Install CentOS from NFS-share

jonaskellens · 11-10-2009, 01:42 PM

I have setup an NFS-share :

Code:

[root@jocan usr]# showmount -e
Export list for nfs.jocan.local:
/var/install *

Portmap and nfs are running.

When trying to install a CentOS-server over the network from the NFS-share, the installation stalls...

The output on alt-F3 is :

Code:

<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 not responding, still trying
<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 not responding, still trying
<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 not responding, still trying
<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 OK
<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 not responding, still trying
<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 OK
<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 not responding, still trying
<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 OK
<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 not responding, still trying
<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 OK

But the installation does not continue... Now after waiting 15 minutes.
And according to the RHCE prep guide, this should be the fastest way of installing RedHat/CentOS.

What is failing ?

EDIT : some new information on the prompt :

Code:

<4> Unable to identify CD-ROM format
<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 not responding, still trying
<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 OK
<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 not responding, still trying
<5> nfs: server 192.168.1.250 not responding, still trying

kbp · 11-10-2009, 04:25 PM

Assuming that nfs.jocan.local resolves to 192.168.1.250, can you please boot off a live cd and attempt to mount the nfs share ?

cheers

jonaskellens · 11-10-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbp

Assuming that nfs.jocan.local resolves to 192.168.1.250, can you please boot off a live cd and attempt to mount the nfs share ?

cheers

Why would there be a need to resolve nfs.jocan.local ? I gave the IP-address of the nfs-server, so there would not have to be a resolving-issue (although I have a DNS-server).

It is clear that my server is trying to contact 192.168.1.250 directly.

kbp · 11-10-2009, 07:49 PM

I wasn't suggesting that name resolution was required... in one section you show that you are exporting from nfs.jocan.local and in another you show connection attempts to 192.168.1.250, it was not clear that they were the same host

Have you attempted to mount the share from a live cd yet ?

cheers

jonaskellens · 11-11-2009, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbp

Have you attempted to mount the share from a live cd yet ?

From live-cd :

Code:

[root@localhost centos]# mount 192.168.1.250:/var/install /mnt

works like a charm. No problem at all.

SElinux on the NFS-server is permissive, iptables is up but not blocking any internal traffic.

The NFS-share on 192.168.1.250 (/var/install/) contains the installation cd's of CentOS. Copied them all with "cp -var" to this directory.

Any ideas ?

kbp · 11-11-2009, 06:56 AM

Can you check the hidden file '.discinfo' in the root of your share ? ... you may have overwritten it with the one from the last cd. It will need to be modified in any case otherwise the install will think not all the cd's are present, ensure yours matches as per the red text

Code:

1237647910.535193
Final
i386
1,2,3,4,5,6
CentOS/base
/home/buildcentos/CENTOS/5.3/en/i386/CentOS
CentOS/pixmaps

cheers

jonaskellens · 11-11-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbp

Can you check the hidden file '.discinfo' in the root of your share ?

I have not overwritten the .discinfo file. Would this be causing the error ? The only .discinfo that's present is this one of the first cd.

For all the other .discinfo-files I have answered 'no' when it was asked to overwrite the file.

What is the correct way to copy the installation cd's ?

kbp · 11-11-2009, 08:07 PM

The method you used was fine, the only difference between them is the 4th line which indicates the cd number. You need to modify yours as listed above so that the installation can use files from all the cd's

cheers