and modified, so please make sure to bother your local RT or change the documentation here yourself if you find something here is out of date because of a development in our automation somewhere.

Last updated Date: Oct 2024

 

Assumptions

  • Currently, this guide will be focusing on Ubuntu deployments. If you need to build Rhel, then we will update this doc as soon as we are able to.
  • In our walkthrough here, we will be focusing on the default partition layout for servers. There will be future documentation on this page for walking through setting up additional partitions or RAID setups. The default partition layout creates a root, swap, and boot partition.
  • This guide will assume that you have network access and configurations already set up, although you do not specifically need to in order to install an OS.

Where do you get an ISO?

The ISO images for Ubuntu 22 can be found at https://releases.ubuntu.com/jammy/ . If you are deploying a server, you should use a server image. If you are deploying a desktop, it is up to your preference, but if you use a server image, you will need to install the desktop environment as a part of software deployment.

Options for setting up the ISO

USB Drive

Usually this is the option you will be using if you are deploying a desktop. You will need to mount the iso image onto a flashdrive from your computer in order for the flashdrive to become bootable. I use a software called rufus, available at https://rufus.ie/en/. But you are welcome to use any software that you prefer here. There are usually flashdrives available in the work room with help desk if you are looking for one to work with.

Virtual Disk

If you are deplyiong a VM or a server through the BMC, you can use a virtual media image. There is not a single pathway of mounting the image, but the webpage you are using should have a button somewhere for inserting virtual media. When you upload the iso file this way, the web software you are using will handle the mounting for you.

Working with BIOS

If you are working with a desktop

Desktops are incredibly varied in how the bios are setup. Because of this, we can only give general guidance for what you are looking for. You will generally boot to them with hitting F2, F12, or delete key while the splash screen is on. Desktop manufacturers tend to have a lot of settings that really prefer Windows or Linux. You can get around this by disabling any boot features that mention Windows and disabling any CSM compatibility features that you might see.

Otherwise

You will need to manually boot to the iso image that is now mounted. With the image already mounted, via virtual disk or USB drive, turn on the server and either enter the bios or boot menu. Usually this is done by hitting the F12 key repeatedly as soon as you start seeing the spash screen come up. This might also be the delete or F2 key depending on the manufacturer.

Once you have entered the menu, you will want to manually select the drive you have mounted. It will usually look like some kind of custom drive that wouldn't come by default in the server, but again, will be different depending on the manufacturer.

Installing the OS

Now that you have booted to the installation drive, you will generally follow the default steps. The interface will be different depending on if you are using a desktop image or server image, but the information you enter will be the same. Thankfully our current OS install process is pretty similar to what Cobbler is doing, but we will still need to set up some manual configurations here.

  • Set the time zone as New York
  • Set the keyboard as default
  • You will want to do a standard installation
  • Ideally you will be connected to a wired network, but this is not strictly required for OS install
  • Set "your name" to "cocinstance"
  • Set the machine name to the hostname that has been decided for the machine
    • The hostname should be formatted as the FQDN <HOSTNAME.cc.gatech.edu>
    • It is fine if you get a warning that the hostname already exists on the network
  • Set the username to "cocinstance"
  • Use the standard TSO root password
  • For partitioning, you will default to setting up the entire disk as LVM
  • Everything else should be the defaults as you wait for the OS to install

After the OS is installed

Now that salt is up and running, our OS installation process is almost identical whether you use cobbler or iso. All you need to do is manually enroll the server into salt. Once you do this, you will be able to follow the server deployment checklist as with any other server.

Future Work

  • Document setting up Rhel
  • Document setting up custom partitions and RAID

 

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