Creating an auto-installing SLE 10 DVD

This document (7001823) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 Service Pack 2
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 Service Pack 1
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 2
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 1

Situation

In some scenarios it is not possible to use a PXE-based installation solution to install from a server while using autoYaST installation profiles.
In these cases the most feasible option may be to create a remastered SLED or SLES 10 installation DVD that only requires selection of the autoinstallation entry in the boot menu when the target machines are booted off of it.

Resolution

This procedure requires an autoYaST installation profile that applies to the hardware that you want to create a custom installation DVD for.
  • Mount the SLE 10 (SP*) DVD1 on your machine. In the commands below we are dealing with a SLES DVD.
  • Copy the whole content of it to a directory (that exists) - e.g. with a command like 
    # cp -var /media/dvd/* /tmp/sles_inst_root/
  • Change into the root directory of the unpacked installation medium (e.g. /tmp/sles_inst_root/)
  • Copy the autoyast profile be used for your custom installation DVD to . and name it autoinst.xml.
  • Edit the file boot/<$architecture>/loader/isolinux.cfg and add a section like this :
    # autoyast
    label Autoinstallation
      kernel linux
      append initrd=initrd splash=silent showopts instmode=cd autoyast=default
  • Save the file
  • If the target machines are not able to pull the DVD sleigh back in after it has been ejected, it is possible to signal to the operator that the installation is complete by ejecting the DVD during the final stage of the installation.
  • For this you need to add the following section to the autoinst.xml profile :
      <scripts>
        <post-scripts config:type="list">
          <script>
            <filename>eject-dvd.sh</filename>
            <interpreter>shell</interpreter>
            <source><![CDATA[
                             #!/bin/sh
                             /bin/eject
                             ]]>
            </source>
          </script>
        </post-scripts>
      </scripts>
  • It could for example be added in alphabetic order after the <runlevel> section.
  • Create a new ISO image (still from within the root directory of the unpacked image) with a command like this (all on one line) : 
    # mkisofs -V SLE10SP2.001 -r -J -l -L -iso-level 4 
-P "SUSE Linux AG" -b boot/x86_64/loader/isolinux.bin -c boot/x86_64/loader/boot.cat 
-no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table -graft-points 
-o /data/sle10sp2/sles10sp2i386custom.iso .
    
 
  • Burn the ISO image to a DVD with the application of your choice (k3b, cdrecord etc.).
Now boot a machine to be installed from this remastered SLE 10 SP* DVD, select Autoinstallation from the menu and enjoy the installation progress.

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

  • Document ID:7001823
  • Creation Date: 07-Nov-2008
  • Modified Date:14-Mar-2021
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

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