Auto OS Install Process

[Pete Travis]

On Dec 26, 2013 12:33 PM, "bruce" <badouglas at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Pete,
>
> umm - regarding partition, i was under the impression that an OS
> install can have multiple "partitions"
>

Yes, this is part of why I suggested not using the term "partition" to
describe an installation.

> In my case though, I want to have the ability to set/invoke whatever
> process needs to occur so I can programatically set the boot OS. All
> of this will occur via ssh, so the process won't be accessing the gui,
> to select the menus.
>

Yes, this is where you ssh in and set the default grub entry to boot.

> so for :
> > As I noted, a second minimal installation does not do what you describe
you
> > want to accomplish, reinstallation. The installer handles installation,
so
> > you want to boot that. If you want to be able to reinstall *or* access
the
> > main installation's data from a clean environment, you can use the
> > installer's rescue mode.
> >
> I'd want the 2nd installation to be able to immeadiately, upon boot
> up, to then go do a netinstall, where it then reinstalls the 1st OS,
> and I need to do this in a auto/programatic process. I'm not seeing
> where the rescue mode process applies here.

The only reason I could conceive of you wanting to boot a minimal
installation instead of the actual installer was for non-installing
activity. If you want to do a netinstall, boot the installer.  If you want
to do a netinstall *without* the installer, I won't be able to help.

I've tried to give you at least an overview of how you might accomplish
what you want.  If you need further guidance, please read over my responses
again, consider them, and ask specific questions where you need more help.
It isn't productive to repeat myself in a text conversation, especially
where previous responses are preserved above the current one.

--Pete

>
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 at 2:13 PM, Pete Travis <lists at petetravis.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 at 1:32 PM, Pete Travis <lists at petetravis.com>
wrote:
> >> >
> >> > On Dec 26, 2013 10:52 AM, "bruce" <badouglas at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> Hey Suvayu,
> >> >>
> >> >> Not to be insensitive.. but I've had left-post/right-post/top-post
> >> >> args etc for damn near 30 years...
> >> >>
> >> >> My motto - if I create the post, I'll post/add to it as i see fit.
> >> >> Everyon else is welcome to reply, or not!!
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Now that that's out of the way...
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> My need is in the case a system gets hacked/corrupted. If the system
> >> >> is remote, I want a method of being able to get into the hacked
> >> >> system, and to have it then restore the running/corrupted partition
> >> >> from the "clean" partition.
> >> >>
> >> >> This means I need to be able to install dual OS, as well as have a
> >> >> method of being able to switch the boot process as required.
> >> >>
> >> >> No, this isn't foolproof to eleminate hacking, but it does allow me
to
> >> >> then be able to more easlity/quickly recover in the event the
process
> >> >> detects the master partition as being hacked.
> >> >>
> >> >> So, in my mind, I'll have dual OS/partitions
> >> >> paritionA
> >> >>   -minimal OS
> >> >>   -used to do a netinstall/reinstall of a clean OS into partitionB
> >> >>   -so when the system boots up into this partition, it will auto
> >> >>    perform the netinstall process into the partitionB for the
> >> >>    reinstall
> >> >>
> >> >> partitionB
> >> >>   -the master partition/OS
> >> >>   -contains the working/real OS/env of the system
> >> >>   -also able to invoke a netinstall process to reinstall partitionA
as
> >> >>    required
> >> >>   -has the ability to toggle between the partitions
> >> >>   -has the ability to set itself as the default OS/partition
> >> >>
> >> >> So in my mind, this really should be a matter of doing a dual
> >> >> install/boot process, and then determining how one can
> >> >> programatically/automatically set whatever function/switch has to be
> >> >> set to switch between the partitions/OS on reboot of the system.
> >> >>
> >> >> Keep in mind, once the system is created/provisioned, all of this is
> >> >> being handled remotely, via ssh.
> >> >>
> >> >> thanks
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> > If we assume that you have functioning ssh access to the machine, you
> >> > can
> >> > change the default boot option for grub in /etc/default/grub (and run
> >> > grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/path/to/grub.cfg)
> >> >
> >> > With ssh access and a UEFI system, you can use `efibootmgr` to set
the
> >> > firmware boot order or next boot.
> >> >
> >> > If you don't have functioning ssh access, you'll need hardware with
> >> > remote
> >> > access firmware ie. IPMI. Alternatively, you can get a KVM with
remote
> >> > access features - usually vnc, look for KVM over IP - or some remote
> >> > hands
> >> > to operate a keyboard for you.
> >> >
> >> > If the goal is to reinstall from the alternative environment, you
want
> >> > the
> >> > installer , not a minimal install.  You should read about medialess
> >> > installs
> >> > or pxe installation in the Fedora Installation Guide. These can also
be
> >> > used
> >> > in rescue mode. Either way, kickstart sounds like a good idea for
you.
> >> >
> >> > BTW, mailing list guidelines have existed as long as mailing lists.
 You
> >> > are
> >> > more likely to get good help if you follow those guidelines that
make it
> >> > easier for your helpers to follow the discussion, but the choice
between
> >> > your convenience and clarity for your readers is your own choice.
> >> >
> >> > --Pete
> >
> > On Dec 26, 2013 11:56 AM, "bruce" <badouglas at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi Pete.
> >>
> >> Thanks for the reply. If I understand your following statement::
> >> > If we assume that you have functioning ssh access to the machine, you
> >> > can
> >> > change the default boot option for grub in /etc/default/grub (and run
> >> > grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/path/to/grub.cfg)
> >> >
> >>
> >> this implies that for each installed OS, there will be a separate
> >> "/boot" in the OS tree, but if I'm in partitionA, how do I set the dir
> >> for the boot path for the partitionB, which wouldn't be mounted at
> >> that time... Or would it be?
> >>
> >> I've been looking for a sample/turotial that lays this out that I can
> >> examine, and haven't found one yet.
> >>
> >> Thanks Much!!!
> >
> > Let us move away from the term "partition", please. A typical
installation
> > has multiple partitions, and even if yours do not, you are describing an
> > *installation *, not a storage volume.
> >
> > If you have a second installation, grub2-mkconfig will find it and
create
> > the menu entries for you.
> >
> > As I noted, a second minimal installation does not do what you describe
you
> > want to accomplish, reinstallation. The installer handles installation,
so
> > you want to boot that. If you want to be able to reinstall *or* access
the
> > main installation's data from a clean environment, you can use the
> > installer's rescue mode.
> >
> > --Pete
> >
> >
> > --
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