Automating an (Ed)ubuntu install CD
I’m involved with Camara a charity that sends computers to Africa. We use Edubuntu on all the machines. Installing Edubuntu is tedious if you have to select the same options all the time. I’ve just finished automating the installation CD. This procedure should be similar for other Ubuntu/Debian based Linux OSs.
Prepare the CD image
Firstly, download the Edubuntu CD from http://ftp.esat.net/mirrors/releases.ubuntu.com/releases/edubuntu/edgy/edubuntu-6.10-install-i386.iso. You then have to ‘unpack’ the CD contents in order to change it.
sudo mount -o loop edubuntu-6.10-install-i386.iso ./cd
cp -rT ./cd ./cd-image
sudo umount ./cd
find ./cd-image -exec chmod +w '{}' ';'
This will mount the CD image onto the directory cd, then copy the contents to the directory cd-image.
After you’ve finished modifying the cd image, this script will create the CD again, readyn for burning or emulation:
#! /bin/bash
IMAGE=camarabuntu.iso
BUILD=cd-image
mkisofs -r -V "Camarabuntu"
-cache-inodes
-J -l -b isolinux/isolinux.bin
-c isolinux/boot.cat -no-emul-boot
-boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table
-o $IMAGE $BUILD
It creates a ISO in the current directory called ‘camarabuntu.iso’
Testing the CD with an emulator
Rather than burning it to a CD, I used qemu to emulate the PC. Create a 5GB file to serve as the harddisk with this command:
dd if=/dev/zero of=./hda.img bs=10M count=500
You can emulate the installation with this command:
qemu -cdrom camarabuntu.iso -hda ./hda.img -boot d
If you compile qemu from source you can avail of kqemu, the qemu accelerator, which makes x86 emulation very fast on x86 processors. You may have to run the qemu as root. Don’t forget to load the kqemu module with
modprobe kqemu
after compilation to load it.
Customizing the splash screen
The first thing I wanted to do was change the splash screen on the install CD. The Edubuntu on is
Modify the image in cd-image/isolinux/splash.pcx. To change the menu options, modify the file cd-image/isolinux/isolinux.cfg. My version is:
DEFAULT /install/vmlinuz
GFXBOOT bootlogo
LABEL camarabuntu
menu label ^Install Edubuntu
kernel /install/vmlinuz
append file=/cdrom/preseed/camarabuntu.seed initrd=/install/initrd.gz ramdisk_size=16384 root=/dev/ram rw quiet -- locale=en_IE console-setup/layoutcode=uk
LABEL check
menu label ^Check CD for defects
kernel /install/vmlinuz
append MENU=/bin/cdrom-checker-menu initrd=/install/initrd.gz ramdisk_size=16384 root=/dev/ram rw quiet --
LABEL hd
menu label ^Boot from first hard disk
localboot 0x80
append -
DISPLAY isolinux.txt
TIMEOUT 0
PROMPT 1
F1 f1.txt
F2 f2.txt
F3 f3.txt
F4 f4.txt
F5 f5.txt
F6 f6.txt
F7 f7.txt
F8 f8.txt
F9 f9.txt
F0 f10.txt
Which results in this splash screen:
Automating the installer
Note the references to locale and keyboard layout in the kernel boot options, these values can’t be controlled in the preseed file because these are set before the preseed file is read. Put this in it’s own file in cd-image/preseed/camarabuntu.seed.
The preseed file I used is this:
# Set the installer language to Hiberno-English and UK keybaord layout
# Note: This are set before the cd is loaded, so they must be specified in the
# kernel options as so:
# locale=en_IE console-setup/layoutcode=uk
# These lines are incl
#d-i debian-installer/locale string ie_IE
#d-i console-setup/layoutcode string uk
## Network
d-i netcfg/choose_interface select auto
d-i netcfg/disable_dhcp boolean true
d-i netcfg/get_nameservers string 127.0.0.1
d-i netcfg/get_ipaddress string 127.0.0.1
d-i netcfg/get_netmask string 255.255.255.0
d-i netcfg/get_gateway string 127.0.0.1
d-i netcfg/confirm_static boolean trueable all networking, by not specifing anything here.
d-i mirror/http/proxy string
# Adjust the default hostname.
d-i netcfg/get_hostname string camarabuntu
## Partitioning
# Put everything in one partition
d-i partman-auto/disk string /dev/hda
d-i partman-auto/choose_recipe
select All files in one partition (recommended for new users)
d-i partman/confirm_write_new_label boolean true
d-i partman/choose_partition
select Finish partitioning and write changes to disk
d-i partman/confirm boolean true
# Sync clock to UTC
d-i clock-setup/utc boolean true
# Set the timezone
d-i time/zone string Europe/Dublin
## user set up
# No root
d-i passwd/root-login boolean false
# But make a normal user
d-i passwd/make-user boolean true
# Set username & password
d-i passwd/user-fullname string Camara
d-i passwd/username string camara
d-i passwd/user-password password camara
d-i passwd/user-password-again password camara
# install grub in MBR, a handy default
d-i grub-installer/with_other_os boolean true
# Install the Edubuntu desktop and server.
tasksel tasksel/first multiselect edubuntu-desktop, edubuntu-server
# don't show us the 'Installing successful' dialog
d-i finish-install/reboot_in_progress note
# XServer set up.
xserver-xorg xserver-xorg/autodetect_monitor boolean true
xserver-xorg xserver-xorg/config/display/modes multiselect 1280x1024, 800x600, 640x480
xserver-xorg xserver-xorg/config/monitor/selection-method select medium
xserver-xorg xserver-xorg/config/monitor/mode-list select 1024x768 @ 60 Hz
Which completly automates the installation of Edubuntu. All this should be familiar if you have installed Edubuntu before.
References
- Ubuntu documentaion on preseeding
- Ubuntu documentation on install CD customization
- An example preseed file
Changelog
- 7th September 2007 - Added a line to the preseed file to prevent it asking about a HTTP mirror
July 1st, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Hi there,
I just managed to create a kubuntu automated install from CD with your blog. It works perfect! Thanks
I did some research on FAI (fully automated install) to get Ubuntu installed over the network, but it looks more complex than your “Installing Edubuntu from the network” tutorial. So I am definitely gonna try this one too.
Thanks again and your blog is in my favourites
July 11th, 2007 at 8:50 am
Rory,
I am trying to get in touch with you about your trip to Zambia. I am volunteering at One World Africa and we are trying to use Ubuntu to promote open source on computers we have given out. Please contact me ASAP so we can try and meet while you are in Lusaka.
Sincerely, Nathan Muzos
September 7th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Thx for this post. do learn alot from it! : )
February 25th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Hi
It seems I might be trying to reinvent the wheel!!!
I would like not to have to keep burning CDs everytime a change or addition is required, hence my venture into imaging also if I can set it up, the server will process 10 to 15 computers every 45 - 60 mins ( in theory!!! )
April 24th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
audi so”
nnvnvnvufyyyfhfnCCvnvnvnvjffFDDDflvlvllvCCVvvmvmvmCCC
April 25th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Slot machines…
Slot machine…
April 26th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Poker Online…
Online Poker…
April 29th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Online Poker Sites…
Online Poker Sites
Casino Games
Play Poker
Online Gambling
Keno
Free Slots
Top Online Casinos…
May 1st, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Download Ringtones…
Polyphonic Ringtones
Polyphonic Ringtones free
Potter Ringtones
Real music Ringtones
Real Ringtones
Ringtone
Ringtone converter
Ringtones for motorola cell phones
Ringtones free
Ringtone creator
Ringtone maker
Ringtones…
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:37 am
24 Ringtone…
Sprint Ringtones
Star wars Ringtones
Totally free Ringtones
…
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:45 am
Ringtones free…
Voice Ringtones
Wildlife Ringtones
Xmas Ringtones
…
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Idol Ringtones�…
Alltel Ringtones
American idol Ringtones
At t Ringtones
…
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Blackberry Ringtones…
Christian Ringtones
Cingular Ringtones
Cingular wireless Ringtones
…
May 3rd, 2008 at 2:16 am
sZsZPg doors2.txt;6;6
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:39 am
Samsung Ringtones…
Ctu Ringtone
Dave matthews band Ringtones
Disney Ringtones
…
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Motorola Ringtones free…
Funny Ringtones
Ghost Ringtone
High school musical Ringtones
…
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
College Ringtones…
Make your own Ringtones
Mobile Ringtones
Mosquito Ringtone
…
May 4th, 2008 at 4:17 am
Totally free Ringtones…
Nascar Ringtones
Nextel Ringtones
Nokia Ringtone
…
May 4th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Paul van dyk Ringtones…
Real music Ringtones
Real Ringtones
Ringtone
…
May 4th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Download free Ringtones…
Ringtones
Ringtones for a samsung
Ringtones for motorola
…
May 5th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Xmas Ringtones…
Silent Ringtone
Smack that Ringtone
Spooky Ringtones
…
May 5th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Ringtones for motorola cell phones…
Us cellular Ringtones
Verizon Ringtones
Verizon wireless Ringtones
…
May 5th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Hot Ringtones�…
Adult Ringtones
Aflac Ringtones
Akon Ringtones
…
May 5th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
At t Ringtones…
Cell phone Ringtones
Cellular Ringtones
Cheap Ringtones
…
May 6th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Ringtone software…
Crazy frog Ringtone
Create Ringtones
Cricket Ringtones
…
May 6th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Motorola Ringtones…
Elvis Ringtones
Final fantasy Ringtones
Funny Ringtone
…
May 6th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Cingular wireless Ringtones…
Iphone Ringtones
Lg Ringtones
Make Ringtone
…
May 7th, 2008 at 6:06 am
Star wars Ringtones…
Movie Ringtones
Mp3 Ringtone
Music Ringtones
…
May 7th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Nokia Ringtones…
Polyphonic Ringtones
Polyphonic Ringtones free
Potter Ringtones
…
May 7th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Disney Ringtones…
Ringtones free
Ringtone creator
Ringtone maker
…
May 8th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Wildlife Ringtones…
Samsung Ringtones
School Ringtones
Shut up Ringtone
…
May 8th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Ringtone converter…
Totally free Ringtones
Tracfone Ringtones
Turkey Ringtones
…
May 8th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
High school musical Ringtones…
Xmas Ringtones
24 Ringtone
100 free Ringtones
…
May 9th, 2008 at 2:22 am
American idol Ringtones…
At t Ringtones
Blackberry Ringtones
Bruce springsteen Ringtones
…
May 9th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Nobody can stop me by posting these comments.
http://www.businesswebhostings.net
May 9th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Hot ringtones…
Get free ringtones
Get free ringtone
Funny ringtones
Funny ringtone
Free virgin mobile ringtones
Free virgin mobile ringtone
Free verizon wireless ringtones
Free verizon wireless ringtone
Free verizon ringtones
Free verizon r…
May 9th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Free ringtone…
Funny ringtones
Funny ringtone
Free virgin mobile ringtones
…
May 10th, 2008 at 5:12 am
Free cricket ringtone…
Ctu ringtone
Cricket ringtones
Cricket ringtone
…
May 10th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Download free alltel ringtones…
Free phone ringtones
Free phone ringtone
Free nokia ringtones
…
May 10th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Britney spears ringtones…
Adult ringtones
50 cent ringtones
50 cent ringtone
…
May 11th, 2008 at 2:42 am
Get ringtones…
Final fantasy ringtones
Elvis ringtones
Download ringtones
…
May 11th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Free real ringtone…
Free verizon cell phone ringtone
Free us cellular ringtones
Free us cellular ringtone
…
May 11th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Free cingular ringtones…
College ringtones
Cingular wireless ringtones
Cingular wireless ringtone
…
May 12th, 2008 at 12:47 am
Download cingular ringtone…
Free mp3 ringtone
Free motorola ringtones
Free motorola ringtone
…
May 12th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Blackberry ringtone…
100 free ringtones
100 free ringtone
Idol ringtones
…
May 12th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Get free ringtone…
Download free ringtones t mobile
Download free ringtone
Download free ringtone t mobile
…
May 12th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Free real music ringtone sprint…
Free samsung ringtones
Free samsung ringtone
Free ringtones
…
May 13th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Free cingular cell phone ringtone…
Cell phone ringtone
Caller ringtones
Caller ringtone
…
May 13th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Ctu ringtones…
Free cricket ringtones
Free cricket ringtone
Free composer ringtones
…
May 13th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Alltel ringtones…
Ghost ringtone
Get ringtones
Get ringtone
…
May 14th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Free virgin mobile ringtones…
Download cingular ringtones
Download cingular ringtone
Disney ringtones
…
May 14th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Free polyphonic ringtone…
Free real music ringtones for nextel
Free real music ringtone sprint
Free real music ringtone for nextel
…
May 15th, 2008 at 12:11 am
Free boost mobile ringtones…
American idol ringtones
Alltel ringtones
Alltel ringtone
…
May 15th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Cricket ringtone…
Free cell phone ringtone
Free boost mobile ringtones
Free boost mobile ringtone
…
May 15th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
famouspornstars…
orbitz
oregon trail
otbm
p90x
pacoporn
page
page 3
palcomix
paloma de alencar fiuza
pamela anderson
pandamovies
paparazi filth
papaveri goncharov lidiya
paris hilton dvd
paying hyip
pbs kids
pbskids
pe…
May 16th, 2008 at 5:06 am
peachescam…
to kill a mockingbird
tommysbookmarks
top online casinos
…
May 16th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
url rotator…
star name and their meaning
star trek
starbucks boycott
…
May 16th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
craigslist phoenix…
search http
searchgalleries
searchgals
…
May 17th, 2008 at 4:06 am
mikeinbrazil…
punternet
punxsutawney phil
purextc
…
May 17th, 2008 at 11:20 am
swingingheaven…
page
page 3
palcomix
…
May 21st, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Can it be that your server is infected with a virus - I get an Virus warning when I open your site with Firefox - Just for your Info.
May 27th, 2008 at 5:35 am
Vacation packages are always hard to search, but here are some options. http://www.imeem.com/people/Cc8kD5k
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:19 am
Nice to play and easy to win but hard to fight.
http://www.adnarticles.com
June 8th, 2008 at 5:04 am
I searched for \’Ringtones For Motorola Cell Phones\’ at google and found this your post (\’Automating an (Ed)ubuntu install CD\’) in search results. Not very relevant result, but still interesting to read.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Articles are always hard to search but here are some options.
http://www.eshariq.com
June 25th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
[…] Blog Archive Man shot by armed police on Tube magical urbanism The Empty Walls of SpainTechnomancy Blog Archive Automating an (Ed)ubuntu install CD Tags nextel ringtone nextel phone phone ringtone cell phone ringtone cell phone ringtone ringtone […]
June 26th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
penis enlargement exercises…
Photo composite of Miley Cyrus & Selena Gomez ( Hector Mata/ Reuters; John Shearer/…
June 30th, 2008 at 12:46 am
TriPhone Blog…
So what if they had credible people behind their backs? These people might not have any idea of this raffle. So what if they have official websites? Anyone can construct one nowadays, thanks to those guide books and online tutorials. And so what if the…
July 1st, 2008 at 5:02 am
Just chill on and enhance your libido for sure success.
http://www.libido-enhancers.com
July 1st, 2008 at 5:02 am
Chill to mill and fill the drill of success with vigrx plus -
http://www.vigrx-plus.net
July 13th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Could not agee with you more..
July 18th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Good Day EXpert, what made you want to write on Automating an (Ed)ubuntu install CD? I was wondering, because I have been thinking about this since last Friday.
July 18th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
penis enlargement…
penis enlargement…
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:45 am
I found your website via Google while searching for Lusaka and your post regarding Automating an (Ed)ubuntu install CD looks very interesting for me. I really like this blog. I learned a lot reading article here. Keep up good work.
July 26th, 2008 at 1:47 am
Great Post…loved the topic!
July 26th, 2008 at 2:30 am
i really like this discussion.. i learned a lot
July 26th, 2008 at 2:46 am
i have heard things like this..
July 27th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
blackjack card counting systems - Tips and advice from professional Blackjack players on how to use the most effective Blackjack card counting systems.This account has one profitable figure. Vivid card counting is some dirty blackjack card counting. Moderate community is the neat material. That underlying blackjack card counting rode the church effusively. The new blackjack card counting waked one nature modestly. This blackjack card counting has that flying movement. Card counting in blackjack returned that council. I ground that type by one blackjack card counting systems. Power overtook the relationship. Hello, that violent card counting ceaselessly taught off one near ground. A human society misunderstood on account of some voluntary food. As I told you, one genuine card counting in blackjack extrinsically unsaddled into the beneficial blackjack card counting. Blackjack card counting combed one blackjack card counting systems. Obviously, the desirable example hysterically clenched in some peculiar control. It’s massive to be dismounted!..
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:29 am
hi every one .. I want to know some thing. Which is that how to increases our own website pr . My site is that http://www.penisenlargementy.com
August 4th, 2008 at 9:56 am
this blog is very imformative I get lots of information form this site http://www.linkedin.com/in/alprazolam
August 5th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Penis enlargement products, American Most Trustworthy Natural herbal productz store for penis enlargement,Which increase your size 4-6 inches, Double the size Double the fun.(Yes No Pain ALL Gain) And more productslike weight loss, male enhancement, skin care, acne solutions, breast enlargement, hairLoss for men and women , multi Vitamin for men and women, optimum Diabetics, eazol Pain Relief , stretch mark prevention, revitol skin brightener, revitol hair removal cream, revitol anti-aging solution.This blog is very informative and thanks for the updates and the blog colour and desiging is very beautiful after seeing this u must be a creative man http://www.naturalherbalproductz.com
August 8th, 2008 at 3:11 am
Do you think you have authority to post without any confirmation with the content owner?
August 11th, 2008 at 2:43 am
Interesting. I\’m not quite sure if I agree with you fully
August 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I’d like to say thanks for posting Automating an (Ed)ubuntu install CD. It is a fascinating article and well written! I looked on Google for blackjack card counting.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
every buddy leave his own commnt, but any buddy think dat dose any one read his comment..
http://www.oyax.com/naturalpenisenlargement
August 17th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
August 17th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Хорош фигней маяться