CentOS on D03/D05

Installing CentOS on D03s/D05s is simple and requires three steps using mr-provisioner.

Flashing a new firmware

To flash the new firmware, follow these steps:

1. First, boot the machine and wait for the UEFI boot prompt and select the EBL option, as described /wiki/spaces/CTT/pages/25088393943.
2. Then enter the FTP command line as described here.

To know what firmware you need for which ERP/CentOS version, contact the SDI/Server groups at LEG.

Here's a list of the know firmware/ERP pairs available in the MLab:

To upload your own firmware to the FTP, contact the SDI group with FTP instructions. Remember to chmod new dir/files, or the update process won't be able to see it.

Choosing the right PXE options

Using mr-provisioner, edit the machine you want and add these options:

1. Kernel/initrd: Make sure they're the same and compatible
2. Kernel opts: You have to set two important flags:
   1. init.stage2: set this to the URL of where you downloaded the kernel/initrd
   2. noverifyssl: necessary on first install, as UEFI's date is not set on first boot, and CentOS forces HTTPS downloads (and certificate is invalid). Remaining installs don't need this.
   3. inst.cmdline: if you're using a kickstart script, this makes sure there are no interruptions
   4. acpi=on: this may not be necessary, but CentOS only works with ACPI, so doesn't hurt
3. A good Anaconda KickStart script (the one attached here is a good start)
4. Netboot enabled: Yes

Example:

Download kernel/initrd from http://builds.96boards.org/snapshots/reference-platform/components/centos-installer-staging/97/images/pxeboot/

Set init.stage2 to http://builds.96boards.org/snapshots/reference-platform/components/centos-installer-staging/97/

This will download the squashfs.img from: http://builds.96boards.org/snapshots/reference-platform/components/centos-installer-staging/97/LiveOS/

Press the [PXE Boot] button and follow the console without interruptions.

To learn about all kernel arguments for the PXE installer, check this page.

To learn about all Anaconda's Kick Start script options, read this.

Running the installer

After boot, it can take up to 15 minutes to get to the PXE boot Grub. Go make some tea.

As soon as Grub downloads the kernel/initrd, that'll setup the network and it'll download squashfs's stage 2 image.

If you selected the Kickstart + inst.cmdline, the whole process will proceed without interruptions.

After the installation process starts, it can take up to 15 minutes more to finish. Go walk the dog.

Installer options

If you haven't selected inst.cmdline, the installer will ask you what type you want.

If you want to use VNC, you'll have to attach it somehow. If you just want a minimal install, use the Kick Start script attached here and select "text mode".

If you have added the right KS file in the machine setup and have chosen inst.cmdline, the installation will proceed automatically.

Restarting

Finally, the installation will say it finished. If all went well, you should be able to reboot (no PXE) and wait long enough for a CentOS prompt.

Change Passwords

If you followed the kick start file above, the root password is "centos" and the user "centos" has password "centos" and has sudo.

Change the passwords immediately!