Differences between revisions 81 and 83 (spanning 2 versions)
Revision 81 as of 2008-03-06 08:08:35
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Editor: Mac
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Revision 83 as of 2008-06-11 20:50:46
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Editor: MattTaggart
Comment: add pointer to my notes/config
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 * Joey Hess's modular/hierarchical preseed configuration, supporting installs via usb keychain or netboot with varying configurations for different machine types. http://dilab.debian.net:800/~joey/d-i/preseed/
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 * Matt Taggart's notes and configuration, including using serial console and postfix. http://lackof.org/taggart/hacking/d-i_preseed/

Preseeding d-i

Preseeding provides a way to set answers to questions asked during the installation process, without having to manually enter the answers while the installation is running. This makes it possible to fully automate most types of installation and even offers some features not available during normal installations.

Most of the questions asked by DebianInstaller can be preseeded by setting the answers in the ["debconf"] database. The Installation Guide includes an [http://d-i.alioth.debian.org/manual/en.i386/apb.html extensive appendix] dedicated to preseeding and includes a complete example. Feel free to add any information that is not covered in the manual to the notes below.

Examples

Post here any links you have to example preseed files. Note that using any of these files directly is not wise, as a malicious person could probably come up with values for a preseed file that makes d-i misbehave. Also, the files are downloaded over http, so are vulnerable to man in the middle spoof attacks. The best way to use any preseed file is to copy it to your own local web server or media, and look it over before using it.

Notes

  • Do not work off a debconf-get-selections (--installer) generated preseed.cfg but get the values from it and modify the example preseed file with them.

  • Be aware there is only one space in preseed files between subkey and value on "owner key/subkey value" lines.

  • Do not reboot in the base-config/late_command command, the installation process will start again at the start of the 2nd stage.

  • Preseeding has changed significantly in etch, preseed files for sarge will need to be updated or re-done. The largest change is the removal of base-config, which means that base-config/late_command and base-config/early_command are no longer available.

  • To install additional packages in etch, you can preseed preseed/early_command to run "apt-install package".