Jamie Glendinning [email protected] ENGL Imaging Toolkit™ 6 Disconnected imaging using...

Jamie [email protected]

ENGL Imaging Toolkit™ 6Disconnected imaging using CDROM and USB

Copyright © Expert Networking Group Limited2

Agenda

Introduction

Overview

Ziminst.pl

VMware environment

Semi-Disconnected Environment

Fully Disconnected Environment


Introduction


Introduction

Level Intermediate

Duration 30 minutes

Assumptions An understanding of the ENGL build process


Overview


Overview Imaging Toolkit 6

The standard method of delivering images to workstations in an ENGL /ZCM environment is to:

PXE boot the workstation against a ZCM server

The PXE client then boots the modified ZENworks imaging environment

Zim runs and identifies appropriate images which are then restored

This works perfectly well in most environments however there are occasions when a non-PXE method of imaging is required.


Overview Bootcd.iso

ZENworks Configuration Management provides a bootcd.iso that can be used to boot to the ZENworks imaging environment.

This bootcd.iso presents a bash prompt to the user. This is identical to how a standard (not ENGL modified) PXE environment is configured.

However ENGL do not provide modified bootcd.iso files as downloads.


Overview Ziminst.pl

ENGL provide the “Zim Installer” (ziminst.pl) utility to allow you to make a modified initrd, bootcd.iso or USB device that will allow you to load a modified ZENworks Imaging Environment.

The ziminst.pl file is a Perl script that can be run in a SLES 10/11 environment and will take the standard Novell Imaging files (initrd / bootcd.iso) and modify it to include appropriate ENGL hooks.

The ziminst.pl script can also modify the Linux splash screens, add drivers and add the list of device driver id’s that are loaded when the Linux kernel is booted (this functionality will not be covered in this techbite session)


Overview Ziminst.pl

Ziminst.pl can be used to modify the bootcd.iso file to set up the following imaging scenarios

The steps involved in configuring each of these scenarios will be covered in this techbite session

Media Role

CD/DVD LAN connected using TFTP

CD/DVD Fully disconnected

USB LAN connected using TFTP

USB Fully disconnected


Requirements


Requirements Ziminst.pl

Linux workstation / server running the same version of SUSE Linux as used to compile the ZENworks kernel (if compiling drivers otherwise any SLES10/SLES11 environment is supported)

ZENworks Imaging bootable CD image (bootcd.iso)

Linux driver files (optional)

Zim.cfg file as created by Build Console Integration Wizard


VMware Environment


VMware environment

The following environment was used to prepare this techbite

VMware workstation v7.1.4

SLES 11.0 DVD 1 ISO

ENGL Imaging Toolkit v6.0.5 installed on host machine


VMware environment

To configure an appropriate VMware server:

Open VMware workstation

Select File - New – Virtual Machine

Select Typical (recommended) option

Browse to SLES 11 DVD 1 ISO image file – “Easy install” should an option for the install

Enter appropriate details for username and password

Enter appropriate name and location for Virtual machine


VMware environment Configuration steps

Accept default disk size (or configure 8Gb at a minimum)

Accept default Hardware configuration

Click finish

A SLES server scripted install should start when the machine is next powered on


VMware environmentConfiguration steps

Once the virtual machine has been configured – set up a C:\ENGL folder on the host

Enable “shared folders” in the virtual machine settings – options menu

Add C:\ENGL as a shared folder.

Note: This folder will appear as /mnt/hgfs/ENGL/ within the virtual machine

The VMware environment is now ready for ziminst.pl



Copy the ziminst.tar file from the ENGL Zim installation directory to the C:\ENGL folder

At the Linux console, login as root

Launch a console session

Extract the ziminst.tar file.

cd /mnt/hgfs/ENGL

tar xf ziminst.tar

ziminst.pl is now ready to be run


VMware EnvironmentDemonstration


VMware environmentConfiguration

Copy ziminst.tar to C:\ENGL folder


ZiminstFolder structure

Ziminst is now ready for use

Source folder structureOutput folder Driver files

Images filesSplash filesZim files

Ziminst.pl script



This approach allows configuration files and executables to remain on the ZENworks imaging server which eases maintenance and upgrade and also allows all of the LDAP authentication and group membership abilities of PXE based imaging.

However, automated imaging / re-imaging is not possible as the workstation must be booted from CD/DVD/USB device therefore this approach is only recommended for workstations that do not have PXE capable network cards.


Semi-Disconnected EnvironmentCD/DVD



Requirements ENGL modified TFTP folder structure configured on ZCM

server (created by the Integration wizard)

Linux workstation/server running the same version of SUSE Linux as used to compile the ZENworks kernel (if compiling drivers otherwise any SLES10/SLES11 environment is supported)





Copy the bootcd.iso file to the C:\ENGL\src directory on the host machine

Copy optional Linux network drivers (.ko) files to the C:\ENGL\src\drivers directory.

Copy optional Linux boot splash image (.jpg) to the C:\ENGL\src\splash directory and modify the C:\ENGL\src\splash\splash.cfg file as required.

Note: C:\ENGL\ on the host machine is seen as /mnt/hgfs/ENGL from within the

Linux VMware Machine

The boot splash image must be sized at 800 x 600 pixels with a 16bit colour depth.



Run /mnt/hgfs/ENGL/ziminst.pl

Follow the on screen instructions confirming the default options or make any necessary changes and the new bootcd.iso file will be written to C:\ENGL\out

Note: When prompted for the PROXYADDR enter the IP address of the Imaging Proxy server

Burn a CDROM from the new bootcd.iso file

Boot from new bootcd.iso and confirm successful boot to the ENGL modified ZENworks Imaging Environment (Zim menu loads successfully)


Semi-Disconnected EnvironmentCD/DVD Demonstration



A new bootcd.iso has now been created in

C:\ENGL\out

To test this bootcd – burn it to a disk and boot a physical machine or use a VMware workstation to boot from the ISO file


Semi-Disconnected EnvironmentUSB





A blank FAT32 formatted USB drive









Note: C:\ENGL\ on the host machine is seen as /mnt/hgfs/ENGL from within the

Linux VMware Machine





Follow the on screen instructions confirming the default options or make any necessary changes, at the Imaging Media screen select USB

Acknowledge the message that states the USB device will be completely erased, then specify the path to the USB device e.g. /dev/sdb1

Note: Run cat /proc/partitions to list the disk devices in your machine.

When prompted for the PROXYADDR enter the IP address of the Imaging Proxy server

When the process has completed remove the USB device from the machine.


Semi-Disconnected EnvironmentUSB Demonstration



USB

The USB device is /dev/sdb

The Harddisk is /dev/sda

This was identified earlier as /dev/sdb



The USB device will now contain modified structure that will boot to the ZENworks Imaging Environment

To test this USB device – Insert it into a physical machine then select the appropriate device from the boot process.



When booting from the USB device – select the local hard disk type: ide or sata



The ENGL modified ZENworks imaging

environment will load as normal


Known issueUSB boot


Known IssueUSB boot

When img is used to delete partitions on a machine it will delete ALL partitions that are not mounted

If you have a USB device inserted in the machine but not mounted it will be wiped!

To get round this – the zim.cfg file can be modified to check – then prompt if a USB device has been used to boot the machine


zim.cfg file

Known IssueUSB boot

Dialog:Ask,"", "Warning! All hard disk data on this machine will be erased.\n \nContinue?","_YesNo",redIf:Var,_ask,eq,"_No"

Menu:ReturnEnd:

; Display dialog if USBBOOT=YES to ensure USB drive is not cleared.If:Var,USBBOOT,eq,"YES" Dialog:Ask,"", "Warning! \n Remove USB Drive prior to imaging \nContinue?","_OK",GreenEnd:

Dialog:Popup,"Restoring ENGL Smart Windows build process, please wait...",greenPause:3File:Run,"img %imgrestorecmd%%project_image_path%/%base_image%",verboseFile:Run,"img %imgrestorecmd%%project_image_path%/hotfixes.zmg",verbose



This approach places all configuration files and executables on the boot media and allows for simplified imaging without access to eDirectory/Active Directory or a ZENworks imaging server.

However, as all files are integrated this makes modification and updating a more cumbersome task and is only recommended for machines that have no physical network connection.


Fully Disconnected EnvironmentCD/DVD








ZENworks image files (.zmg in project folder structure)






Copy ZENworks image (.zmg) files to the C:\ENGL\src\images directory.

Copy ENGL Zim files engl.lic, zim.cfg, zim.tgz, images.ini, projects.ini, ldapsdk.tar and libtv.tgz to the C:\ENGL\src\zim directory.



Note: Manual edits will be required in the zim.cfg file to ensure that the

Zim configuration will work in a totally disconnected environment

C:\ENGL\ on the host machine is seen as /mnt/hgfs/ENGL from within the Linux VMware Machine





Follow the on screen instructions and select Disconnected CDROM confirming the default options or make any necessary changes. The new bootcd.iso file will be written C:\ENGL\out

Note: The new bootcd.iso file will contain all appropriate image files and as such may be quite large

Burn a DVD from the new bootcd.iso file

Boot from new bootcd.iso and confirm successful boot to the ENGL modified ZENworks Imaging Environment (Zim menu loads successfully and restores run from the local CD/DVD)



C:\ENGL\src\images

The ..\src\images folder should mirror the content-repo\images folder structure and contents from the ZCM server for those projects that will be restored from the disconnected media



C:\ENGL\src\zim\

The files are identical to matching files in the ../tftp/zimfiles folder apart from the modified zim.cfg file


Fully Disconnected EnvironmentCD/DVD – zim.cfg tweak

The zim.cfg file will require the following change to ensure the image files are restored from the correct location

Note: Modify the C:\ENGL\src\zim\zim.cfg file not the one on the server

Set:_menuexitmsg,""Set:_menucenter,"off"Set:_menushadows,"on"Set:_menushowpwd,"on"Set:_menunumbers,"on"Set:_menurows,"Auto"Set:_helptitle,"Help"Set:_help,"Help unavailable."Set:_zisdversion,"11"Set:_zisddevice,"/dev/%HDTYPE%"Set:imgrestorecmd,"-r -p "Set:imgmakecmd,"-m -p "Set:images_path,""

Set:_menuexitmsg,""Set:_menucenter,"off"Set:_menushadows,"on"Set:_menushowpwd,"on"Set:_menunumbers,"on"Set:_menurows,"Auto"Set:_helptitle,"Help"Set:_help,"Help unavailable."Set:_zisdversion,"11"Set:_zisddevice,"/dev/%HDTYPE%"Set:imgrestorecmd,"-r -l /mnt/cdrom/images/" Set:imgmakecmd,"-m -p "Set:images_path,""



C:\ENGL\src\zim\projects.ini

This file should only list the projects that will exist on the disconnected media


Fully Disconnected EnvironmentCD/DVD Demonstration



A new bootcd.iso has now been created in

C:\ENGL\out



Mounting the bootcd.iso we can see it contains the following file structure



Once you have a modified bootcd.iso file it is not always practical to use the ziminst.pl script to make each additional change and recreate the .iso file each time.

In this scenario it is possible to use an ISO editor like “UltraISO” to add or remove files from the ISO structure.


Fully Disconnected EnvironmentUSB





A blank FAT32 formatted USB drive




ZENworks image files (.zmg in project folder structure)




Copy optional Linux network drivers (.ko) files to the C:\ENGL\src\drivers directory

Copy optional Linux boot splash image (.jpg) to the C:\ENGL\src\splash directory and modify the C:\ENGL\src\splash\splash.cfg file as required

Copy ZENworks image (.zmg) files to the C:\ENGL\src\images directory

Copy ENGL Zim files engl.lic, zim.cfg, zim.tgz, images.ini, projects.ini, ldapsdk.tar and libtv.tgz to the C:\ENGL\src\zim directory



Note: Manual edits will be required in the zim.cfg file to ensure that the

Zim configuration will work in a totally disconnected environment

C:\ENGL\ on the host machine is seen as /mnt/hgfs/ENGL from within the Linux VMware Machine





Follow the on screen instructions confirming the default options or make any necessary changes, at the Imaging Media screen select USB

Acknowledge the message that states the USB device will be completely erased, then specify the path to the USB device e.g. /dev/sdb1

Note: Run cat /proc/partitions to list the disk devices in your machine.

When the process has completed remove the USB device from the machine.



C:\ENGL\src\images

The ..\src\images folder should mirror the content-repo\images folder structure and contents from the ZCM server for those projects that will be restored from the disconnected media



C:\ENGL\src\zim\

The files are identical to matching files in the ../tftp/zimfiles folder apart from the modified zim.cfg file


Fully Disconnected EnvironmentUSB – zim.cfg tweak

The zim.cfg file will require the following change to ensure the image files are restored from the correct location

Note: Modify the C:\ENGL\src\zim\zim.cfg file not the one on the server

Set:_menuexitmsg,""Set:_menucenter,"off"Set:_menushadows,"on"Set:_menushowpwd,"on"Set:_menunumbers,"on"Set:_menurows,"Auto"Set:_helptitle,"Help"Set:_help,"Help unavailable."Set:_zisdversion,"11"Set:_zisddevice,"/dev/%HDTYPE%"Set:imgrestorecmd,"-r -p "Set:imgmakecmd,"-m -p "Set:images_path,""

Set:_menuexitmsg,""Set:_menucenter,"off"Set:_menushadows,"on"Set:_menushowpwd,"on"Set:_menunumbers,"on"Set:_menurows,"Auto"Set:_helptitle,"Help"Set:_help,"Help unavailable."Set:_zisdversion,"11"Set:_zisddevice,"/dev/%HDTYPE%"Set:imgrestorecmd,"-r -l /mnt/usb/images/" Set:imgmakecmd,"-m -p "Set:images_path,""



C:\ENGL\src\zim\projects.ini

This file should only list the projects that will exist on the disconnected media


Fully Disconnected EnvironmentUSB Demonstration



USB

The USB device is /dev/sdb

The Harddisk is /dev/sda

This was identified earlier as /dev/sdb



The USB device will now contain a modified structure that will boot to the ZENworks Imaging Environment

This structure also contains the images and zimbin folders



When booting from the USB device – select the local hard disk type: ide or sata



The ENGL modified ZENworks imaging

environment will load as normal


Summary


Summary

ziminst.pl can be used to modify the Novell provided bootcd.iso file to incorporate the hooks required for Zim to run

ziminst.pl can also set up disconnected imaging on USB and CD/DVD media


Issues


Issues

If you have any issues with ziminst.pl let us know!

• Log an incident on englnet

https://englnet.engl.co.uk/nps

• Report an issue via support forum - engl.support.imagingtoolkit6.imaging

• Email [email protected]


More information


More Information

Useful links Product information and Downloads

www.engl.co.uk/products/imagingtoolkit

Success Stories

www.engl.co.uk/company/success

Partners

www.engl.co.uk/partners


More Information

Future Events Tech Bite sessions

Brainshare

www.engl.co.uk/events

www.engl.co.uk

Jamie Glendinning [email protected] ENGL Imaging Toolkit™ 6 Disconnected imaging using...

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