Aaron Crane - GBdirect

Mass Unattended Linux Installations

Paper (HTML)

Linux systems are typically installed by loading an installation program from some appropriate boot medium and then 'hand-holding' that installation program through a series of configuration questions. There are many cases however where interaction with the installation software is not appropriate. Often it is more important to be able to repeatably install and configure a system in a predetermined way; examples include the nodes of a Beowulf cluster, public-access internet access kiosks, and computer laboratories in schools and universities.

This talk covers:

• Obstacles to achieving unattended installation;
• Tools for building automatic-installation solutions;
• A case study, describing special requirements unmet by any of the existing automatic-installation tools, and how these needs were met.