kickstart server configuration step by step in linux.

Configuration Of Kickstart File

The Kickstart Configurator program allows you to answer most of the questions asked during an interactive installation process. Once each section of the configurator is complete, simply save the configuration as a file.

Kickstart file is used to install the OS at client machine without Providing the Entries which are asked during Installation. Kickstart File should be available on the machine where the copy of O/S DVD or CD is stored.

In our scenario the kickstart file is on machine 192.168.0.100 and copy of CD or DVD is inside /var/ftp/pub

Step 1)

Copy all *.rpms from DVD/CD's in a folder /var/ftp/pub/Server/

Step 2)

Configure your machine as NFS,FTP & DHCP

Copy all rpms from DVD/CD's in a folder /var/ftp/pub/Server

[root@server ~]# yum install nfs* vsftpd* dhcpd* *kickstart* -y

[root@server ~]# vi /etc/exports

/var/ftp/pub 192.168.0.0/24(ro.async)

:wq!

[root@server ~]# service nfs restart

[root@server ~]# service vsftpd restart
[root@server ~]# service dhcpd restart
[root@server ~]# chkconfig nfs on
[root@server ~]# chkconfig vsftpd on
[root@server ~]# chkconfig dhcpd on

Step 3) Create the Kickstart File by using the following command

[root@server ~]# system-config-kickstart & 

.

.

.

Step 4 ) Go to /var/ftp/pub and give execute permission to kickstart file 

[root@server ~]# cd /var/ftp/pub 

[root@server ~]# chmod +x *.cfg 

There are a large number of Kickstart Options that can not be modified by the Kickstart Configurator.then modified to include the hostname and some additional packages, shown in bold, to support the installation of 11gR2 database.

#platform=x86, AMD64, or Intel EM64T

#version=DEVEL

# Firewall configuration

firewall --enabled --ssh

# Install OS instead of upgrade

install

# Use CDROM installation media

cdrom

# Root password

rootpw --iscrypted $1u.8woUF10

# System authorization information

auth --useshadow --passalgo=sha512

# Use graphical install

graphical

# Run the Setup Agent on first boot

firstboot --enable

# System keyboard

keyboard uk

# System language

lang en_GB

# SELinux configuration

selinux --permissive

# Installation logging level

logging --level=info

# Reboot after installation

reboot

# System timezone

timezone Europe/London

# Network information

network --bootproto=static --device=eth0 --gateway=192.168.0.1 --ip=192.169.0.10 --nameserver=192.168.0.111

--netmask=255.255.255.0 --onboot=on --hostname=linux-test.local

# System bootloader configuration

bootloader --location=mbr

# Partition clearing information

clearpart --all

# Disk partitioning information

part /boot --fstype="ext4" --size=500

part swap --fstype="swap" --size=2048

part / --fstype="ext4" --grow --size=1

%packages

@base

@basic-desktop

@compat-libraries

@desktop-platform

@development

@directory-client

@fonts

@general-desktop

@graphical-admin-tools

@input-methods

@internet-browser

@large-systems

@server-platform

@system-admin-tools

@x11

kernel-devel

kernel-headers

gcc

%end

Client Side configuration 

Step 1) 

Set the BIOS first Bootable  Device as  CDROM. 

Step 2) 

Take Linux RHEL5 Bootable CD and Boot. 

Step 3) 

Now at the Boot prompt Type following Commands. 

boot : linux ks=nfs:192.168.0.X:/var/ftp/pub/ksn.cfg 

OR 

boot : linux ks=ftp://192.168.0.X/pub/ksf.cfg 

Step 4 ) 

Once the installation Starts Remove the Bootable CD/DVD.