TOPIC: PXE-Based Installation

This guide details how to install your workstation using PXEboot

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Preparing the Server
This section applies to running the necessary services and configuring your network.

1. Become root user
   • Either over ssh or in the terminal, become the root user by logging in as root, or typing "su -" [Enter].
2. Install necessary packages
   • Assuming your server will be a YDL machine, type "yum install dhcp tftp-server syslinux" [Enter].
   • Answer "yes" to any prompts.
3. Configure TFTP
   • Type "nano /etc/xinetd.d/tftp" [Enter] and change the following before saving:

     "disable = yes" --> "disable = no".

4. Isolate your network
   • The subnet of workstation(s) must be isolated from outside networks.
   • This can be most simply achieved by simply connecting the workstation(s) to a switch with the server and no other connections.
5. Copy necessary files
   • You should have a folder "/tftpboot", if not type "mkdir /tftpboot" [Enter].
   • Type "cp /usr/lib/syslinux/pxelinux.0 /tftpboot" [Enter].
   • Load and mount your YDL installation media on the server.
   • Type "cp /"path to media"/images/vmlinuz /tftpboot" [Enter].
   • Type "cp /"path to media"/images/initrd.img /tftpboot" [Enter].
   • Unmount and eject your YDL installation media from the server.
6. Config pxeboot
   • Type "mkdir -p /tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg" [Enter].
   • Type "nano /tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/default" [Enter].
   • Enter the following into the file before saving:

     DEFAULT ydel-install
     
     LABEL ydel-install
         kernel vmlinuz
         append initrd=initrd.img
     
     PROMPT 0
     TIMEOUT 0

7. Set static IP
   • Type "ifconfig" [Enter].
   • Take note of your network interfaces, one should be "eth0"/
   • Type "nano /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0" [Enter].
   • Delete the contents of the file, and change / add the following before saving:

     BOOTPROTO=none
     ONBOOT=yes
     TYPE=Ethernet
     PEERDNS=yes
     NETMASK=255.255.255.0
     IPADDR=192.168.0.1
     GATEWAY=192.168.0.1
     

8. Config DHCPD
   • Type "nano /etc/dhcpd.conf" [Enter].
   • Delete the contents of the file, and type the following before saving:

     ddns-update-style interim;
     ignore client-updates;
     
     subnet 192.168.1.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
     
         allow booting;
         allow bootp;
     
         # --- default gateway
         option domain-name [domainname_here]; <-- Make sure to replace!!!
         option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;
         option routers 192.168.0.1;
         option domain-name-servers 192.168.0.1;
     
         range dynamic-bootp 192.168.0.1 192.168.0.254;
         default-lease-time 86400;
         max-lease-time 86400;
     
         group {
             # PXE-specific configuration directives...
             next-server 192.168.0.1;
             filename "pxelinux.0";
     
             # You need an entry like this for every host
             # unless you're using dynamic addresses
             host [hostname_here] { <-- Make sure to replace!!!
                 hardware ethernet [MACaddress_here]; <-- Make sure to replace!!!
                 fixed-address [staticIP_here]; <-- Make sure to replace!!!
                 option host-name "[hostname_here]"; <-- Make sure to replace!!!
             }
         }
     }

9. Start Services
   • Type "service network restart" [Enter].
   • Type "service xinetd restart" [Enter].
   • Type "service dhcpd restart" [Enter].

Installing on target workstation
Now that services are setup and running on the server we need only enter PXEboot mode and install.

Installation:

1. Turn on your workstation and press the key related to a network boot or boot choice menu.
   • If you have multiple network interfaces, and get an error that no cable is connected, chose your other option.
   • If you have a single network interface, or all interface selections return an error, check your connections.
2. Once successfully at language choice menu, you can continue to follow the guide to install.

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This HOWTO was prepared by Owen Stampflee and Matt Watson, Fixstars Solutions, Inc.