CentOS Install - Starting a Kickstart

linux centos centos6 kickstart

5,816

With EL6, all you need to type is ks=http://example.com/ks/ks.cfg. You don't need linux anymore.

As for network configuration, you can enter some basic network parameters at the same prompt... Most people prefer DHCP, the default... but something like this also works... Append this to the boot line:

ks=http://example.com/ks/ks.cfg ip=192.168.10.17 netmask=255.255.255.0 dns=192.168.10.22 gateway=192.168.10.1 ksdev=eth0

Note - Be sure to make sure that there's no problem reaching the kickstart URL from the server's network (web filters/firewalls/etc.)

Hit TAB to enter the boot menu. enter image description here

Append the kickstart configuration information after initrd.img. enter image description here

Hit Enter to start booting.
enter image description here

If you don't specify ksdevice=, you'll be prompted for an interface to load kickstart data from. enter image description here

5,816

Steve

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

Steve over 1 year
I have a kickstart file hosted. Let's say it is hosted at http://example.com/ks/ks.cfg

I booted the CentOS 6.2 media and hit tab. Before editing anything this shows:
```
vmlinuz initrd=initrd.img 
```
I have been reading online and I found that I should replace that with this:
```
linux ks=http://example.com/ks/ks.cfg
```
I have two questions about this:

1) Once I hit enter, it is suppose to save, right? If I hit tab again it appears to be back to the original "vmlinuz initrd=initrd.img". Why isn't it saving?

2) I am considering using a disk or floppy instead to hold the kickstart. If I am to continue with the hosted kickstart file, how can I configure the network before the install to ensure that the server can access the kickstart file to install?

Sorry if any of these questions are amateurish!
Steve over 11 years

I click "Tab" to edit the boot option, type this in, and hit enter. Then, to choose the option, I hit enter again. However, it proceeds as normal, without the kickstart. Would you know why?
ewwhite over 11 years

Browse to the kickstart URL to make sure it actually works. I'm assuming you made a kickstart file, uploaded it to a web-accessible host and can see it from the server's network.
Steve over 11 years

Yes, I made sure that the kickstart file is available and accessible. So, if it isn't working, this means the server is not able to access the kickstart file?
Steve over 11 years

Just as a note. Just now, I rebooted to the media and I hit Tab and enter the whole ks= along with all the IP info. I then hit enter. I hit Tab again and it seems like what I entered did not save. Could this be a possibility?
ewwhite over 11 years

See my updated post.
ewwhite over 11 years

@steve Did this resolve your issue?