Hello Linux World,

I have a situation in which I need to be able to boot blank servers from a Linux ISO (I will be making RedHat6 and RedHat7 versions of this ISO), and pass different kernel parameters (IP, Subnet, KS boot source, nameserver, that kind of stuff) to the system. The issue is that these kernel parameters will change on every machine (this is to accommodate a semi-automated deployment of RedHat servers using kickstart (I realize there are FAR better ways of doing this, but with the restrictions placed on me by the business users and overall policy of the company, I cannot use easier methods, nor can I purchase the software I would like to use - I'm sure many of you have been there).

Basically, I want a way to customize the boot menu of an ISO (again, I will make RHEL6 and RHEL7 versions of this ISO) so that I can assign the following parameters to the machine, allowing it to boot a kickstart file on a remote server:

• IP Address
• Subnet Mask
• Default Gateway
• Boot Interface (i.e. eth0)
• DNS server (nameserver)
• Kickstart Profile (this would preferably be a drop-down list?)

Ideally, you would be prompted with a single screen that contained all these fields, set all your parameters, and then the system would continue to boot off the ISO and pass these variables into the kernel parameter string. I realize this may not at all be do-able through just the boot menu, but if anyone has any hints/tips/tricks/guides/ideas as to how I can pass these parameters interactively using a RHEL6 or RHEL7 boot iso, please feel free to offer your suggestions. Anything will help.

Thanks.

Similar to an earlier question:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...le-4175573673/

And have you checked the Red Hat knowledegbase???
https://access.redhat.com/documentat...-the-boot-menu

Since you're using RHEL 6 and 7, Red Hat support can help you with such things...these are supported features, and (since you're PAYING FOR RHEL, right???), you can get assistance with. Either the isolinux or grub2 bootloaders (depending on BIOS or UEFI) can have customized menus, but I doubt seriously you're going to be able to shove things like addresses and interfaces down the pipe with them. That's what kickstart is for...setting the DNS server, default gateway, etc., are outside the scope of things.

A *FAR* easier way would be to have such things un-configured, and have a custom script inserted into your ISO image, which you could run AFTER the server is up. That will let you configure things there, while letting you just use DHCP and kickstart to build out your servers.

1 members found this post helpful.

Thank you for the links. Yes we are paying for RHEL, but I (as a preference) tend to turn to the community first.

Also, the DHCP solution would be wonderful if we were able to place DHCP into our datacenters. That is not currently permitted.

To clarify, I guess I was looking for a simplified overlay. I already know how to pass IP information to the kernal to get it to boot from kickstart, but I was hoping to be able to create a custom menu interface/script that allowed other admins an easier way to change those parameters.

And it doesn't HAVE to be....a helper address on the VLAN where the server is, will direct it to a DHCP server. But even THAT is not needed. As stated, the server can be configured 'blank'...no network, no hostname, NOTHING....and the custom script you put in the ISO will take the parameters you enter, configure the server as needed, and reboot it. It will then come up how you like it.

Moved: This thread is more suitable in <RedHat> and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.