Install RHEL serever 6.4 on standalone server IBM x5 using kickstart
 

Hi,

I am trying to install redhat linux server 6.4 on IBM x3690 X5 server. When i insert the rhel 6.4 iso I get the gnu grub menu, I don't get the option to hit the tab key to get to the boot prompt where I can insert my kickstart command.
The grub menu comes up with 3 options

red hat enterprise linux 6.4
install system with basic video driver
rescue
"use the up arrow and down arrow keys to select which entry is highlighted. Press enter to boot the selected OS, 'e' to edit the commands before booting, 'a' to modify the kernel arguments before booting, or 'c' for command-line"

At this point when I press the 'tab' key I don't get the boot option where I can put my kickstart http details.
When I press the 'e' key I get further 2 options:

kernel /images/pxeboot/vmlinuz
initrd /images/pxeboot/initrd.img

I change the initrd to initrd /images/pxeboot/initrdtest and then boot, the server then boots from the DVD. Which then allows me to do a fresh install of Linux. I don't get the option to put my http kickstart details.

I did use the option 'c' to get to the command line I then used the following parameters:

kernel /images/pxeboot/vmlinuz initrd=initrdtest

Next prompt I used:

boot linux text ks=http://server/.ks.cfg ksdevice=eth0 ip= netmask= gateway=

I got further but now get errors like:

VFS: Cannot open root device "(null)" or unknown-block(8.5)
Please append a correct "root=" boot option; here are the available partitions:
kernel panic - not syncing:VFS: Unable to mount rootfs on unknown-block(8,5)

I am new to installing RHEL on a standalone server, I have installed RHEL on a VM with no problems, but am having trouble doing this on a new standalone server.

Please advice.

Many thanks.

I'm not sure why you're changing the kernel and initrd, the only requirement for kickstart is to add the boot argument/s.

Hi,

Can you tell me where I can put the boot arguments and what the parameters are.

Thanks.

Ketan

I can't tell you what the parameters are as that is specific to your situation, guessing by your previous post that this is the only bit you need to worry about:

The network will use dhcp as you haven't configured it statically .. is dhcp available?

Hi,

No dhcp isn't available.

Ketan

Then you'll need to provide extra arguments to configure networking as well:

Thanks, I have tried this and now I have got further but I get the following message.

Error downloading kickstart file
unable to download the kickstart file. Please modify the kickstart parameter below or press Cancel to proceed as an interacticeinstallation.

Hi,

I have managed to get alot further, my kickstart file is getting read, but am getting an error message:

"Automatic Partitioning Errors"
The following errors occurred with your partitioning:
you have not created a /boot/efi partition
This can happen if there is not enough space on your hard drive(s) for the installation.

Press OK to exit the installer.

Please can you advice.

Ketan

Could you please post any disk related directives from your kickstart i.e. zerombr, bootloader, clearpart, part, volgroup, logvol

bootloader --location=mbr --driveorder=sda,sdb --append="crashkernel=auto rhgb quiet"
clearpart --all --initlabel --drives=sda
part /boot --fstype ext4 --size=500 --ondisk=sda
part /boot/efi --fstype="EFI System Partition" --size=500 --ondisk=sda
part pv.13 --size=1 --grow --ondisk=sda
volgroup rootvg --pesize=32768 pv.13
logvol swap --fstype swap --name=swaplv --vgname=rootvg --size=4096
logvol / --fstype ext4 --name=rootlv --vgname=rootvg --size=1024
logvol /home --fstype ext4 --name=homelv --vgname=rootvg --size=1024
logvol /tmp --fstype ext4 --name=tmplv --vgname=rootvg --size=2976
logvol /usr --fstype ext4 --name=usrlv --vgname=rootvg --size=2976
logvol /var --fstype ext4 --name=varlv --vgname=rootvg --size=992
logvol /usr/local --fstype ext4 --name=usrlocallv --vgname=rootvg --size=992
logvol /opt --fstype ext4 --name=optlv --vgname=rootvg --size=1984
logvol /xymon --fstype ext4 --name=xymonlv --vgname=rootvg --size=512
logvol /tran --fstype ext4 --name=tranlv --vgname=rootvg --size=1024
logvol /logs --fstype ext4 --name=logslv --vgname=rootvg --size=256
logvol /nmon --fstype ext4 --name=nmonlv --vgname=rootvg --size=256
logvol /perf --fstype ext4 --name=perflv --vgname=rootvg --size=512

Please add a 'zerombr' directive.