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[[Category:OPS235]]
{{Admon/caution|THIS IS AN OLD VERSION OF THE LAB|'''This is an archived version. Do not use this in your OPS235 course.'''}}
= CentOS Installation Methods (on Virtual Machines: centos1, centos2, centos3) =
==Linux Command Online Reference==
Each Link below displays online manpages for each command (via [http://linuxmanpages.com/ http://linuxmanpages.com]):
:* '''virsh''' (Refer to Fedora CentOS Virtualization Guide link in the "Resources on the Web" section)
:* [http://linuxmanpages.com/man1/gzip.1.php gzip / gunzip]
=Performing Lab 2=
== Preparation Comparison Chart == You will be learning to perform several different type of CENTOS Linux installs. As you proceed throughout this lab, you will be required to fill in the following table to be used for installation type comparison. You should try to fill out the section for the CENTOS install you performed in lab #1, and then continue with this lab. Complete the following table (and transfer into your lab2 log-book notes): {|border="1" width="100%" cellpadding="5"|-! ||c6host||centos1||centos2||centos3|-|'''Installation Method'''||Installation Disc||Live Disc||Network Installation||Network Installation + Kickstart|-|'''Number of Packages Installed'''|| || || |||-|'''Updates Installed immediately after installation'''|| || || |||-|'''Software could be selected during installation'''|| || || |||-|'''Disk layout could be selected during installation'''|| || || |||-|'''Any questions asked during installation?'''|| || || |||-|'''Total installation time''' (after installation questions)|| || || |||-|'''Amount of disk space used'''|| || || |||-|'''Any questions asked during first boot?'''|| || || |||-|'''Advantages of this type of installation'''|| || || |||-|'''Disadvantages of this type of installation'''|| || || |||-|'''This type of installation is recommended for...'''|| || || |||} == Using the Virtual Machine Manager ==
{{Admon/tip|Performing this Lab off the Seneca network (eg. at home)|'''It is recommended to perform this lab in one of Seneca College's labs'''. This lab uses servers which are on the Seneca network and which are not available from other locations (such as your home). If you attempt this lab from another location, adjust the belmont.senecac.on.ca URLs to point to another mirror server -- note that you may need to change the directory name as well as the server name. The installation of the '''centos3''' virtual machine <u>must</u> be done at Seneca.}}
<ol>
<li value="10">During the installation process, when prompted for a storage device, first select '''Specialized Storage Devices''', and then select the '''Virtio Block Device''' option.</li>
<li>When prompted for the hostname, enter '''centos1''', and when prompted for the timezone, select '''Toronto - Eastern Time Ontario''', and when </li> <li>When asked about storage, select '''Use All Space'''. '''Use the default values for all other fields.''' Notice that the installer does not ask you what software should be installed; compare the installation time to the amount of time it took to do your Lab 2 installation. Record this information in the '''table contained in Investigation 4'''.</li>
<li>When the installation is complete, click on the '''reboot''' button at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li value="13">Start the VM from its disk image. This can be done graphically by selecting the Virual machine name, and then clicking on the '''Open''' button, and then click the '''play''' button when the next screen appears (or by selecting Virtual Machine>Run from the virtual machine menu). You will get the ''Firstboot'' configuration questions during the boot process (asking you to create a user, set the date and time, and ignore the kdump out-of-memory warning). Make certain that the VM has a network interface connection (i.e. look at network applet on the top panel). Create a user with the same name as your Matrix account.</li>
<li>Login using the new user account.</li>
</ol>
* '''Name:''' centos2
* '''Boot media:''' Network installation
* '''Installation source:''' http://mirrorbelmont.csclubsenecac.uwaterlooon.ca/centos/6.5/os/x86_64/
* '''Memory:''' 1024MB
* '''Disk space:''' 20GB
==== Steps ====
# Create the VM (called '''centos2''') as you did with the ''centos1'' virtual machine, except:#* In '''step 1 of 5''', set select network installation using the installation type to '''Network Install (HTTP, FTP, or NFS)'''.#* In '''step 2 of 5''', provide the location of the software source by providing the URL http://mirror.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/centos/6url displayed above.5/os/x86_64/
# Observe the boot process. How is it different from booting from an optical disc (DVD)?
# Start the installation process (make certain to use information in the ''VM Details'' section above).
# When you get to the disk partitioning step, select '''Use All Space''' and enable the checkbox labelled '''Review and modify partition layout'''. If an dialog box displays a permissions problem, then click yes to proceed. On the next screen, change the logical volumes as follows:
#* Reduce the size of the root LV to '''8000 MB'''.
#* '''Add a <u>logical volume </u> with a size of 2000 MB and a mountpoint of /home''' (you can name it whatever you want, and use '''ext4''' as the file-system type).# On the software selection screen, select '''Graphical Desktop'''.
# Complete the installation. Record the time taken to install, and compare this to the time taken by the previous installations.Record this information in the '''table contained in Investigation 4'''.
=== Introduction ===
When Fedora CentOS is installed using the techniques you have used so far, the user is asked a number of questions. In some situations, it is better to provide the answers to these questions in a file rather than answer them individually. This type of file is called a ''kickstart'' file.
In this investigation, a kickstart file is provided for you. You can also create or modify a kickstart file using a regular text editor or a graphical tool.
* '''Name:''' centos3
* '''Boot media:''' Network installation
* '''Installation source:''' http://mirrorbelmont.csclubsenecac.uwaterlooon.ca/centos/6.5/os/x86_64/* '''Kickstart location:''' httpshttp://scsmatrix.senecac.on.ca/~andrew.smith/ops235/centos6-kickstart-v01.cfg
* '''Memory:''' 1024MB
* '''Disk space:''' 15GB
==== Steps ====
# Create the VM as you did with the ''centos2'' virtual machine, specifying a network install as before, except:#* In step 2 of 5, after entering but specify the kickstart location under the URL "options section" for the installation source, click on the '''URL Options''' controlnetwork install.#* Enter What do you think is the Kickstart URL locationpurpose of this kickstart file?
# Observe the installation. How is it different from booting from an optical disc?
# Complete the installation. Record the time taken to install, and compare this to the time taken by the previous installations.
# What happens when the installation is finished?
# Take a look at the kickstart file (eg. view url in a webj-browser) to determine the root password as well as the name and password for the first user account.
# Boot the virtual machine and log in (use the user ID and password information from the previous step). Compare the experience to the first time you booted the other virtual machines. Record this information in the '''table contained in Investigation 4'''.
'''Answer the Investigation 3 observations / questions in your lab log book.'''
== Investigation 4: Updating and Comparing the VMs == {{Admon/important|Check that your graphical VMs are connected to Network|It is recommended when starting a graphical VM, check the network icon to see if the system is connected. If it is NOT connected, select auto eth.}}
# In each VM, run this command: <code>yum update</code>
#* Why does it take longer in some VMs than others?
{{Admon/caution|border="1" width="100%" cellpadding="5"|-! ||c6host||centos1||centos2||centos3|-|'''Installation Method'''||Installation Disc||Live Disc||Network Installation||Network Installation + Kickstart|-|'''Number of Packages Installed'''|| || || |||-|'''Updates Installed immediately after installation'''|| || || |||-|'''Software could be selected during installation'''|| || || |||-|'''Disk layout could be selected during installation'''|| || || |||-|'''Any questions asked during installation?'''|| || || |||-Never Shutdown Computer During Upgrade|'''Total installation time''' Your computer (after installation questionshost, vms)|| || || |||-|'''Amount of disk space used'''|| || || |||-|'''Any questions asked during first boot?'''|| || || |||-|'''Advantages of this type of installation'''|| || || |||-|'''Disadvantages of this type of installation'''|| || || |||-|'''This type of installation is recommended are at their most vulnerable when you perform an update. Always plan ahead forappropriate time prior to performing an update...'''|| || || ||Shutting down your computer while performing an update may cause your computer not to boot! You have been warned!!!}}|}
== Investigation 5: Managing Virtual Machines from the Command Line ==
# Start the ''centos1'' virtual machine, and stop the ''centos2'' and ''centos3'' virtual machines.
# Switch to the c6host machine, and open a shell terminal.
# Enter these commands into your f19host c6host machine and note the result:
#* <code>'''virsh list'''</code>
#* <code>'''virsh list --all'''</code>
# Obtain the kickstart files for all four of your installations (your disk pack ''c6host'', plus the ''centos1'', ''centos2'', and ''centos3'' virtual machines).
# To prevent confusion, copy your kickstart files to kickstart filenames that describe their purpose (eg. kickstart_host, kickstart_centos1, kickstart_centos2, etc...)
# Copy them all to your c6host system (tip: use <code>scp</code>), webmail, or use the hint in the tip box above to send via ecommand-line mail. Refer to the manpages for help).
# Compare these files. What are the differences? Similarities? (Tip: you may want to use tools such as <code>sdiff</code> to help with the comparison).
# How could you use the kickstart file produced by the installation program to perform additional, identical installations?
# Three working virtual machines created.
# Disk layout and size correct on all virtual machines
# Use virsh to list the status of all vms.
# Four kickstart files.
# All virtual machines fully updated.
# All virtual machines backed upto a usb stick.
# Installation comparison table filled in.
# Lab Logbook (lab2) notes filled-in.
= Preparing for Quizzes =
# What is the name of the Fedora CentOS installation program?
# Which factors recorded in your table (above) were due to the type of installation performed, and which factors were due to the amount of software installed?
# Which type of installation works best for confirming compatibility with hardware before installation? Why?
#* virt-install
#* kvm
# The kickstart installation (fedora3centos3) was a network installation. Can a kickstart file be used with a DVD installation?# The kickstart installation (fedora3centos3) was fairly fast. Why? Under what circumstances would it take a long time, even on a fast network?
# What other types of installation sources are possible (besides Live Disc, Installation Disc, and Network?)
[[Category:OPS235]]
[[Category:OPS235 Labs]]
