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Thread: A NetBoot Notes thread

  1. #1
    Not here rsbriggs's Avatar
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    A NetBoot Notes thread

    I'm going to re-install from scratch this evening, and use this thread to keep notes on things as I go along - to better help someone that comes along behind me. We can make this a kind of Wiki if anyone wants - feel free to keep one step ahead of me....

    The general philosophy of what I'm building here is discussed at this link:

    http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/a...ss_Farm_1.html
    Another resource along the same lines:
    http://ws9.jobnegotiator.com/html/netboot.html

    I'm going to separate my network into two pieces, or subnets, allowing me to completely separate my farm network from my Windows based home network.

    Dual NIC machine to be used as a farm server 3.2 Ghz Dell 400 SC Poweredge server box. - 2 NIC cards, one a RealTek PCI card added in, the other is an e1000 intel "card" on the motherboard.

    eth0 - (PCI card) Realtek RTL-8139 SMC EZ
    eth1 - Intel Ether Express on the main motherboard.


    Step #1
    Perform a full install of Red Hat Shrike - release 9 - select custom for the type,
    and at the bottom of the install screen in the MISC section - select the box marked "EVERYTHING". and continue. This takes a while....

    The install is being done from downloaded ISO images from http://www.linuxiso.org/distro.php?distro=7. Burned them onto CD. Downloading these takes a while, too. (DAYS on a slow connection)


    NOTES:

    During set up I set both NICs up as having static IP addresses, one lives on the Windows network, the other on the farm network.

    eth0: static 192.168.0.2 - windows net
    eth1: static 192.168.2.254 - farm net
    hostname: DELL400SC
    set the gateway to my internet routing machine, which lives at 192.168.0.1
    no firewall configured

    when asked about packages, go to the misc section at the bottom, and check the EVERYTHING box. (This really isn't necessary....)

    Finish the install.... Nap. Eat dinner. Whatever.....

    (probable next step, download the LTSP stuff - I'll have to refer back to PCZ's notes about exactly what version he installed and post the link. Feel free to cut-n-paste or enter that info into the next message here, PCZ...)

    Edit by IronBits
    Anything that does not pertain to PXE NIC, CD, Floppy, Net Booting, or helpful in any way will be removed from this thread to keep it concise and to the point for referencing.
    End of Edit by IronBits
    Last edited by rsbriggs; 08-08-2003 at 08:29 PM.
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  2. #2
    Not here rsbriggs's Avatar
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    Step 2 - download and install LTSP

    some notes for step 2

    Boot into your nice shiny new Red Hat install. Pop up Mozilla, and check the net connection. In my case, Success !! (At least the windows 1/2 of the network connection is working as expected. )

    Step 2 - download LTSP stuff

    Following PCZs directions, I headed over to http://ltsp.org/ and downloaded the following:

    ltsp_core-3.0.9-0.i386.rpm
    ltsp_kernel-3.0.9-0.i386.rpm
    ltsp_local_apps-3.0.0-0.i386.rpm
    pxestuff-3.0.5-i386.tgz

    I also grabbed the following files

    ltsp_initrd_kit-3.0.9-i386.tgz
    and
    ltspcfg from the 4.0 section. This is a new PERL script that is supposed to make setting up an LTSP system "easier".

    But, ... Before I install any of this stuff, I'm going to go through the several hour process of running up2date, registering this machine with Red Hat, getting a demo account, and upgrading everything. I know for a fact that the kernel has been through a number of upgrades and fixes since this distribution was released, and I really want to get the SMP kernel updates that have been done in the last six months.

    NOTE: Of course, the only time that I've ever seen the Redhat update service down is ... right now. Their update service is saying "due to technical difficulties, the service is temporarily unavailable."

    Ran the ltspcfg script. Used it to build all the entries (253) in /etc/hosts and /etc/hosts.allow - it saved a lot of manual, by-hand work.....





    ======================
    The rpm's are installed like this:
    rpm -ivh ltsp_core-3.0.9-0.i386.rpm

    The pxestuff archive has a readme in it telling you where to put the files.

    I installed Red Hat 9 with the custom option and selected everything.
    I didn't really need all the apps but I was playing safe.

    I edited the config files using Jasons article as a guide.
    I can help with the config files if you get stuck.
    Last edited by rsbriggs; 08-08-2003 at 09:49 PM.
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  3. #3
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    Instructions for people who aren't Guru's


    [Downloading the ltsp packages]

    log into Gnome and run mozilla.
    download these files from ltsp.org

    ltsp_core-3.0.9-0.i386.rpm
    ltsp_kernel-3.0.9-0.i386.rpm
    ltsp_local_apps-3.0.0-0.i386.rpm
    pxestuff-3.0.5-i386.tgz

    [Installing the ltsp packages]

    Double click the home icon and you should see the downloaded files.
    Just double click on them and let the RPM package manager install for you.

    Unarchive pxestuff-3.0.5-i386.tgz
    Just double click on it and extract the pxestuff folder.

    Open the pxestuff folder, click on Edit then Select_ALL Files from the Edit menu
    All the files and the pxelinux.cfg folder should turn blue.
    Click the right mouse button inside the folder and choose copy files from the menu.

    Click the up button until you get to / and open the tftpboot folder
    Open the lts folder, click the right mouse button inside the open lts folder and select paste from the menu.

    All the files from the pxeboot folder should now be inside the tftpboot/lts folder including the pxeclient.cfg subdirectory.


    [Creating some working directories]

    Click back a couple of times until you are at /
    Right click some empty space inside the folder and select New Folder
    Rename the new folder DF

    Open the DF folder
    Right click some empty space inside the folder and select New Folder
    Rename the new folder ws001

    Right click some empty space inside the folder and select New Folder
    Rename the new folder ws002

    You need to create a ws folder for all your nodes, so if you are planning on having more than two, create more folders inside DF.
    Just increment the trailing digit by one each time.

    Click the up arrow and you will be back at /
    Double click opt and it will open with one folder inside called ltsp.
    Double click the ltsp folderand you will see a i386 folder.
    Double click the i386 folder and it will open up.
    Right click on some empty space inside the folder and select new folder.
    Call this folder DF


    end of part one

  4. #4
    Not here rsbriggs's Avatar
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    Couldn't wait for Red Hat to fix their technical difficulties, so we continue on.

    Step 3

    As root, open a terminal window. Navigate to where the downloaded files were placed. Install the downloaded files by entering

    rpm -ivh ltsp_core-3.0.9-0.i386.rpm
    rpm -ivh ltsp_kernel-3.0.9-0.i386.rpm
    rpm -ivh ltsp_local_apps-3.0.0-0.i386.rpm
    tar zxvf pxestuff-3.0.5-i386.tgz

    then do
    cd /opt/ltsp/templates
    ./ltsp_initialize

    and just apply the changes. Then change to the directory where pxestuff unpacked, and follow the instructions in the README file. The last step in the README is to copy the file /etc/dhcpd.example to /etc/dhcpd.conf and edit it. I left it as it was, except that I had to change all instances of 192.168.0 to be 192.168.2 AND
    change the file so that the shared network WORKSTATIONS section looked like this:

    Code:
    shared-network WORKSTATIONS {
        subnet 192.168.2.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
            range 192.168.2.101 192.168.2.200;
        }



    (at this point, I'm impatient, so I'm going to try to start everything in a default configuration)

    /etc/rc.d/init.d/portmap restart
    /etc/rc.d/init.d/named restart (gave me an error message, but started)
    /etc/rc.d/init.d/xinetd restart
    /etc/rc.d/init.d/dhcpd restart
    /etc/rc.d/init.d/nfs restart (some error messages, but started)

    I tail -f /var/log/messages and start my reference board, a VIA EPIA 800 Mhz mini. I see several DHCPDISCOVER and DHCPOFFER 192.168.2.200 to the via, but it complains that no file name was received. At this point, I at least have DHCP going. Now to edit a few more config files, and get this puppy to boot....

    Last edited by rsbriggs; 08-08-2003 at 11:13 PM.
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  5. #5
    Not here rsbriggs's Avatar
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    A trick

    Looking around the net some, I find the following little trick that can be used in the /etc/dhcpd.conf file :

    Code:
    shared-network WORKSTATIONS {
      subnet 192.168.2.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
         range dynamic-bootp 192.168.2.100 192.168.2.253;
         use-host-decl-names       on;
         option log-servers        192.168.2.254;
    
         # trick from Peter Rundle <peter.rundle@au.interpath.net>
         if substring (option vendor-class-identifier, 0, 9) = "PXEClient"
         {
            filename      "/lts/pxelinux.0";
              # NOTE: kernels are specified in /tftpboot/lts/pxe/pxelinux.cfg/
         }
         else
         {
            filename    "/lts/vmlinuz-2.4.21-ltsp";
         }
      }
    }
    and my reference board TRIES to boot. Got a good message in the /var/log/messages file - rpc.mountd: refused mount request from ws253.ltsp for /opt/ltsp/i386 (/): no export entry.

    OOOps - have to edit the /opt/ltsp/i386/etc/lts.conf file - change references to 192.168.0 to be 192.168.2

    [Default]
    SERVER = 192.168.0.254
    should be 192.168.2.254

    It's looking in the wrong subnet for the server

    (Also change RUNLEVEL = 5 to be a 2 instead... This would change the netbooted startup from an Xterminal log into the server to just a local bash shell - when the board boots, you can actually run things locally on the netbooted board. X isn't set up correctly to run, so you have to do this, I guess.)

    And one last thing I found that I missed, you have to change the 192.168.0.0 entries in /etc/exports to be 192.168.2.254, then restart the NFS server with /etc/rc/.d/init.d/nfs restart

    fiddle with /opt/ltsp/i386/etc/lts.conf - add nearly everything including RCFILE_01 = startfah to the default section.

    add startfah to /opt/ltsp/i386/etc/rc.d with a /bin/bash --login -i

    AND MY REFERENCE BOARD BOOTS and runs a bash prompt....


    whew... tomorrow fiddle with /opt/ltsp/i386/etc/rc.local to mount a local /home on the netbooted card, change my fah script to start something in the home directory, and I'm ready to run DF on netbooted boards.


    Notice that I don't tie my MAC addresses to any entries in dhcpd.conf file - I just let server pass out addresses to the netbooted boards.... Guess I'll have to change that - if you don't do the assignment, the client board doesn't receive a hostname....

    Last edited by rsbriggs; 08-09-2003 at 08:15 PM.
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  6. #6
    Not here rsbriggs's Avatar
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    Well, found that I really DO need to tie my mac addresses to a hostname in dhcpd.conf

    Starting on trying to get the M7NCD Pro board booted - it uses the Nforce-2 chip set.... On first try, it simply hangs during the PXE boot up sequence.... PCZ had a fix for that....

    Need to download the file syslinux-2.05.tar.gz from ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/boot/syslinux

    unzip and untar the thing. find the file pxelinux.0 and copy it to the /tfptboot/lts directory.


    Boots - but kernel panics - no NIC driver.... Hmmm. Easiest way to fix this???? Rebuild the kernel, or find one. Let me take a quick look around ltsp and k12ltsp web sites....


    OK - the exact problem to be solved here is to get the file nvnet.o into the directory
    /opt/ltsp/i386/lib/modules/2.4.21-ltsp-1/kernel/drivers/net

    However, I'm going to try re-building the most current ltsp kernel, rather than to attempt to find a compatible nvnet.o -file. Who knows, we might run into some other module later (like on the next board we try) that needs to be loaded, so why not go for the most general solution....

    Procedure is to download the file lbe-4.0-beta1.tgz
    tar xvzf lbe-4.0-beta1.tgz
    cd lbe
    ./build_all

    this gets all the pieces as source code and compiles everything (including the compiler.) The docs say this takes a couple of hours... Once this completes, it should be possible to take the generated kernel and modules, and replace the other ltsp stuff. Might have to re-configure the kernel and re-build it afterwards, too. Don't know yet....

    I'll let everyone know in a couple of hours.....

    Edit:

    What the docs fail to mention is the DOWNLOAD time - this new set up makes building LTSP look nearly exactly like building a Gentoo system! And, given my recent experience in that area - there are more than a few hours of DOWNLOADING to be done.... So, still going..... Currently starting a 56 Meg download of the XFREE subsystem. (Think about downloading the 188 Meg ISO image they have posted.)

    Edit: It's a couple of hours later, and it's just started to download the kernel sources. Another update in a couple MORE hours.....



    Last edited by rsbriggs; 08-09-2003 at 08:14 PM.
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  7. #7
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    Client can't draw to linux

    Attempting to run net-booted clients gives me this error
    Can't open terminal: Linux

    The DF program is trying to use linux terminal to draw to the screen, the remote nodes don't support this

    The Fix:

    Before you let the clients run on the remote nodes run through setup on the server.
    Go into the nodes working directory on the server [Delete handle.txt if it exists]
    Run ./foldit and you will be prompted for your handle, type it in.
    Go through the setup questions and say you dont want any output to terminal.
    When setup is finished the program will quit.
    Copy this directory and use it for all your other remote nodes.

  8. #8
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    Increase Ramdisk Size.

    DF needs a larger Ramdrive than default
    To increase the size of the Ramdisk:

    1:edit /tftpboot/lts/pxelinux.cfg/default
    Add the ramdisk_size=32768 command.

    prompt=0
    label linux
    kernel bzImage-2.4.21-ltsp-1
    append ramdisk_size=32768 init=/linuxrc rw root=/dev/ram0 initrd=initrd-2.4.21-ltsp-1.gz


    2:edit /opt/ltsp/i386/etc/rc.local
    Look for this section:

    echo "Creating ramdisk on /tmp"
    RAMDISK_SIZE=`get_cfg RAMDISK_SIZE 1024`
    /sbin/mke2fs -q -m0 /dev/ram1
    /bin/mount -n /dev/ram1 /tmp

    Comment out this line: RAMDISK_SIZE=`get_cfg RAMDISK_SIZE 1024`

    echo "Creating ramdisk on /tmp"
    #RAMDISK_SIZE=`get_cfg RAMDISK_SIZE 1024`
    /sbin/mke2fs -q -m0 /dev/ram1
    /bin/mount -n /dev/ram1 /tmp

    3:edit /opt/ltsp/i386/etc/lts.conf
    If there is any reference to ramdisk size either change the value to 32768
    or comment the line out with a #

  9. #9
    Not here rsbriggs's Avatar
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    Re: Client can't draw to linux

    Originally posted by PCZ
    Attempting to run net-booted clients gives me this error
    Can't open terminal: Linux

    The DF program is trying to use linux terminal to draw to the screen, the remote nodes don't support this

    The Fix:

    Before you let the clients run on the remote nodes run through setup on the server.
    Go into the nodes working directory on the server [Delete handle.txt if it exists]
    Run ./foldit and you will be prompted for your handle, type it in.
    Go through the setup questions and say you dont want any output to terminal.
    When setup is finished the program will quit.
    Copy this directory and use it for all your other remote nodes.
    The "better fix" (tm)

    This is happening because the ncurses (libncurses.so.4, which is probably symlinked to libncurses.so.5) needs terminal info to be able to display anything on the screen. It USED to be in termcap, but is now stored in the terminfo directory.

    1.) Find out where the terminfo directory is on your system (probably /usr/share)
    2.) make the same directory under /opt/ltsp/i386/ if yours was in /usr/share, then do: mkdir /opt/ltsp/i386/usr/share/terminfo
    3.) now copy all the contents of the one from your system over to the clients directory:

    cp -R /opt/ltsp/i386/usr/share/terminfo /opt/ltsp/i386/usr/share/terminfo

    boot the client. Now you can actually run ./foldit on a client machine, and watch the pretty ascii drawings, if you want.....
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  10. #10
    Not here rsbriggs's Avatar
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    Main Checklist

    Checklist for setting up net-boot farm server, providing separate sub-domains and doing IP masquerading. Each item on the checklist has an expansion message....


    1.) Install Red Hat 9.0
    2.) Download and install the LTSP (terminal server) software
    3.) Setup PXE
    4.)



    Additional References:

    General Overview:

    http://ws9.jobnegotiator.com/html/netboot.html
    http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/a...ss_Farm_1.html
    Last edited by rsbriggs; 08-19-2003 at 07:55 PM.
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  11. #11
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    Checklist item 1

    Checklist #1 - download and install Red Hat Linux 9.0

    Use a download manager / download speed-up software like IDM (www.internetdownloadmanager.com) for doing big downloads (like downloading the distribution .ISO images.) It makes a BIG difference speed wise (4x in my case), and you can pause/resume downloads and recover from interrupted downloads due to power or ISP outages. At 256K DSL connection speeds, it will take about 4 hours per .ISO image, and there are three images in the Red Hat 9.0 set. One good place to download Linux distributions from is http://www.linuxiso.org

    Why Red Hat? I spent WEEKS investigating other distributions, like Mandrake 9.1, Gentoo, Knoppix installed to the hard drive, Debian, SUSE via FTP install, and so on. Red Hat may not be the "sexiest" distro, or provide support for the absolute latest-and-greatest hardware, or even run things the fastest, but it is a very solid distribution. All of the additional packages we are going to install are readily available as Red Hat .RPM files, which simplifies the installation process considerably. Other distros may work for you - if you have a favorite then feel free to use it - but you are on your own as far as modifying the procedure presented here to work for your particular distribution.

    Another note about downloading and installing - I had several CD's "go bad" on me for no apparent reason after an initial period of working with no problem (I'm now working off my third copy of the initial Red Hat install disk.) I recommend that you spend the few minutes it takes to do the CD test at the beginning of the install, rather than just skipping over it.

    If space isn't an issue for you, then do an "everything" installation, by selecting "custom" when asked for the type of install. On the next screen, scroll down to the bottom, and check the "install everything" box. This will put a few megabytes of things out there you probably have no use for, like Slovakian and Ukrainian man pages, or Greek KDE support. If this is really bothersome, also check the little box at the bottom where it says "individual package selection". On the next screen you will be able to de-select packages that you don't want to install.

    After installing, I recommend that you spend the time to connect to the Red Hat network and set up a demo entitlement. This will allow you to update anything that has changed or been upgraded since the distribution was released. In my case, it takes about 4 hours to download everything including the latest kernel release.
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  12. #12
    Not here rsbriggs's Avatar
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    Checklist Item 2

    Checklist Item 2

    Assuming that you have correctly installed your new Red Hat, you should now be booted into your nice new install, and have network connectivity. Make certain that both of your network cards are set up, and active.

    Fire up your choice of browsers, and head to the following link: http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...group_id=17723
    (Since links change over time, this is where the "download software" selection of http://www.ltsp.org takes you)

    Download the following .RPM files from the 3.0 section:

    ltsp_core-3.0.9-0.i386.rpm
    ltsp_kernel-3.0.9-0.i386.rpm
    ltsp_local_apps-3.0.0-0.i386.rpm


    and these additional files

    pxestuff-3.0.5-i386.tgz (PXE boot files)
    ltspcfg (from the 4.0 section. This is a new PERL script that is supposed to make setting up an LTSP system "easier".)


    NOTE:
    grab this file from ltsp.org: ltsp_kernel-3.0.10-i386.tgz
    in place of the 0.9 version


    As root, install / unpack the packages like so:

    rpm -ivh ltsp_core-3.0.9-0.i386.rpm
    rpm -ivh ltsp_kernel-3.0.10-0.i386.rpm
    rpm -ivh ltsp_local_apps-3.0.0-0.i386.rpm (optional step)
    tar zxvf pxestuff-3.0.5-i386.tgz

    then do:

    cd /opt/ltsp/templates
    ./ltsp_initialize

    and choose to apply the changes.

    The last step will create several files that you can use as a starting point for further modification, such as dhcpd.conf.example. After editing this file, it would be moved to the same name minus the .example on the end.

    In fact, when you do an accept, the following files will be modified on your system (this doesn't include the X related files, since we won't be running X on the clients):
    Code:
     /etc/dhcpd.conf.example                    Example config file for dhcp 
     /etc/exports                                           The config file for nfs 
     /etc/hosts.allow                                    Configuration file for tcp wrappers 
     /etc/inittab                                              Config file for init 
     /etc/rc.d/rc5.d/S60nfs                           Startup links for nfs
     /etc/rc.d/rc5.d/S13portmap                 Startup links for portmapper  
     /etc/sysconfig/syslog                            Startup info for syslogd 
     /etc/xinetd.d/tftp                                     Enable the tftp daemon
    ---end---
    Last edited by rsbriggs; 08-19-2003 at 08:01 PM.
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  13. #13
    Target Butt IronBits's Avatar
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    Change to the directory where pxestuff unpacked, and follow the instructions in the README file. The last step in the README is to copy the file /etc/dhcpd.example to /etc/dhcpd.conf and edit it.
    Ok, I'm with you so far and I'll get to the README tonight

    Ok, so I stayed home...

    I am all confused

    Let me give you my network setup.
    This way you can get me going in the right direction the first time

    DNS Server 192.168.2.2 (dbestern.com)
    DHCP 192.168.2.2 range 100-122 (dbestern.com)

    Redhat SERVER 192.168.2.20 (epox.dbestern.net)
    DHCP Server 192.168.2.20 range 50-75 (dbestern.net)
    TFTP Server 192.168.2.20

    GATEWAY 192.168.2.1

    I want the PXE clients on the dbestern.net, using dynamic IPs.
    I have followd PCZ and rsbriggs to a "T" I think.
    except for Bob's perl script.

    Give me the steps
    1) edit this
    2) edit that
    3) go here edit this and that
    4) reboot 6x, cross all toes, bang head on kitchen counter twice
    5) anything I missed ?

    thanks!
    I can feel the "POWER" coming soon

  14. #14
    Not here rsbriggs's Avatar
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    Are you down through as far as this ?

    As root, install/unpack the packages like so:

    rpm -ivh ltsp_core-3.0.9-0.i386.rpm
    rpm -ivh ltsp_kernel-3.0.9-0.i386.rpm
    rpm -ivh ltsp_local_apps-3.0.0-0.i386.rpm
    tar zxvf pxestuff-3.0.5-i386.tgz

    then do:

    cd /opt/ltsp/templates
    ./ltsp_initialize
    I'll be continuing on from that point this evening - don't panic.....

    Now what I'm describing builds something along the following lines, and assumes that you have a box with two NICs, and that you are going to be using a different subnet for the "farm" to keep it separate from the other network:

    windows <-- 192.168.0.x ---[ net-boot server ]--- 192.168.2.x---> Linux-farm

    The net-boot server will be doing IP-Masquerading and routing for the 'farm side". There is a separate NIC in the net-boot server for each side of the network. I believe that eth0 (->current windows network) on my box is a RealTek card, and that eth1 (->the new farm subnet) is an e1000 card on the server motherboard.

    Funny that it finds the add-in card before finding the NIC on the motherboard.....
    Last edited by rsbriggs; 08-19-2003 at 12:28 PM.
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  15. #15
    Target Butt IronBits's Avatar
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    Yes, done all that - this will only have
    one NIC card,
    one subnet, all on
    one LAN, no need for Masquerading and routing
    Typical home LAN setup, protected by an SMC router/firewall.
    I just need to know what files need to be edited and how to get it working on the first ws001 node, step by step...
    Thanks!

  16. #16
    Not here rsbriggs's Avatar
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    Then...maybe PCZ could jump in here??

    I'm uncertain just how to set this up on a single sub-net. The problem being, I don't know how, exactly, to guarantee that a DHCP request gets handled by the Linux server, rather than being handled by whatever box is currently handling DHCP requests on your network (possibly, your router?)

    ( Assuming that there is a simple solution, I wouldn't mind running mine in that fashion, as well. Trouble is, I have an "internet connection sharing" box on the windows network that believes that it has the right to dole out IP addresses in response to DHCP requests.... )
    FreeDC Mercenary


  17. #17
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    You do not need to setup 2 networks.

    All you need to do is turn off the existing DHCP server on your network.

    You can easily set up dhcpd to do the work that your existing DHCP server did as well as support PXE clients.

    Here is my dhcp.conf.

    The PXE strings should be one long line not split over 2 .



    # Sample configuration file for ISCD dhcpd
    #
    # Make changes to this file and copy it to /etc/dhcpd.conf
    #
    ddns-update-style none;

    default-lease-time 432000;
    max-lease-time 864000;

    option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;
    option broadcast-address 172.31.158.255;
    option routers 172.31.158.250;
    option domain-name-servers 172.31.158.100;
    option netbios-name-servers 172.31.158.100;
    option domain-name "itsoapbox.com";
    option root-path "172.31.158.240:/opt/ltsp/i386";
    option log-servers 172.31.158.240;

    shared-network WORKSTATIONS {
    subnet 172.31.158.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
    range 172.31.158.1 172.31.158.99;
    }
    }
    group {
    use-host-decl-names on;
    host ws001 {
    hardware ethernet 00:E0:18:D9:1A:02;
    fixed-address 172.31.158.101;
    filename "/lts/pxelinux.0";
    option vendor-encapsulated-options 09:0f:80:00:0c:4e:65:74:77:6f:72:6b:20:62:6f:6f:74:0a:07:00:50:72:6f:6d:70:74:06:01:02:08:03:80:00:0 0:47:04:80:00:00:00:ff;
    }
    host ws002 {
    hardware ethernet 00:0C:6E:2D:DE:BD;
    fixed-address 172.31.158.102;
    filename "/lts/pxelinux.0";
    option vendor-encapsulated-options 09:0f:80:00:0c:4e:65:74:77:6f:72:6b:20:62:6f:6f:74:0a:07:00:50:72:6f:6d:70:74:06:01:02:08:03:80:00:0 0:47:04:80:00:00:00:ff;
    }
    host ws003 {
    hardware ethernet 00:0C:6E:2D:DE:93;
    fixed-address 172.31.158.103;
    filename "/lts/pxelinux.0";
    option vendor-encapsulated-options 09:0f:80:00:0c:4e:65:74:77:6f:72:6b:20:62:6f:6f:74:0a:07:00:50:72:6f:6d:70:74:06:01:02:08:03:80:00:0 0:47:04:80:00:00:00:ff;
    }
    host ws004 {
    hardware ethernet 00:0C:6E:2D:DE:8F;
    fixed-address 172.31.158.104;
    filename "/lts/pxelinux.0";
    option vendor-encapsulated-options 09:0f:80:00:0c:4e:65:74:77:6f:72:6b:20:62:6f:6f:74:0a:07:00:50:72:6f:6d:70:74:06:01:02:08:03:80:00:0 0:47:04:80:00:00:00:ff;
    }
    host ws005 {
    hardware ethernet 00:0C:6E:2D:DF:9E;
    fixed-address 172.31.158.105;
    filename "/lts/pxelinux.0";
    option vendor-encapsulated-options 09:0f:80:00:0c:4e:65:74:77:6f:72:6b:20:62:6f:6f:74:0a:07:00:50:72:6f:6d:70:74:06:01:02:08:03:80:00:0 0:47:04:80:00:00:00:ff;
    }
    }

  18. #18
    Not here rsbriggs's Avatar
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    Every instance of 172.31.158 needs to be replaced with your network address, like 192.168.2 (IronBits) or 192.168.0 (me).

    Looks like IB has the same issue with DHCP servers:

    DNS Server 192.168.2.2 (dbestern.com)
    DHCP 192.168.2.2 range 100-122 (dbestern.com)

    Redhat SERVER 192.168.2.20 (epox.dbestern.net)
    DHCP Server 192.168.2.20 range 50-75 (dbestern.net)
    TFTP Server 192.168.2.20


    Might have to turn off the dbestern.com DHCP?

    The example in PCZs file is assigning fixed hostname/IP address based on the
    MAC address of the connecting node.

    Code:
    host ws002 {
    hardware ethernet 00:0C:6E:2DE:BD;
    fixed-address 172.31.158.102;

    And passing out other addresses in the range of .1 to .99

    Code:
    shared-network WORKSTATIONS {
      subnet 172.31.158.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
         range 172.31.158.1 172.31.158.99; 
      }
    }
    FreeDC Mercenary


  19. #19
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    172.31.158.240 is the linux boot server.
    172.31.158.250 is my ADSL router

  20. #20
    Target Butt IronBits's Avatar
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    How do I find out the MAC address of the NICs as they boot up?
    Is there a way around that, so that it will just pick one and use it?

  21. #21
    Not here rsbriggs's Avatar
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    You have to look at the board. If they are in a case , you might be able to get around this by taking a look at /var/log/messages on the server as they attempt to boot up - I believe the requesting MAC address shows in the DHCP request message that gets logged.

    You could not use MAC addresses, and simply allow the boards to get assigned an IP, but......

    Maybe my system was mis-configured before, but I found that in that case they didn't end up knowing their host-name. If you want to set up host-specific directories for them to log into on the server, this is a problem....

    (You can maybe do it via IP address instead of host-name? Hmmm. Interesting idea... )
    FreeDC Mercenary


  22. #22
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    connect up an ethernet cable to the board boot it up and it will attempt to PXE boot
    if it detects a network then you will see the mac address on the screen.

  23. #23
    Target Butt IronBits's Avatar
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    Aug 19 13:57:35 epox dhcpd: DHCPNAK on 192.168.2.105 to 00:e0:4c:a6:70:ae via eth0
    Aug 19 13:57:40 epox dhcpd: DHCPDISCOVER from 00:e0:4c:a6:70:ae via eth0
    Aug 19 13:57:40 epox dhcpd: DHCPOFFER on 192.168.2.201 to 00:e0:4c:a6:70:ae via eth0
    Aug 19 13:57:40 epox dhcpd: DHCPREQUEST for 192.168.2.201 (192.168.2.20) from 00:e0:4c:a6:70:ae via eth0
    Aug 19 13:57:40 epox dhcpd: DHCPACK on 192.168.2.201 to 00:e0:4c:a6:70:ae via eth0
    Aug 19 13:58:22 epox dhcpd: DHCPRELEASE of 192.168.2.201 from 00:e0:4c:a6:70:ae via eth0 (not found)
    It did get IP .201 ok
    Am I close?

  24. #24
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    Dont forget to edit the hosts file. /etc/hosts
    You must have an entry for each node for host declared names to work properly

    Here is my hosts file.

    # Do not remove the following line, or various programs
    # that require network functionality will fail.
    127.0.0.1 Red-Hat-Serv localhost.itsoapbox.com localhost
    172.31.158.240 server
    172.31.158.101 ws001
    172.31.158.102 ws002
    172.31.158.103 ws003
    172.31.158.104 ws004
    172.31.158.105 ws005
    172.31.158.106 ws006
    172.31.158.107 ws007
    172.31.158.108 ws008

  25. #25
    Target Butt IronBits's Avatar
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    Ok, done that - now this
    Aug 19 13:58:52 epox dhcpd: DHCPOFFER on 192.168.2.201 to 00:e0:4c:a6:70:ae via eth0
    Aug 19 13:58:52 epox dhcpd: DHCPREQUEST for 192.168.2.201 (192.168.2.20) from 00:e0:4c:a6:70:ae via eth0
    Aug 19 13:58:52 epox dhcpd: DHCPACK on 192.168.2.201 to 00:e0:4c:a6:70:ae via eth0
    It is getting IP .201, but doesn't boot from NIC yet.
    HOSTS
    127.0.0.1 epox localhost.localdomain localhost
    172.31.158.20 server
    192.168.2.201 ws001
    192.168.2.202 ws002
    192.168.2.203 ws003
    192.168.2.204 ws004
    192.168.2.205 ws005
    192.168.2.206 ws006
    dhcpd.conf
    ddns-update-style none;

    default-lease-time 432000;
    max-lease-time 864000;

    option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;
    option broadcast-address 192.168.2.255;
    option routers 192.168.2.1;
    option domain-name-servers 192.168.2.2;
    option netbios-name-servers 192.168.2.2;
    option domain-name "dbestern.net";
    option root-path "192.168.2.20:/opt/ltsp/i386";
    option log-servers 192.168.2.20;

    shared-network WORKSTATIONS {
    subnet 192.168.2.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
    range 192.168.2.50 192.168.2.99;
    }
    }
    group {
    use-host-decl-names on;
    host ws001 {
    hardware ethernet 00:e0:4c:a6:70:ae;
    fixed-address 192.168.2.201;
    filename "/lts/pxelinux.0";
    option vendor-encapsulated-options 09:0f:80:00:0c:4e:65:74:77:6f:72:6b:20:62:6f:6f:74:0a:07:00:50:72:6f:6d:70:74:06:01:02:08:03:80:00:0 0:47:04:80:00:00:00:ff;
    }

  26. #26
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    You have one of these missing } at the end of the file.

    Restart the dhcpd service after you edit the dhcpd.conf.

    From the start menu in the GUI
    System Settings Server Settings Services

    Highlight dhcp and restart if your config is wrong it wont start.

  27. #27
    Target Butt IronBits's Avatar
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    It's there, I just didn't post the rest of the workstations below, thus the missing closing brace. dhcpd is running fine... PXE is not finding anything...
    Biostar M7VIQ Rhine II VT6013 cards... maybe I should toss in a 3com PXE boot card
    Says on the boot screen

    Intel UNDI, PXE-2.0 (build 082)
    ...
    VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter v2.13 (2002/08/09)

    PXE-MOF: Exiting Intel PXE ROM.

    BOOT DISK FAILURE <--- becuase I have everything else disabled for boot up sequence.
    tail /var/log/messages shows
    Aug 19 14:09:57 epox dhcpd: DHCPREQUEST for 192.168.2.201 from 00:e0:4c:a6:70:ae via eth0
    Aug 19 14:09:57 epox dhcpd: DHCPACK on 192.168.2.201 to 00:e0:4c:a6:70:ae via eth0

  28. #28
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    Try another card, dont forget it will have a different mac address.

    Also there must be no spaces in the vendor options string and it MUST be one continuous line.

  29. #29
    Target Butt IronBits's Avatar
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    OK, now I'm getting excited!!!

    TFTP timeout! I'm close... I must not have done the tftp server part yet.

    NEXT?!?!?!

  30. #30
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    Do you have a tftpboot directory ?
    /tftpboot

    there should be a directory called lts in there.

    you need the files from the pxestuff archive extracted into lts.

    make sure the tftp service is started.



    Last edited by PCZ; 08-19-2003 at 05:41 PM.

  31. #31
    Target Butt IronBits's Avatar
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    Ok, ran the tftp script rsbriggs had to get tftp server running ok.
    See something about 16 RAM disks of 32678 each?
    bunch of other stuff, then...
    running dhclient
    mouting root filesystem: /opt/ltsp/i386 from: 192.168.2.20


  32. #32
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    you need to create some directories if you haven't already

    This is what I did.

    Create a directory called DF /opt/ltsp/i386/DF
    Create a directory called DF /DF
    Create subdirectories off /DF

    /DF/ws001
    /DF/ws002

    and so on one for each node.

    you need to edit /etc/exports
    ---------------------------------------------------------

    ## LTS-begin ##

    #
    # The lines between the 'LTS-begin' and the 'LTS-end' were added
    # on: Tue Aug 5 08:08:30 BST 2003 by the ltsp installation script.
    # For more information, visit the ltsp homepage
    # at http://www.ltsp.org
    #

    /opt/ltsp/i386 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.0(rw,no_root_squash,sync)
    /var/opt/ltsp/swapfiles 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.0(rw,no_root_squash,async)

    /DF/ws001 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.0(rw,no_root_squash,sync)
    /DF/ws002 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.0(rw,no_root_squash,sync)
    /DF/ws003 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.0(rw,no_root_squash,sync)
    /DF/ws004 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.0(rw,no_root_squash,sync)
    /DF/ws005 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.0(rw,no_root_squash,sync)

    ## LTS-end ##

    ----------------------------------------------------------

  33. #33
    Not here rsbriggs's Avatar
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    Is he going to need to change 192.168.2.0 in /etc/exports
    to his servers address -> 192.168.2.20 ??
    FreeDC Mercenary


  34. #34
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    No

    The 192.168.2.0 is the subnet.
    What this means is that any access from that network will get root rights

  35. #35
    Target Butt IronBits's Avatar
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    Did the /etc/export edit PCZ
    There is nothing in /DF/ws001 is that right?

    Also, the Server locks up right after it says dfclient

  36. #36
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    Have you edited /opt/ltsp/i386/etc/rc.local yet ?

    Also you need to make the ramdrive bigger if it is still 1024 k.

  37. #37
    Target Butt IronBits's Avatar
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    Originally posted by PCZ
    Have you edited /opt/ltsp/i386/etc/rc.local yet ?

    Also you need to make the ramdrive bigger if it is still 1024 k.
    It says I have 16 RAM disks of 32 something each!

    I'm swapping out motherboards/NICs - the damn thing keeps lockiing up... give me a few.

    What would I edit rc.local to? Think NEWBIE I haven't a CLUE what I'm doing yet.

  38. #38
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    are you trying to run the dfclient already and if so in what directory.

  39. #39
    Target Butt IronBits's Avatar
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    I don't have a clue here /DF/ws001 I guess

    On the client, I now see eth0: setting full duplex...
    so I'm getting further - I'd settle for a shell prompt # or something at this point

  40. #40
    Administrator PCZ's Avatar
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    IB

    I thought you had the node booted to the bash prompt already.

    Try and describe how far you are getting in the boot process.

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