Hello !

Is there a way to replicate certain aspects of a server configuration in an automated fashion ? For example:

Let's say I have a server designated as a WWW machine, and after a fresh OS install, I want the following things configured on it:
- Postfix
- QPopper
- Apache

Now, let's say I have a server designated as a DB machine, and after a fresh OS install, I just want the following configured on it:
- Postgres


So, as I add WWW machines, I could install the OS on the machine, then run some "magically little script", and have all the configuration on that box done... ie: all the programs I want installed on the box, all the Users setup... etc

Right now, I have a huuuuuuuuuge checklist of things I did when I installed all the software on my box and setup the proper users, but would "love" to automate this process somehow.

I'm assuming this is a job for a shell script ? Orrrrr.... ?
Thanks for helpin' a newb out

Which distro?

Howabout... Debian ?
Oh... and throw in a little OpenBSD for spice

If for a given case the src & tgt systems are the same, inc HDD type, then dd may be what you are looking for.
RH offers a network install from a src system, others (inc) BSD may do the same.
Also, take a look at this: http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/tutorials/986/1/

Hi dylans,

What I have understand from your first post.. that you want to automate the application installation (Postfix,Apache and QPopper) and their configuration.

If so, then you will need to write a Shell script and need that to put on CD along with above packages and their config files (which you want to be set on new systems default).

After installing OS, you can execute your shell script which will install packages and copy configurations to their paths on new system.

Try this!

Thanks, Kirtimaan

kirtimaan_bkn offers a possible solution. "dd" (or rsync) is more for mirroring entire systems, which may not be what you want.

Creating a script to add users automatically isn't to difficult.
Just write a few "useradd" commands and check their return code to see if they were successful or not.

Similarly, to configure Postfix, you simply need to have the Postfix configuration files and package and then follow the following sequence in the script:
-install package (on RH, this would be something like "rpm -i postfix-...". I don't know much about Debian, so I can't help you with that.
-maybe you'll need to get some updates for the postfix package
-then simply "cp" the config files to their right location (as root)
-(re)start the postfix daemon via:
/sbin/service postfix start (or restart)

For Apache, you'll need to copy all the websites (dd may help you with that) and the Apache config files (certainly httpd.conf).
Installing Apache can be a little trickier (you'll need to have all the modules and stuff).
But, if you have, as you said, done this all before, then you should be able to retrace your steps.

Another useful trick maybe this:
-enlarge your command history (set $HISTSIZE to a large value)
-then do the install once, manually executing all the commands
-then type "history > my_install_script" and you can edit that file. It'll contain all the commands you've entered. Then all you need to do is verify those commands and maybe build in some checks to see if they worked or not and report that back to you (ie via e-mail).
Any editing of files will need to be replaced by copying of the files (with the correct settings, so after the editing) to the right path.

timmeke,

Thanks for sharing $HISTSIZE trick. I didn't think of that I can make script by this way.

Thanks, Kirtimaan.

Awesome. You guys nailed the question on the head
Thank you very much !