Topic: SME installation with a 'standard' set of config files

[Peter]

Has anyone manged to build their own SME installation disk that has a preconfigured setup, i.e. all the installation questions already answered.

Cheers,

Peter.

[Ray Mitchell]

Here's the next best thing.
If you instal SME the first time & then configure it, you can create a reinstall disk from server manager that has all the configuration details on it.
Additionally you can also do a backup to desktop of your cleanly installed and set up server (backs up users & ibays etc).

You can boot from the reinstall disk then do a fresh instal that will have all the configuration details as per the reinstall disk.
Then you can restore from the backup file and you have fully configured server with users and ibays etc.
Regs
Ray

[Peter]

Of course!!!

Thank you Ray for pointing out the blindingly obvious, I am REALY starting to like these forums.

Off to play with a floppy disk now.

ta,

Peter.

[Scott Smith]

I thought the reinstall disk was a wonderful idea... which is why we requested it (and paid to have it added) way back in version 4.0

Better stop now, lest I start to sound like a bit "Dick-ish"  ;~)

As to your question, yes, you can also create a CD. Follow Darrell's how-to on contribs.org.

For SME 6 you'll need to
-- copy ./images/boot.img to ./images/cdboot.img
-- loopback mount cdboot.img
-- modify the syslinux.cfg file (see bootnet.img for hints)
-- use cdboot.img as the boot image for mkisofs

Then modify the install/update kickstart file/s to mimic what happens on the reinstall floppy.

You will no doubt have a few tweaks here and there, everyone does, but that's the basic process.

Tweaks? I add the current SME updates, replacing the older versions, and also add things like the IBM Broadcom drivers, the Java2 Runtime, and a number of other goodies. You can add these to the ./e-smith/base/comps file, or you can put them in the %packages section of kickstart, or you can use the %post section to load them. I also install a number of custom templates, control panels, and scripts that I have written -- that are specific to my business, so don't ask for them Except that I have to function in both US and Canadian installations and so need the language and time zone options, my boot CD is pretty much soup to nuts automated.

[Peter]

Woah, time to brush the dust of my geek hat and start delving into linux stuff again, I have sucessfully surfed over the top for quite a while now and praying to the god of good installs that everything worked out ot the box.

I am in the UK so no obvious clash of interests in clients......

Thanks for the info, I'll start working through the list.

ta,

Peter.