Jumpstart Installation Without a Local Boot Server

[stjen]

Hi there,

I have an existing Solaris jumpstart server (boot, install, and config server all on one server) and it works fine for clients on the same subnet. In order to build client servers that are not on the same subnet as the jumpstart server, I have created a bootable install cd to be used as the boot server.

I modified the /etc/rcS script on the cd to use the network and nfs for installation as indicated in the Sun Blueprint

http://www.sun.com/blueprints/0504/817-7288.pdf

Network"yes"
Installtype=nfs

Problem:

I issue the boot cdrom - install from the client and it finds the jumpstart server and the sysdicfg file and then stops and goes into interactive install mode.


<start of display>
Skipping interface hme0
Searching for configuration file(s)...
Using sysid configuration file
server:/jumpstart/Sysidcfg/Solaris_9/sysidcfg
Search complete.

The Solaris Installer can be run in English, or any of the following languages:
<end of display>

My /etc/bootparams file looks fine (incl. below) and the client can see the jumpstart server if it finds the sysidcfg file but I just can't figure it out why it stops and doesn't continue to install. I am missing something!

client root=server:/jumpstart/OS/Solaris_9_09-04/Solaris_9/Tools/Boot install=server:/jumpstart/OS/Solaris_9_09-04 boottype=:in sysid_config=server:/jumpstart/Sysidcfg/Solaris_9 install_config=server:/jumpstart rootop
ts=:rsize=32768


Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
Jen

 

[achech]

You missed the Configuration Server on your CD....


Cheers,


Achech

 

[stjen]

I think I can leave the config server on the jumpstart server. Basically all I need is the boot server and it should nfs mount the rest. If it can find the sysidcfg is should (??) find the configuration stuff too. No ??

 

[coffeysm]

Yes all you need is a boot server that will forward the requests to your Jumpstart Server I believe. I have not dealt with that in awhile since I always found it easier to stick another NIC in my main server and use that instead.

 

[stjen]

Thanks for the feedback. We have put additional NIC's in our jumsptart server as well, however, it would still be beneficial to have a bootable cd.

 

[coffeysm]

Ok in case you have not read this here is a PDF Blueprint explaining how to create a bootable disk. Maybe you can use it as a cross reference.

http://www.sun.com/blueprints/0404/817-6991.pdf

 

[stjen]

I have read the 'Building a Bootable DVD to Deploy a Solaris Flash Archive' blueprint as well as 'Building a Bootable JumpStart Installation CD-ROM, and 'Customizing JumpStart Framework for Installation and Recovery' and from what I gather unless I am trying to build a client server without a network I should be able to just modify the rcS script to use the network and nfs to build the client. I have created the cd and I can use it to boot the server, it finds the sysidcfg file and then stops and goes into interactive mode. I have left the problem for a few days so maybe I will take a fresh look at it and see if I can make some progress.

 

[achech]

If it jumped to interactive mode, means your configurations are wrong, or procedure incompleted (e.g. ok_rules...ect).


cheers,


Achech