Difference between revisions of "Diskless netboot"
 
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−
Diskless server / workstation using netboot
+
[[Category:Linux]]
  
  
−
NFS is a technology that allow you to share some files and folders over the network. So:
+
==Target folder tree (server side)==
−
* All the clients will share the installation, configuration files and so on.
 
−
* Each client will run a dedicated instance of the operating system
 
−
* Logs will be centralized on the common NFS server - so we don't loose data on each reboot.
 
  
−
You must have a working DHCP server + NetBoot before starting this part.
+
This is how we'll setup our files and folders:
  
−
 
−
Requirements:
 
−
* [[DHCP server]]
 
−
* [[NetBoot server]]
 
−
 
−
 
−
Optional:
 
−
* [[DNS server]]
 
−
 
−
 
−
 
−
=Aim=
 
−
 
−
In order to be super effective:
 
−
* Each client distribution will have its own kernel support (''vmlinuz'' + ''initrd.img'' files)
 
−
* All the distributions will be under the same root
 
−
* Both NFS and TFTP will share the same root folder
 
−
* The user will be able to choose the O.S to use using a PXE menu
 
−
 
−
 
−
Target folder tree:
 
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
−
 
 
# TFTP root
 
# TFTP root
−
/tftpboot/                                
+
/tftpboot/                                  
−
 
 
−
# Ubuntu installation NetBoot disk
 
−
/tftpboot/rescue/                         
 
  
 
###############
 
###############
 
# Network bootable image(s) using NFS technology
 
# Network bootable image(s) using NFS technology
−
################
+
################      
−
/tftpboot/nfs/           
 
  
 
#### Boot file             
 
#### Boot file             
−
/tftpboot/nfs/pxelinux.0                  # Initial boot file - only use to load the PXE NetBoot manager
+
/tftpboot/pxelinux.0                  # Initial boot file - only use to load the PXE NetBoot manager
−
/tftpboot/nfs/{menu.c32 || vesamenu.c32}  # PXE interactive menu managers (text or graphical)
+
/tftpboot/{menu.c32 || vesamenu.c32}  # PXE interactive menu managers (text or graphical)
−
/tftpboot/nfs/pxelinux.cfg/                # PXE configuration(s)
+
/tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/                # PXE configuration(s)
−
/tftpboot/nfs/pxelinux.cfg/default        # default PXE configuration
+
/tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/default        # default PXE configuration
  
 
#### Kernel file
 
#### Kernel file
 +
 +
/tftpboot/images/     
  
 
# Debian 7.x [Wheezy]  
 
# Debian 7.x [Wheezy]  
−
/tftpboot/nfs/kernel/wheezy/   
+
/tftpboot/images/wheezy/   
−
/tftpboot/nfs/kernel/wheezy/vmlinuz
+
/tftpboot/images/wheezy/vmlinuz
−
/tftpboot/nfs/kernel/wheezy/initrd.img
+
/tftpboot/images/wheezy/initrd.img
  
−
# Ubuntu 14.04 [Trusty]  
+
# [X]Ubuntu 14.04 [Trusty]  
−
/tftpboot/nfs/kernel/trusty/   
+
/tftpboot/images/trusty/   
−
/tftpboot/nfs/kernel/trusty/vmlinuz
+
/tftpboot/images/trusty/vmlinuz
−
/tftpboot/nfs/kernel/trusty/initrd.img
+
/tftpboot/images/trusty/initrd.img
  
  
 
#### NFS  
 
#### NFS  
 
# This is where the runnable will be. Each image will be in a dedicated folder.
 
# This is where the runnable will be. Each image will be in a dedicated folder.
−
/tftpboot/nfs/images/                     
+
/nfs/                     
  
 
# Debian 7.x [Wheezy]  
 
# Debian 7.x [Wheezy]  
−
/tftpboot/nfs/images/wheezy/   
+
/nfs/wheezy/   
  
 
# Ubuntu 14.04 [Trusty]  
 
# Ubuntu 14.04 [Trusty]  
−
/tftpboot/nfs/images/trusty/                  
+
/nfs/trusty/
−
 
 
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
</syntaxhighlight>
  
  
  
 +
==Client overview==
  
−
=Installation=
+
Each client must have, at least, 4 Go of RAM.
  
  
−
'''NFS support'''
+
===4 GO RAM configuration===
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
apt-get install nfs-kernel-server nfs-common
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
  
−
'''Debootstrap (manage netboot image)'''
+
This is how we're gonna populate the client:
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
apt-get install debootstrap
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
  
 +
[[File:Client_composition.png|480px|NetBoot client RAM overview - 4Go]]
  
−
'''Initramfs (to manage "virtual disks")'''
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
apt-get install initramfs-tools
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
  
 +
As you can see, each client will have some space dedicated for swap + some RAMdisk to allow writing in /var, /tmp and /proc.
  
  
 +
Configuration of a '''4Go RAM''' disk:
 +
* No swap
 +
* Local TMPFS (read/write for /dev, /tmp, ...) : 1 Go
 +
** /tmp      = 512 M
 +
** /var/tmp  = 128 M
 +
** /var/log  = 128 M
 +
** /var/run  = 8 M
 +
** /var/lock = 8 M
 +
** /run/shm  = 256 M
 +
* O.S (NFS read only) : all the rest ~ 2.8 Go
 +
* Common share (NFS read write) : ''Remote disk''
  
  
−
=Preparation=
 
  
−
You have to create a dedicated folder on your server where you will host the client image.
+
===2 Go===
  
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
+
Due to budget restriction we might encounter some low memory machines with only 2 Go...
−
mkdir -p /tftpboot/nfs/pxelinux.cfg
 
−
mkdir -p /tftpboot/nfs/images
 
−
mkdir -p /tftpboot/nfs/kernel
 
−
chmod -R 777 /tftpboot/nfs
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
  
  
−
The ''pxelinux.cfg/'' folder is mandatory. Inside you can provide:
+
This is how we're gonna populate the client:
−
* configuration for a specific IP @ or hostname
 
−
* configuration for a group
 
−
* default configuration (required)
 
  
 +
[[File:Client_mount_points_2Go.png|480px|NetBoot client RAM overview - 2Go]]
  
  
−
=Kernel boot=
+
In case of '''2Go RAM''' then you have to use some tricks:
 +
* No swap
 +
* O.S (NFS read only) : ~ 1.2 Go
 +
* Common share (NFS read write) : ''Remote disk''
 +
* Local TMPFS (read/write for /dev, /tmp, ...) : all the rest
 +
** /tmp      = 372 M
 +
** /var/tmp  = auto
 +
** /var/log  = 128 M
 +
** /var/run  = auto
 +
** /var/lock = auto
 +
** /run/shm  = auto
  
−
The first thing to do is to setup a booting kernel. To do so we'll use the "syslinux" files.
 
  
  
−
==Root file: pxelinux.0==
+
==How big is the client image ?==
−
 
 
−
The '''pxelinux.0''' is the root file. That's the file that allows the netboot. It MUST be at the root of our NFS server.
 
−
 
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
cp /usr/lib/syslinux/pxelinux.0 /tftpboot/nfs/
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
==Create NetBoot menu | defaults==
 
−
 
 
−
Now, we have to specify which kernel to use and which distributions are available for NetBoot.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
Create the default configuration file:
 
−
 
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
vim /tftpboot/nfs/pxelinux.cfg/default
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
Put the following:
 
−
 
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
# Debian 7.x
 
−
LABEL wheezy
 
−
    kernel kernel/wheezy/vmlinuz
 
−
    initrd kernel/wheezy/initrd.img
 
−
 
 
−
# Ubuntu 14.04
 
−
LABEL trusty
 
−
    kernel kernel/trusty/vmlinuz
 
−
    initrd kernel/trusty/initrd.img
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
# Prompt user for selection
 
−
PROMPT 1
 
−
# No timeout
 
−
TIMEOUT 0
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
 
−
* Each LABEL is a specific configuration that will displayed on the NetBoot menu.
 
−
* PROMPT 0 = enable user prompt so you can choose the configuration
 
−
* TIMEOUT 0 = timeout (in seconds) before the default option is chosen. 0 == no timeout
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
Note that I used a reference to "trusty/", that's a folder I need to create later on.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
=NFS server setup=
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
==Configuration==
 
−
 
 
−
The NFS configuration is done in the '''/etc/exports''' file
 
−
 
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
vim /etc/exports
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
Add something like that:
 
−
 
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
  /tftpboot/nfs    192.168.2.0/24(ro,no_root_squash,no_subtree_check,async,insecure)
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
Adjust "192.168.2.0/24" to your own network address
 
−
 
 
−
* rw : Allow clients to read as well as write access
 
−
* ro : Read only access
 
−
* insecure : Tells the NFS server to use unpriveledged ports (ports > 1024).
 
−
* no_subtree_check : If the entire volume (/users) is exported, disabling this check will speed up transfers.
 
−
* async : async will speed up transfers.
 
−
* no_root_squash: This phrase allows root to connect to the designated directory.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
- NOTE -
 
−
 
 
−
It's always a good idea to use Read-Only if you plan to share this disk.
 
−
 
 
−
That will avoid user to mess with your image!
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
==Security==
 
−
 
 
−
Like TFTP, this part is insecure !
 
−
 
 
−
You must restrict the access to your NFS server by a firewall script and filtering BEFORE reaching the LAN !
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
NFS is using dynamic ports numbers because it runs over '''rpcbind'''. Making NFS using specifics port is a pain in the ass !! :(
 
−
 
 
−
So, instead of that you should allow your LAN communication.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
    IPTABLES=`which iptables`
 
−
    LAN_ADDRESS="192.168.2.0/24"
 
−
 
 
−
    # Allow LAN communication
 
−
    $IPTABLES -A INPUT -s $LAN_ADDRESS -d $LAN_ADDRESS -m state ! --state INVALID -j ACCEPT
 
−
    $IPTABLES -A OUTPUT -s $LAN_ADDRESS -d $LAN_ADDRESS -m state ! --state INVALID -j ACCEPT
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
==Management==
 
−
 
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
service nfs-kernel-server {status|start|stop|restart}
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
==Test the server==
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
Install the NFS v4 client:
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
apt-get install nfs-common
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
To mount the default path:
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
mount -t nfs nfs-server:/ /mnt
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
 
−
You'll see: "/mnt/tftpboot/nfs"
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
It's better to do:
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
mount -t nfs nfs-server:/tftpboot/nfs /mnt
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
  
 +
By default the ''deboostrap'' Ubuntu 14.04 LTS image is 239 Mo. With the applications we're gonna use that size will increase to about 1 or '''1.3 Go''' depending if you copy (or not) the kernel sources. It may even take 1.6 Go if you're using XFCE frontend.
  
  
Line 274: Line 112:
  
 
The main ones are:
 
The main ones are:
−
* debootstrap
 
−
* copying the install from your server
 
−
* Manual install on a client, then, when the system is ready, copy everything to the NFS share
 
  
 +
* Manually
 +
** debootstrap
 +
** copying the install from your server
 +
** Manual install on a client, then, when the system is ready, copy everything to the NFS share
  
 +
* Using script and software like "Puppet" or "Chef"
  
−
==Setup client distribution==
 
  
  
−
===Setup distribution folder===
+
==Setup client distribution==
  
 
You have to create one target for each distribution you want to serve:
 
You have to create one target for each distribution you want to serve:
  
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
−
mkdir -p /tftpboot/nfs/images/trusty
+
mkdir -p /nfs/trusty
−
mkdir -p /tftpboot/nfs/images/wheezy
+
mkdir -p /nfs/wheezy
 +
mkdir -p /nfs/common
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 +
  
 
- NOTES -  
 
- NOTES -  
 +
 
* The folder name should match your NetBoot settings. Folder name = a LABEL in the NetBoot config.
 
* The folder name should match your NetBoot settings. Folder name = a LABEL in the NetBoot config.
 +
 
* The folder name should match a Linux (Debian like) distribution name
 
* The folder name should match a Linux (Debian like) distribution name
−
 
−
 
−
===Populate the content===
 
−
 
−
'''Debian 7.x'''
 
−
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
cd /tftpboot/nfs/images/wheezy
 
−
debootstrap wheezy /tftpboot/nfs/images/wheezy
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
−
 
−
 
−
'''Ubuntu 14.04'''
 
−
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
cd /tftpboot/nfs/images/trusty
 
−
debootstrap trusty /tftpboot/nfs/images/trusty
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
  
  
Line 322: Line 146:
  
 
* Automatic [Puppet || Chef] configuration: [[Diskless image configuration - script setup]]
 
* Automatic [Puppet || Chef] configuration: [[Diskless image configuration - script setup]]
 +
 +
  
  
Line 333: Line 159:
  
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
−
cd /tftpboot/nfs/images
+
cd /nfs
 
tar cvpjf trusty.tar.bz2 ./trusty
 
tar cvpjf trusty.tar.bz2 ./trusty
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
</syntaxhighlight>
Line 341: Line 167:
  
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
−
cd /tftpboot/nfs/images
+
cd /nfs
 
tar -xvjf trusty.tar.bz2
 
tar -xvjf trusty.tar.bz2
 
</syntaxhighlight>
 
</syntaxhighlight>
  
 +
=PXE interactive menu=
  
 +
You can create interactive NetBoot menus, see:
 +
* [[PXE interactive menu - single level]]
 +
* [[PXE interactive menu - multi level]]
  
  
−
 
−
=Adjust TFTP root=
 
−
 
−
You must adjust the TFTP root to match the NFS root !!
 
−
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
vim /etc/default/tftpd-hpa
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
−
 
−
Adjust the file like that:
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
RUN_DAEMON="yes"
 
−
OPTIONS="--secure"
 
−
TFTP_ADDRESS="0.0.0.0:69"
 
−
TFTP_USERNAME="tftp"
 
−
TFTP_DIRECTORY="/tftpboot/nfs"
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
−
 
−
Notice the RUN_DAEMON instruction + the new TFTP_DIRECTORY
 
  
  
 +
=Local server monitoring=
  
−
=Custom NetBoot configuration=
+
Install the following services:
 +
* [[SNMP client]]
 +
* [[Zabbix agent setup]]
  
  
−
==Basic configuration==
 
  
−
You can setup your own netboot configuration.
 
  
−
To do so, you can re-use one of the syslinux templates:
+
=Other services=
  
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
# Create folders
 
−
mkdir /tftpboot/nfs/pxelinux.cfg/
 
  
−
# Create configuration files
+
==File sharing==
−
cp /usr/lib/syslinux/pxelinux.0 /pxe-boot/
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
  
 +
If you want to expose the NFS common folder as a file-share, you have to install and configure Samba. See: [[Samba server]]
  
  
 +
''Note''
  
−
==Advanced menu==
+
Samba is actually better than NFS for the file-share. You should remove Common from /etc/exports and use a samba share instead.
  
−
===Install menu manager===
 
  
−
Text menu:
 
  
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
+
==Management UI (webmin)==
−
cp /usr/lib/syslinux/menu.c32 /pxe-boot/
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
  
 +
Since there is a lot of services to manage, it's always convenient to use an UI for it. Check [[Webmin]]
  
−
Graphic menu:
 
  
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
cp /usr/lib/syslinux/vesamenu.c32 /pxe-boot/
 
−
cp /mySuperPicture/logo.png /pxe-boot/pxelinux.cfg/
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
  
−
The associate picture must be a '''PNG 800x600''' picture.
+
==VPN server==
  
 +
See [[VPN]]
  
−
===Configure boot options===
 
  
−
Then edit the PXE boot file:
 
  
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
+
==Apache2 server==
−
vim /pxe-boot/pxelinux.cfg/default
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
  
 +
See [[Apache 2]]
  
−
Put:
 
  
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
#### GENERIC OPTIONS #####
 
−
# Enable text menu
 
−
#DEFAULT menu.c32
 
−
# Enable graphical menu
 
−
DEFAULT vesamenu.c32
 
−
# Prompt for user input? (0 = choose from menu, 1 = you can type anything)
 
−
PROMPT 0
 
−
# Allow or not the user to left the menu (1 = user is locked to the menu)
 
−
NOESCAPE 1
 
−
# Time before using default option
 
−
TIMEOUT 50
 
  
  
−
#### Menu settings #####
 
−
MENU TITLE my super netboot menu
 
−
MENU BACKGROUND pxelinux.cfg/logo.png
 
−
MENU WIDTH 80
 
−
MENU ROWS 14
 
−
MENU MARGIN 10
 
  
 +
=References=
  
−
#### Distributions #####
+
Ubuntu diskless how-to: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DisklessUbuntuHowto
−
# Ubuntu 14.04
 
−
LABEL trusty
 
−
    MENU LABEL Ubuntu 14.04 (trusty)
 
−
    MENU DEFAULT
 
−
    # Kernel and boot files
 
−
    KERNEL images/trusty/vmlinuz
 
−
    ### Boot options
 
−
    # Set NFS share as default root
 
−
    append boot=nfs root=/dev/nfs initrd=images/trusty/initrd.img nfsroot=192.168.2.2:/pxe-boot/images/trusty
 
−
 
 
−
# Debian wheezy
 
−
    MENU LABEL Debian Wheezy
 
−
    # Kernel and boot files
 
−
    KERNEL images/wheezy/vmlinuz
 
−
    append boot=nfs root=/dev/nfs initrd=images/wheezy/initrd.img nfsroot=192.168.2.2:/pxe-boot/images/wheezy
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
Note all the "MENU" commands + PROMPT 0
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
=Security notes=
 
−
 
 
−
in order to work you must adjust the rights of your "/var/lib/tftpboot/".
 
  
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
chmod 777 /pxe-boot/*
 
−
chmod 777 /pxe-boot/pxelinux.cfg/*
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
  
 +
Mind reference: http://mindref.blogspot.se/2011/03/debian-diskless.html
  
  
−
 
−
=DHCP note=
 
−
 
−
Don't forget to adjust your DHCP configuration if you plan to serve a specific file for a client!
 
−
 
−
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
−
vim /etc/dhcp/dhcp.conf
 
−
</syntaxhighlight>
 
−
 
−
 
−
 
−
 
−
 
−
=References=
 
−
 
−
Ubuntu diskless how-to: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DisklessUbuntuHowto
 
 
Super video tutorials:  
 
Super video tutorials:  
 
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js9imsrqAMk
 
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js9imsrqAMk
 
* http://www.stepladder-it.com/bivblog/14/ to /16/
 
* http://www.stepladder-it.com/bivblog/14/ to /16/
 
* https://blog.dlasley.net/2013/01/pxe-server-ubuntu/
 
* https://blog.dlasley.net/2013/01/pxe-server-ubuntu/
 +
 +
 +
Nice explanation of PXE process: http://www.linux.com/learn/docs/ldp/497-Diskless-root-NFS-HOWTO
 +
 +
* How to improved /etc/fstab: http://www.askapache.com/optimize/super-speed-secrets.html

Latest revision as of 14:37, 21 August 2014


Target folder tree (server side)

This is how we'll setup our files and folders: 

# TFTP root
/tftpboot/                                   

###############
# Network bootable image(s) using NFS technology
################       

#### Boot file            
/tftpboot/pxelinux.0                   # Initial boot file - only use to load the PXE NetBoot manager
/tftpboot/{menu.c32 || vesamenu.c32}   # PXE interactive menu managers (text or graphical)
/tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/                # PXE configuration(s)
/tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/default         # default PXE configuration

#### Kernel file

/tftpboot/images/      

# Debian 7.x [Wheezy] 
/tftpboot/images/wheezy/   
/tftpboot/images/wheezy/vmlinuz
/tftpboot/images/wheezy/initrd.img

# [X]Ubuntu 14.04 [Trusty] 
/tftpboot/images/trusty/  
/tftpboot/images/trusty/vmlinuz
/tftpboot/images/trusty/initrd.img


#### NFS 
# This is where the runnable will be. Each image will be in a dedicated folder.
/nfs/                    

# Debian 7.x [Wheezy] 
/nfs/wheezy/   

# Ubuntu 14.04 [Trusty] 
/nfs/trusty/


Client overview

Each client must have, at least, 4 Go of RAM.


4 GO RAM configuration

This is how we're gonna populate the client:

NetBoot client RAM overview - 4Go


As you can see, each client will have some space dedicated for swap + some RAMdisk to allow writing in /var, /tmp and /proc.


Configuration of a 4Go RAM disk:

  • No swap
  • Local TMPFS (read/write for /dev, /tmp, ...) : 1 Go
    • /tmp = 512 M
    • /var/tmp = 128 M
    • /var/log = 128 M
    • /var/run = 8 M
    • /var/lock = 8 M
    • /run/shm = 256 M
  • O.S (NFS read only) : all the rest ~ 2.8 Go
  • Common share (NFS read write) : Remote disk


2 Go

Due to budget restriction we might encounter some low memory machines with only 2 Go...


This is how we're gonna populate the client:

NetBoot client RAM overview - 2Go


In case of 2Go RAM then you have to use some tricks:

  • No swap
  • O.S (NFS read only) : ~ 1.2 Go
  • Common share (NFS read write) : Remote disk
  • Local TMPFS (read/write for /dev, /tmp, ...) : all the rest
    • /tmp = 372 M
    • /var/tmp = auto
    • /var/log = 128 M
    • /var/run = auto
    • /var/lock = auto
    • /run/shm = auto


How big is the client image ?

By default the deboostrap Ubuntu 14.04 LTS image is 239 Mo. With the applications we're gonna use that size will increase to about 1 or 1.3 Go depending if you copy (or not) the kernel sources. It may even take 1.6 Go if you're using XFCE frontend.


NFS client image

There are different way to setup a NFS client image.

The main ones are:

  • Manually
    • debootstrap
    • copying the install from your server
    • Manual install on a client, then, when the system is ready, copy everything to the NFS share
  • Using script and software like "Puppet" or "Chef"


Setup client distribution

You have to create one target for each distribution you want to serve: 

mkdir -p /nfs/trusty
mkdir -p /nfs/wheezy
mkdir -p /nfs/common


- NOTES -

  • The folder name should match your NetBoot settings. Folder name = a LABEL in the NetBoot config.
  • The folder name should match a Linux (Debian like) distribution name


Configure client distribution



Backup distribution

You can create an archive of your current distribution for later restore / re-use.


Compression

cd /nfs
tar cvpjf trusty.tar.bz2 ./trusty


Restoration

cd /nfs
tar -xvjf trusty.tar.bz2

PXE interactive menu

You can create interactive NetBoot menus, see:



Local server monitoring

Install the following services:



Other services

File sharing

If you want to expose the NFS common folder as a file-share, you have to install and configure Samba. See: Samba server


Note

Samba is actually better than NFS for the file-share. You should remove Common from /etc/exports and use a samba share instead.


Management UI (webmin)

Since there is a lot of services to manage, it's always convenient to use an UI for it. Check Webmin


VPN server

See VPN


Apache2 server

See Apache 2



References

Ubuntu diskless how-to: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DisklessUbuntuHowto


Mind reference: http://mindref.blogspot.se/2011/03/debian-diskless.html


Super video tutorials:


Nice explanation of PXE process: http://www.linux.com/learn/docs/ldp/497-Diskless-root-NFS-HOWTO

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