******************************** ChrInst *************************************** Unofficial PLD Linux installer ******************************************************************************** ChrInst is a simple tool designed to install PLD-Linux from network. ChrInst isn't standalone installer, ChrInst need any working system (see Requirements). Quick Howto ----------- 1. Download most recent version of ChrInst $ wget http://qwiat.icenter.pl/chrinst/chrinst.tar.gz 2. Extract archive: $ tar -xzf chrinst.tar.gz 3. Enter the directory: $ cd chrinst Run ChrInst as root: $ sudo ./chrinst and follow the White Rabbit... :) Supported PLD releases ---------------------- * th (3.0): current, stable release (recommended) * th-test (3.0): unstable packages (th + th-ready + th-test), for brave users Features -------- * text UI and batch mode (just fire and pray) * creates filesystems (ext2, ext3, ext4, xfs, reiserfs, jfs) * provides support for software RAID and LVM2 * allow to use available partitions or run automatic LVM creation (new-layout) * create LVM by default if 'new layout' selected (chrinst) * 'new-alyout' option try to leave some unassigned free space for future purposes. more in Disk Layouts section. * easy to change default values, just look into 'lib/' directory * ChrInst supports GPT partitions (since 1.2 version). Chrinst will enabel GPT by default for block devices >2TB. You can also force GPT by `--gpt` argument. Versions -------- Console based (starts in 3rd runlevel, uses rc based networking): * minimal: small as possible, only for geeks * base: 'base' is minimal with count of useful utils: man, iputils-ping, sudo syslog-ng. This is good choice if you want start adventure with PLD * base-server: 'base' + utils like: iptables, SSH Server, tcpdump, iotop, mutt with local mail delivery (based on masqmail) X11 based (starts in 5th runlevel, uses NetworkManager): * gnome: GNOME Desktop * kde: KDE Desktop Warning: there are some problems with this versions. You can select 'base' instead and install rest of packages. If you need more packages, you must set 'customPackages' option in config file (see chrinst.conf.example). Then just run 'batch_install'. For more informations see files in lib/versions and lib/psets dirctories. Disk Layouts ------------ * current-layout - allow to select avalilable partitions/volumes * desktop (new-layout) - automatic mode with dynamic space allocation for: '/' '/home' and swap. This layout leave 20% of free space on VG. * server (new-layout) - automatic mode with fixed space allocation for: '/' '/var' '/home' '/tmp' and swap. More in lib/disk-layouts/server file. You can redesign LVM layout after installation, please see Post-Install section. Limitations and known bugs -------------------------- * supports for single swap space only * x86 and x86_64 architectures * GRUB2 bootloader only * Chrinst is unable to create automatically 'new-layout' on smaller disks than 10GiB * Chrinst can't create 'new-layout' on disk with active LVM. You have to deactivate LVM first. * RPM problems durning installing 'gnome' or 'kde' versions. * If error occured: grub-probe: error: no mapping exists for `vgsys-rootfs' Auto-detection of a filesystem module failed. Please specify the module with the option `--modules' explicitly. You probably try to install PLD on new mdadm software RAID. GRUB 2 in 1.97 version don't understand metadata in 1.2 version (created by default). Try to force 0.90 version (-e option), more in mdadm manual. Requirements ------------ * rpm * poldek (http://poldek.pld-linux.org/) * gpm * bc * LVM2 utils * working network All above are provided by PLD-Live.th (http://livecd.pld-linux.org) and PLD-RecueCD (http://rescuecd.pld-linux.org/). Tips ---- * 'new layout' mode leave 20% of free space on VG for any purpose in the future, see 'Extending filesystem' section below. * Chrinst won't create filesystem (destroy data) on partition/LV if 'current' selected. Filesystem will be mounted only. (good choice for existing /home) * If you need config file only (without installation) just run chrinst and select "Save config and Exit" in Summary step. * You can use other PLD mirror. Please take a look into the lib/poldek-releases/{pld-release} file. This is Poldek's configuration file. You have to change `_host` macro. * You can change default settings of new-layout in lib/disk-layouts/* Feel free to use macros: HDSIZE() RAMSIZE() FREESPACE() PLD-Linux Installation HowTo ================================================================================ Quick Guide ----------- Using ChrInst is quite simple: 1. Boot PLD-Live.th or PLD RescueCD (this distrios contains ChrInst but may be outdated) 2. Start networking (start automaticly in most cases) 3 Check for most recen version on http://qwiat.icenter.pl/chrinst (see below) 4. Run 'chrinst' as root Detailed HowTo with PLD-Live.th (http://livecd.pld-linux.org) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Download and boot most recent PLD-Live.th 2. Log in as 'live' user 3. Configure network interface (DHCP by default) or use NetworkManager 4. Prepare partitions/RAID/LVM devices before run if you need specific layout: $ sudo cfdisk /dev/sdX 5. Run chrinst as root: $ sudo chrinst/chrinst 6. Follow configuration steps, run installation and wait patiently 7. Reboot machine when installation finished: $ sudo reboot Geting most recent version of ChrInst -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Download latest version: $ wget http://qwiat.icenter.pl/chrinst/chrinst.tar.gz 2. Extract files from archive to any diectory ('chrinst' by default): $ tar -xzf chrinst.tar.gz 3. Enter to the 'chrinst' directory: $ cd chrinst Batch installation from remote configuration file -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At first You need a configuration file created manualy or by chrinst tool, just save configuration file after configuration steps. ChrInst can use the configuration file in other location - You need only to set valid URL. Supported protocols: HTTP and FTP # ./batch_install [URL|local file] examples: HTTP (wget syntax): # .batch_install http://foo.bar/chrinst.conf FTP (anonymous): # ./batch_install ftp://bar.foo/chrinst.conf FTP with authorisation: # ./batch_install ftp://mylogin:mypass@bar.foo/chrinst.conf Post-Install ================================================================================ Extending filesystem -------------------- If You need to allocate some emaining free space of your VolumeGroup (only if automatic-layout used), You have to do this a few simple steps: 1. Extend your LogicalVolume of {NUM} gigabytes: # lvextend -L +{NUM}G /dev/sys/LV 2. Resize filesystem (ext4 by default) # resize2fs /dev/sys/LV example for rootfs: # lvextend -L +10G /dev/sys/rootfs # resize2fs /dev/sys/rootfs 2. Extending swap space: # swapoff /dev/sys/swap # lvextend -L +2G /dev/sys/swap # mkswap /dev/sys/swap # swapoff /dev/sys/swap Warranty ================================================================================ You may lost your data, use this software at your our own risk ******************************************************************************** author: Pawel Kwiatkowski (qwiat) homepage: http://qwiat.icenter.pl/chrinst email/jid: qwiat(at)pld-linux(dot)org