F37 proposal: Public release of the Anaconda Web UI preview image (Self-Contained Change proposal)

[Ben Cotton]

https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/Anaconda_Web_UI_preview_image

This document represents a proposed Change. As part of the Changes
process, proposals are publicly announced in order to receive
community feedback. This proposal will only be implemented if approved
by the Fedora Engineering Steering Committee.

== Summary ==
The work on Web UI for the Anaconda installer has advanced enough so
that it is possible to create and publish self contained preview
images.

== Owner ==
* Name: [[User:m4rtink| Martin Kolman]]
* Email: [e-mail]

== Detailed Description ==
Even though still very simple the new Anaconda Web UI is now far
enough to support a simple installation workflow from a self-contained
image while demonstrating all the main aspects of the new UI, such as:

* flexible Wizard layout
* responsive PatternFly components
* new style built-in help
* local and remote access to the Web UI

For this we will create a self-contained boot.iso style image with a
built-in tar-payload (so that the image can work even without network
access) based on the latest Anaconda upstream code.

We aim to have the image available for download just after the F37
release (so that the tar-payload can contain final F37 release
content) and then updated automatically in regular intervals.

That way the rather active Web UI development of the Web UI will be
reflected in the up-to-date installation image, as well as any
feedback and community PRs.

== Benefit to Fedora ==
The Anaconda Web UI will provide modern responsive user interface
based on a well known
and widely used toolkit (PatternFly) and backed by proven Cockpit tooling.

The screen layout is based on latest UX design guidelines as well as
usability testing of the new interface and extensive mockup work.

There are improvements in developer experience as well due to the more
modern & more mainstream UI technology chosen and powerful Cockpit
test tooling (rich unit-test as well as pixel-test framework). The
stateless property of the Web UI allows almost live-coding style of UI
development. This should make it easier to work on the Anaconda Web UI
for not only the Anaconda team, addon developer but also for any
interested contributors.

Remote Web UI access should also provide a much better experience than
the slow and inefficient VNC based remote GUI installation support
Anaconda has today. Due to no need for local rendering remotely driven
GUI installations on a constrained hardware with minimal installation
images should become possible.

== Scope ==
* Proposal owners:
The Anaconda team will setup and maintain an automated Web UI preview
image creation pipeline, with the image being available via a web
server on the Fedora infrastructure.

It will be a '''preview image only''', not an official Fedora
deliverable and it will not influence Fedora release criteria in any
way.

* Other developers:
Other developers and Fedora users are welcome to try the image once it
is released and to provide feedback.

* Release engineering:
* Policies and guidelines: N/A (not needed for this Change)
* Trademark approval: N/A (not needed for this Change)
* Alignment with Objectives:

== Upgrade/compatibility impact ==
(not supplied)

== How To Test ==
Download the Anaconda Web UI preview image and boot it on VM or
hardware that contains no important data.

Install using the Web UI locally, alternatively try using the Web UI remotely.

The installed OS should be functional but its testing or any issues
with it are currently out of scope for the Anaconda Web UI preview
image.

To provide feedback use one of the Anaconda team communication channels:

* IRC: [https://web.libera.chat/#anaconda #anaconda] on libera.chat
* mailing list: [e-mail] -
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[e-mail]...
* Github Discussion: https://github.com/rhinstaller/anaconda/discussions

== User Experience ==
Should be improved compared to the current GTK interface.

== Dependencies ==
(not supplied)

== Contingency Plan ==
* Contingency mechanism: If we hit some blocking technical issues, the
image will be published later.
* Contingency deadline: N/A (not a System Wide Change)
* Blocks release? N/A (not a System Wide Change), Yes/No

== Documentation ==
N/A (not a System Wide Change)

[Dan Čermák]

Hi,

On July 15, 2022 9:30:48 PM UTC, Ben Cotton  wrote:
> https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/Anaconda_Web_UI_preview_image
>
> This document represents a proposed Change. As part of the Changes
> process, proposals are publicly announced in order to receive
> community feedback. This proposal will only be implemented if approved
> by the Fedora Engineering Steering Committee.
>
> == Summary ==
> The work on Web UI for the Anaconda installer has advanced enough so
> that it is possible to create and publish self contained preview
> images.
>
> == Owner ==
> Name: [[User:m4rtink| Martin Kolman]]
> Email: [e-mail]
>
> == Detailed Description ==
> Even though still very simple the new Anaconda Web UI is now far
> enough to support a simple installation workflow from a self-contained
> image while demonstrating all the main aspects of the new UI, such as:
> flexible Wizard layout
> responsive PatternFly components
> new style built-in help
> local and remote access to the Web UI
>
> For this we will create a self-contained boot.iso style image with a
> built-in tar-payload (so that the image can work even without network
> access) based on the latest Anaconda upstream code.
>
> We aim to have the image available for download just after the F37
> release (so that the tar-payload can contain final F37 release
> content) and then updated automatically in regular intervals.
>
> That way the rather active Web UI development of the Web UI will be
> reflected in the up-to-date installation image, as well as any
> feedback and community PRs.
>
> == Benefit to Fedora ==
> The Anaconda Web UI will provide modern responsive user interface
> based on a well known
> and widely used toolkit (PatternFly) and backed by proven Cockpit tooling.
>
> The screen layout is based on latest UX design guidelines as well as
> usability testing of the new interface and extensive mockup work.
>
> There are improvements in developer experience as well due to the more
> modern & more mainstream UI technology chosen and powerful Cockpit
> test tooling (rich unit-test as well as pixel-test framework). The
> stateless property of the Web UI allows almost live-coding style of UI
> development. This should make it easier to work on the Anaconda Web UI
> for not only the Anaconda team, addon developer but also for any
> interested contributors.
>
> Remote Web UI access should also provide a much better experience than
> the slow and inefficient VNC based remote GUI installation support
> Anaconda has today. Due to no need for local rendering remotely driven
> GUI installations on a constrained hardware with minimal installation
> images should become possible.
>
> == Scope ==
> Proposal owners:
>
> The Anaconda team will setup and maintain an automated Web UI preview
> image creation pipeline, with the image being available via a web
> server on the Fedora infrastructure.
>
> It will be a '''preview image only''', not an official Fedora
> deliverable and it will not influence Fedora release criteria in any
> way.
> Other developers:
>
> Other developers and Fedora users are welcome to try the image once it
> is released and to provide feedback.
> Release engineering:
> Policies and guidelines: N/A (not needed for this Change)
> Trademark approval: N/A (not needed for this Change)
> Alignment with Objectives:
>
> == Upgrade/compatibility impact ==
> (not supplied)
>
> == How To Test ==
> Download the Anaconda Web UI preview image and boot it on VM or
> hardware that contains no important data.
>
> Install using the Web UI locally, alternatively try using the Web UI remotely.
>
> The installed OS should be functional but its testing or any issues
> with it are currently out of scope for the Anaconda Web UI preview
> image.

Do you have any plans to integrate this with the Fedora openQA tests? That would automatically give you some basic coverage for the functionality of the installed system.
> To provide feedback use one of the Anaconda team communication channels:
> IRC: [https://web.libera.chat/#anaconda #anaconda] on libera.chat
> mailing list: [e-mail] -
>
> https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[e-mail]...
> Github Discussion: https://github.com/rhinstaller/anaconda/discussions
>
> == User Experience ==
> Should be improved compared to the current GTK interface.
>
> == Dependencies ==
> (not supplied)
>
> == Contingency Plan ==
> Contingency mechanism: If we hit some blocking technical issues, the
>
> image will be published later.
> Contingency deadline: N/A (not a System Wide Change)
> Blocks release? N/A (not a System Wide Change), Yes/No
>
> == Documentation ==
> N/A (not a System Wide Change)

[Jiri Konecny]

Hi,

Dne 16. 07. 22 v 14:34 Dan Čermák napsal(a):
> Hi,
>
> On July 15, 2022 9:30:48 PM UTC, Ben Cotton  wrote:
> > https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/Anaconda_Web_UI_preview_image
> >
> > This document represents a proposed Change. As part of the Changes
> > process, proposals are publicly announced in order to receive
> > community feedback. This proposal will only be implemented if approved
> > by the Fedora Engineering Steering Committee.
> >
> > == Summary ==
> > The work on Web UI for the Anaconda installer has advanced enough so
> > that it is possible to create and publish self contained preview
> > images.
> >
> > == Owner ==
> > Name: [[User:m4rtink| Martin Kolman]]
> > Email: [e-mail]
> >
> > == Detailed Description ==
> > Even though still very simple the new Anaconda Web UI is now far
> > enough to support a simple installation workflow from a self-contained
> > image while demonstrating all the main aspects of the new UI, such as:
> > flexible Wizard layout
> > responsive PatternFly components
> > new style built-in help
> > local and remote access to the Web UI
> >
> > For this we will create a self-contained boot.iso style image with a
> > built-in tar-payload (so that the image can work even without network
> > access) based on the latest Anaconda upstream code.
> >
> > We aim to have the image available for download just after the F37
> > release (so that the tar-payload can contain final F37 release
> > content) and then updated automatically in regular intervals.
> >
> > That way the rather active Web UI development of the Web UI will be
> > reflected in the up-to-date installation image, as well as any
> > feedback and community PRs.
> >
> > == Benefit to Fedora ==
> > The Anaconda Web UI will provide modern responsive user interface
> > based on a well known
> > and widely used toolkit (PatternFly) and backed by proven Cockpit tooling.
> >
> > The screen layout is based on latest UX design guidelines as well as
> > usability testing of the new interface and extensive mockup work.
> >
> > There are improvements in developer experience as well due to the more
> > modern & more mainstream UI technology chosen and powerful Cockpit
> > test tooling (rich unit-test as well as pixel-test framework). The
> > stateless property of the Web UI allows almost live-coding style of UI
> > development. This should make it easier to work on the Anaconda Web UI
> > for not only the Anaconda team, addon developer but also for any
> > interested contributors.
> >
> > Remote Web UI access should also provide a much better experience than
> > the slow and inefficient VNC based remote GUI installation support
> > Anaconda has today. Due to no need for local rendering remotely driven
> > GUI installations on a constrained hardware with minimal installation
> > images should become possible.
> >
> > == Scope ==
> > Proposal owners:
> >
> > The Anaconda team will setup and maintain an automated Web UI preview
> > image creation pipeline, with the image being available via a web
> > server on the Fedora infrastructure.
> >
> > It will be a '''preview image only''', not an official Fedora
> > deliverable and it will not influence Fedora release criteria in any
> > way.
> > Other developers:
> >
> > Other developers and Fedora users are welcome to try the image once it
> > is released and to provide feedback.
> > Release engineering:
> > Policies and guidelines: N/A (not needed for this Change)
> > Trademark approval: N/A (not needed for this Change)
> > Alignment with Objectives:
> >
> > == Upgrade/compatibility impact ==
> > (not supplied)
> >
> > == How To Test ==
> > Download the Anaconda Web UI preview image and boot it on VM or
> > hardware that contains no important data.
> >
> > Install using the Web UI locally, alternatively try using the Web UI remotely.
> >
> > The installed OS should be functional but its testing or any issues
> > with it are currently out of scope for the Anaconda Web UI preview
> > image.
>
> Do you have any plans to integrate this with the Fedora openQA tests? That would automatically give you some basic coverage for the functionality of the installed system.

That would be definitely valuable but I don't think it's feasible right 
now. The current progress is pretty rapid and we are constantly changing 
things. Having the OpenQA to reflect that could be too heavy from the 
maintenance PoV. Instead of that, we have pixel tests[0] in our upstream 
repository to avoid breaking UI, that is much easier to keep updated by us.

When the UI will be more stable than we definitely want to have OpenQA 
support.

[0]: https://cockpit-project.org/blog/pixel-testing.html

Best Regards,
Jirka
> > To provide feedback use one of the Anaconda team communication channels:
> > IRC: [https://web.libera.chat/#anaconda #anaconda] on libera.chat
> > mailing list: [e-mail] -
> >
> > https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[e-mail]...
> > Github Discussion: https://github.com/rhinstaller/anaconda/discussions
> >
> > == User Experience ==
> > Should be improved compared to the current GTK interface.
> >
> > == Dependencies ==
> > (not supplied)
> >
> > == Contingency Plan ==
> > Contingency mechanism: If we hit some blocking technical issues, the
> >
> > image will be published later.
> > Contingency deadline: N/A (not a System Wide Change)
> > Blocks release? N/A (not a System Wide Change), Yes/No
> >
> > == Documentation ==
> > N/A (not a System Wide Change)
>
> devel mailing list -- [e-mail]
> To unsubscribe send an email to [e-mail]
> Fedora Code of Conduct: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/project/code-of-conduct/
> List Guidelines: https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Mailing_list_guidelines
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[Kevin Fenzi]

...snip...
> For this we will create a self-contained boot.iso style image with a
> built-in tar-payload (so that the image can work even without network
> access) based on the latest Anaconda upstream code.

What packages will be in this tar-payload?

And can you use the boot.iso to do netinstalls against the network
respositories, or are you restricted to the tar-payload contents?

...snip...
> == Scope ==
> Proposal owners:
>
> The Anaconda team will setup and maintain an automated Web UI preview
> image creation pipeline, with the image being available via a web
> server on the Fedora infrastructure.

So, you will need space to place these images in Fedora Infrastructure
and nothing else right now from Infra&Releng?

Looking forward to playing with it!

kevin

[Jiri Konecny]

Hi Kevin,

Dne 16. 07. 22 v 21:35 Kevin Fenzi napsal(a):
> ...snip...
> > For this we will create a self-contained boot.iso style image with a
> > built-in tar-payload (so that the image can work even without network
> > access) based on the latest Anaconda upstream code.
>
> What packages will be in this tar-payload?

We are planning to use payload from F37 Workstation GA. So it will 
install fully functional Fedora 37. The side benefit will be that the 
payload is already tested.
> And can you use the boot.iso to do netinstalls against the network
> respositories, or are you restricted to the tar-payload contents?

Not yet, we are missing Software selection and Source management. This 
version is really a first usable image which enables to select disks and 
start the installation. However, it's a good base for us for future 
improvements so the ISO can be updated with new features and we can get 
feedback soon.
> ...snip...
> > == Scope ==
> > Proposal owners:
> >
> > The Anaconda team will setup and maintain an automated Web UI preview
> > image creation pipeline, with the image being available via a web
> > server on the Fedora infrastructure.
>
> So, you will need space to place these images in Fedora Infrastructure
> and nothing else right now from Infra&Releng?

Yes, we just need a publicly accessible storage, where we can upload the 
ISO. Right now, we are thinking about 
https://fedorapeople.org/groups/anaconda/. Do you think it's a good idea 
Kevin or would you recommend us something else?
> Looking forward to playing with it!

Great to hear that! :)

Best Regards,
Jirka
> kevin
>
> devel mailing list -- [e-mail]
> To unsubscribe send an email to [e-mail]
> Fedora Code of Conduct: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/project/code-of-conduct/
> List Guidelines: https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Mailing_list_guidelines
> List Archives: https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[e-mail]
> Do not reply to spam on the list, report it: https://pagure.io/fedora-infrastructure

[Kevin Fenzi]

On Mon, Jul 18, 2022 at 01:30:14PM +0200, Jiri Konecny wrote:
> Hi Kevin,
>
> Dne 16. 07. 22 v 21:35 Kevin Fenzi napsal(a):
> > ...snip...
> > > For this we will create a self-contained boot.iso style image with a
> > > built-in tar-payload (so that the image can work even without network
> > > access) based on the latest Anaconda upstream code.
> >
> > What packages will be in this tar-payload?
>
> We are planning to use payload from F37 Workstation GA. So it will install
> fully functional Fedora 37. The side benefit will be that the payload is
> already tested.

Ah, ok. You might add this to the change page?
> > And can you use the boot.iso to do netinstalls against the network
> > respositories, or are you restricted to the tar-payload contents?
>
> Not yet, we are missing Software selection and Source management. This
> version is really a first usable image which enables to select disks and
> start the installation. However, it's a good base for us for future
> improvements so the ISO can be updated with new features and we can get
> feedback soon.

Makes sense.
> > ...snip...
> > > == Scope ==
> > > Proposal owners:
> > >
> > > The Anaconda team will setup and maintain an automated Web UI preview
> > > image creation pipeline, with the image being available via a web
> > > server on the Fedora infrastructure.
> >
> > So, you will need space to place these images in Fedora Infrastructure
> > and nothing else right now from Infra&Releng?
>
> Yes, we just need a publicly accessible storage, where we can upload the
> ISO. Right now, we are thinking about
> https://fedorapeople.org/groups/anaconda/. Do you think it's a good idea
> Kevin or would you recommend us something else?

That would work ok I guess. We could also give you space in
https://dl.fedoraproject.org/alt/
Or an s3 bucket. Whatever works.

kevin

[Jiri Konecny]

Hi everyone,

I'm getting questions where people could get the ISO image with the 
Anaconda Web UI. If you also have this question I tried to answer it here:

https://discussion.fedoraproject.org/t/isos-with-the-new-installer-are-they-...

TL;DR
Don't worry, we are planning to release it about a week after the F37 
GA. The exact date could change.

Best Regards,
Jirka

Dne 15. 07. 22 v 23:30 Ben Cotton napsal(a):
> https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/Anaconda_Web_UI_preview_image
>
> This document represents a proposed Change. As part of the Changes
> process, proposals are publicly announced in order to receive
> community feedback. This proposal will only be implemented if approved
> by the Fedora Engineering Steering Committee.
>
> == Summary ==
> The work on Web UI for the Anaconda installer has advanced enough so
> that it is possible to create and publish self contained preview
> images.
>
> == Owner ==
> Name: [[User:m4rtink| Martin Kolman]]
> Email: [e-mail]
>
> == Detailed Description ==
> Even though still very simple the new Anaconda Web UI is now far
> enough to support a simple installation workflow from a self-contained
> image while demonstrating all the main aspects of the new UI, such as:
> flexible Wizard layout
> responsive PatternFly components
> new style built-in help
> local and remote access to the Web UI
>
> For this we will create a self-contained boot.iso style image with a
> built-in tar-payload (so that the image can work even without network
> access) based on the latest Anaconda upstream code.
>
> We aim to have the image available for download just after the F37
> release (so that the tar-payload can contain final F37 release
> content) and then updated automatically in regular intervals.
>
> That way the rather active Web UI development of the Web UI will be
> reflected in the up-to-date installation image, as well as any
> feedback and community PRs.
>
> == Benefit to Fedora ==
> The Anaconda Web UI will provide modern responsive user interface
> based on a well known
> and widely used toolkit (PatternFly) and backed by proven Cockpit tooling.
>
> The screen layout is based on latest UX design guidelines as well as
> usability testing of the new interface and extensive mockup work.
>
> There are improvements in developer experience as well due to the more
> modern & more mainstream UI technology chosen and powerful Cockpit
> test tooling (rich unit-test as well as pixel-test framework). The
> stateless property of the Web UI allows almost live-coding style of UI
> development. This should make it easier to work on the Anaconda Web UI
> for not only the Anaconda team, addon developer but also for any
> interested contributors.
>
> Remote Web UI access should also provide a much better experience than
> the slow and inefficient VNC based remote GUI installation support
> Anaconda has today. Due to no need for local rendering remotely driven
> GUI installations on a constrained hardware with minimal installation
> images should become possible.
>
> == Scope ==
> Proposal owners:
>
> The Anaconda team will setup and maintain an automated Web UI preview
> image creation pipeline, with the image being available via a web
> server on the Fedora infrastructure.
>
> It will be a '''preview image only''', not an official Fedora
> deliverable and it will not influence Fedora release criteria in any
> way.
> Other developers:
>
> Other developers and Fedora users are welcome to try the image once it
> is released and to provide feedback.
> Release engineering:
> Policies and guidelines: N/A (not needed for this Change)
> Trademark approval: N/A (not needed for this Change)
> Alignment with Objectives:
>
> == Upgrade/compatibility impact ==
> (not supplied)
>
> == How To Test ==
> Download the Anaconda Web UI preview image and boot it on VM or
> hardware that contains no important data.
>
> Install using the Web UI locally, alternatively try using the Web UI remotely.
>
> The installed OS should be functional but its testing or any issues
> with it are currently out of scope for the Anaconda Web UI preview
> image.
>
> To provide feedback use one of the Anaconda team communication channels:
> IRC: [https://web.libera.chat/#anaconda #anaconda] on libera.chat
> mailing list: [e-mail] -
>
> https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[e-mail]...
> Github Discussion: https://github.com/rhinstaller/anaconda/discussions
>
> == User Experience ==
> Should be improved compared to the current GTK interface.
>
> == Dependencies ==
> (not supplied)
>
> == Contingency Plan ==
> Contingency mechanism: If we hit some blocking technical issues, the
>
> image will be published later.
> Contingency deadline: N/A (not a System Wide Change)
> Blocks release? N/A (not a System Wide Change), Yes/No
>
> == Documentation ==
> N/A (not a System Wide Change)