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http://lists.xensource.com/archives/html/xen-users/2006-09/msg00966.html (dd. 20070930) I know, it's not d-i related, but your best bet on using xen on debian/etch since the problems with xen-unstable. do a regular install, while keeping the following in mind and doing the extra stuff at the end.

== General ==

Since the problems with xen-unstable your best bet on using a stable xen with etch (testing, october '06) is, until 3.0.3 comes out, the following.

== Considerations: diskspace and RAM ==

The only things influencing the xen environment are diskspace and RAM. To start with the last: usually 196 MB RAM is needed for domain0. You can do with less: 128MB and I've even seen reports from people running with 64MB or even 32MB, but keep to defaults if this is your first time with xen. Aditional functionality for domain0 like dhcpd, iptables and installation services (eg. apache with apt-proxy) claim more. For a default domain0 you need 512MB diskspace and then you've got to keep an eye on it, so do at least 1GB. I use 2GB to be safe. For simplicities sake I keep it all in 1 filesystem. Local requirements for logging or accounting may claim extra. Swap space is the usual rule of thumb: RAM * attention. General methods for storing your user-domains file data are, in the order of preference: external san/nfs, local lvm2, local partitions, local files.

== Installation ==

Do a regular install and select for the kernel linux-image-2.6.16-2-xen-686, use grub for the bootloader (xen is not compatible with lilo) and choose initramfs for the ramdisk creator. Continue right up to the menu option "Finish the installation" but stop there (don't select it).
Switch to the second console with 'Ctrl-Alt-F2' and hit enter.
Chroot into your target install with

   chroot /target /bin/sh

Install all needed packages:

   apt-get install xen-hypervisor-3.0.2-1-i386 iproute libatm1 mime-support python python-central python-minimal python2.4 python2.4-minimal xen-utils-3.0.2-1 xen-utils-common file bridge-utils libc6-xen libmagic1 libsysfs2

Create the initrd manually

   mkinitramfs-kpkg -o /boot/initrd.img-2.6.16-2-xen-686 2.6.16-2-xen-686

Since the installation of the above mentioned kernel package does not adjust the bootloader config file /boot/grub/menu.lst, add the following to it, using your favorite editor:

   title Xen 3.0.2-1-i386 / Debian GNU/Linux 2.6.16-2
   root [ FILL IN YOUR ROOT DEVICE, EG. (hd0,0) ]
   kernel /boot/xen-3.0.2-1-i386.gz dom0_mem=131072 noreboot
   module /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.16-2-xen-686 root= [ FILL IN YOUR ROOT DEVICE, EG. /dev/hda1 ]
   module /boot/initrd.img-2.6.16-2-xen-686
   savedefault
   boot


Ref:

http://lists.xensource.com/archives/html/xen-users/2006-09/msg00966.html (dd. 20070930) en-unstable.

Dom0

For installing Dom0 you have to

do a regular install, while keeping the following in mind and doing the extra stuff at the end.

General

Since the problems with xen-unstable your best bet on using a stable xen with etch (testing, october '06) is, until 3.0.3 comes out, the following.

Considerations: diskspace and RAM

The only things influencing the xen environment are diskspace and RAM. To start with the last: usually 196 MB RAM is needed for domain0. You can do with less: 128MB and I've even seen reports from people running with 64MB or even 32MB, but keep to defaults if this is your first time with xen. Aditional functionality for domain0 like dhcpd, iptables and installation services (eg. apache with apt-proxy) claim more. For a default domain0 you need 512MB diskspace and then you've got to keep an eye on it, so do at least 1GB. I use 2GB to be safe. For simplicities sake I keep it all in 1 filesystem. Local requirements for logging or accounting may claim extra. Swap space is the usual rule of thumb: RAM * attention. General methods for storing your user-domains file data are, in the order of preference: external san/nfs, local lvm2, local partitions, local files.

Installation

Do a regular install and select for the kernel linux-image-2.6.16-2-xen-686, use grub for the bootloader (xen is not compatible with lilo) and choose initramfs for the ramdisk creator. Continue right up to the menu option "Finish the installation" but stop there (don't select it). Switch to the second console with 'Ctrl-Alt-F2' and hit enter. Chroot into your target install with

  • chroot /target /bin/sh

Install all needed packages:

  • apt-get install xen-hypervisor-3.0.2-1-i386 iproute libatm1 mime-support python python-central python-minimal python2.4 python2.4-minimal xen-utils-3.0.2-1 xen-utils-common file bridge-utils libc6-xen libmagic1 libsysfs2

Create the initrd manually

  • mkinitramfs-kpkg -o /boot/initrd.img-2.6.16-2-xen-686 2.6.16-2-xen-686

Since the installation of the above mentioned kernel package does not adjust the bootloader config file /boot/grub/menu.lst, add the following to it, using your favorite editor:

  • title Xen 3.0.2-1-i386 / Debian GNU/Linux 2.6.16-2 root [ FILL IN YOUR ROOT DEVICE, EG. (hd0,0) ] kernel /boot/xen-3.0.2-1-i386.gz dom0_mem=131072 noreboot module /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.16-2-xen-686 root= [ FILL IN YOUR ROOT DEVICE, EG. /dev/hda1 ] module /boot/initrd.img-2.6.16-2-xen-686 savedefault boot

Ref:

http://lists.xensource.com/archives/html/xen-users/2006-09/msg00966.html (dd. 20070930) en-unstable.

  • /!\ Work in progress, your help is appreciated

DomU

You can start d-i in DomU by

creating a DomU config file with the xen DomU kernel and the initrd from the netboot images (http://ftp.nl.debian.org/debian/dists/testing/main/installer-i386/beta3/images/netboot/netboot.tar.gz) and granting the DomU (or user-domain) read/write acces to some empty pre-created filesystems you want to use in it since you definitely do not want to give the DomU access to your mbr. You need to copy the DomU kernel's /lib/modules/<version> to the initrd.

It works, I did this some months ago with the 3.0.1 xen version from backports.org, but am unable to reproduce due to the current state of the xen software on etch and backports.org. Waiting for http://lists.alioth.debian.org/pipermail/pkg-xen-devel/2006-September/000739.html, I suppose :-(

  • /!\ Work in progress, your help is appreciated

DomU graphical

I guess it must be possible to do this, maybe in a similar way as the DomU, through the xen native vnc support or in a straight X11 session over a network connection with the ssh console option (does the graphical installer have X11 client support?).

  • /!\ Work in progress, your help is appreciated

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