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Re: "autoinstall" with debian

I've mostly-completed an autoinstall environment with debian,
and repackaged 
ftp://autoinst.acs.uci.edu/pub/autoinstall/UCI-autoinstall.gtar.gz to
include support for autoinstalling debian systems.  The significance of
this for us isn't that we can load debian over NFS with little
interaction; it's that we get that with lots of handy UCI-specific tweaks
as part of the same procedure, done highly consistently across 5 of
our 6 supported unix variants (ultrix is too old and dead to bother).

Doc is minimal.  Assembly required (outside UCI).  There are rough edges.
But we have three systems "autoinstalled" with it, and they're doing well.
The second and third machines were much easier than the first, as one
might hope.

UCI has the basic framework it wants/needs.  We're starting to discuss
which workgroups to make our first linux clients.  :)

The debian version (so far) boots from a single floppy, bootp's for
IP-related info, does some NFS mounts, and runs on to completion
unattended given an appropriate install profile.  The environment can be
stel'd into (secure telnet) during the install.  Partitioning is -not-
done yet, but partitions to use are specified in a config file: /, /usr
and swap, with /usr and swap being optional.  Eventually, I believe the
boot floppy should ask for config info, if the bootp (or subsequent
NFS-access to the machine's config info) fails.

Most glaring, easy thing to fix: some packages that are fully loaded on
the system, are marked as being not fully installed.  I need to rig
something to add the Required Stuff to /var/lib/dpkg/status (magic file
located with stamp/check-stamp on an autoinstalled box :) so the packages
look fully installed.  dpkg doesn't Like half-way installed packages;
sometimes it's hard to install overtop of them, and also hard to remove
them.

What this works around: I wound up dpkg'ing with stdin coming from
/dev/null; so far this does a full post install where no interaction
from the user is requested, and an extract (plus) with interactive ones -
except those that re-open stdin on /dev/tty (or similar).  Those that
reopen stdin on /dev/tty cause the procedure to get stuck.  :(  texlib is
the only package that we're bringing in by default, that refused
redirection of stdin.  (texlib's postinst looks great, but it's inideal
for a fully hands-off install).  For now, we just list which packages to
dpkg with --extract.

On Wed, 6 Nov 1996, Lars Wirzenius wrote:

> [ Please don't Cc: me when replying to my message on a mailing list. ]
> 
> Craig Sanders:
> > The hard work now is to define the standard for the config database and
> > how to interact with it.
> 
> The local betaware broker was sitting in the bar, keeping an eye
> for potential customers. It was easy to spot him, once you knew
> the signs. A slightly paranoid look, but still eager to meet
> new people. Not unlike a drug dealer or prostitute. This guy,
> however, was carrying a laptop.
>    I sat in the chair beside him. "Any new stuff for
> Linux configuration?", I said, looking at the opposite wall
> of bottles.
>    The broker looked at me, startled, then quickly away. Then
> back at me. "What are you, a cop?" The traditional greeting of
> the underworld. It made me feel right at home.
>    "Nope, I just want to install D..."
>    "Shutup. I don't want to go to jail."
>    I turned around, looked around, then turned back, and put my
> knife against his ribs. "Sing or die: where's software for
> managing a group of Debian boxes easily?"
>    His face was pale, and he whispered through his teeth. "cfgtool.
> At Lasu's site. http://www.iki.fi/liw/programs/";.
>    I stood up, and walked quickly to the kitchen, and on
> out. As I was closing the kitchen door behind me, I heard the all too
> familiar sound of MessySoft Police Cars braking in the street. It
> would be a hectic night, but I was still one step ahead.
> 
> -- 
> Please read <http://www.iki.fi/liw/mail-to-lasu.html> before mailing me.
> Please don't Cc: me when replying to my message on a mailing list.
> 
> 
> 

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