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Installation (Ubuntu) (view source)

Revision as of 22:09, 15 June 2012

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Added OS Installation procedure and general revisions
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(Added OS Installation procedure and general revisions)
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= Initial Setup =
Much of this page was originally borrowed heavily from the following pages - they are well worth a read!  
Much of this section is ''borrowed'' from the following pages - they are well worth a read!
* http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect-server-ubuntu8.04-lts
* http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect-server-ubuntu8.04-lts
* http://www.howtoforge.com/how-to-install-ubuntu8.04-with-software-raid1
* http://www.howtoforge.com/how-to-install-ubuntu8.04-with-software-raid1


This section will create a Ubuntu VM installed on one partition, software RAID'ed across two VMDK's.  To explain why I do this, my ESX's storage originally wasn't resilient, hence the software RAID across VMDK's on separate physical disks, if you've got resilient storage you should probably wouldn't use software RAID. 
This page deals with installation of a Ubuntu Server 10.04 in a VM installed on one partition, with the option of using software RAID across two VMDK's.   
 
''However, once I'd bought a nice (SOHO) NAS, I moved one disk and VM config across to NAS, thinking I'd eventually ditch the software RAID.  Luckily I didn't get round to it, so when I managed to destroy my NAS (partly my fault), I could easily recover my VM's from where they left off by creating new ones and re-using the surviving VMDK file.  Therefore, unless you're running a truly enterprise class NAS, that's cost you £1k's to buy, and £1k's in yearly support I'd still recommend you software RAID your critical VM's (eg mail server) across two separate devices.  The whole reason you have a home set-up is to ''play'', which inevitably means ''break''!''


== Prepare Virtual Machine ==
== Prepare Virtual Machine ==
# Create a virtual machine with the following options (use Custom)
# Create a virtual machine with the following options (use Custom)
#* Guest OS: Linux > Ubuntu 32bit
#* Guest OS: Linux > Ubuntu 64bit
#* CPU: 1
#* CPU: 1
#* Memory: 756 MB
#* Memory: 512 MB
#* Disk: 36GB
#* Disk: 36GB
# Then add a second 36GB disk on a separate physical datastore (if you intend to use software RAID)
# Then add a second 36GB disk on a separate physical datastore (if you intend to use software RAID)
# Attach Ubuntu install ISO to the CD-ROM
# Attach Ubuntu install ISO to the CD-ROM


Note that the specs above should be altered to suit your purposes.  For example, its now more common to use a 64bit OS even if you don't expect to need that much memory addressing, in fact 512 MB RAM is often more than enough
Note that the specs above should be altered to suit your purposes.  Whilst there is no need to use a 64 bit OS as opposed to 32 bit if you don't need to address lots of memory, it is standard these days.


== OS Installation ==
== OS Installation ==
Follow the default or sensible choices for your locale, however, use the following notes as well...
Installing Ubuntu Server (LTS) is relatively painless, its generally a case of following the default or sensible choices for your locale.  However, below are step-by-step instructions, which you probably won't require, but may help if you're not familiar with the terminology.
* '''Configure the network'''
 
** Enter the server's hostname (not a FQDN, just the hostname)
If you're completely new make sure you read through the instructions 1st, so that you're prepared for the information you'll need to provide.
* '''Partition Disks'''
 
** If setting up software RAID follow the steps below, otherwise just select '''Guided - use entire disk and set up LVM'''
# Select language for installer
**# Select '''"Manual'''
# Select '''Install Ubuntu Server'''
**# Then create a partition...
# '''Choose Language''' screens
**## Select the first disk ('''<code>sda</code>''') and on the next screen, '''Yes''', to '''Create new empty partition table on this device?'''
## Select language for server (and remainder of the installer)
**## Select the FREE SPACE, then '''Create a new Partition''', and use all but the last 2GB of space,  
## Select location
**## And then select type of '''Primary''', and create at '''Beginning'''
# '''Ubuntu Installer Main Menu''' screens
**## Change '''''Use as''''' to '''physical volume for RAID''', and change the '''''Bootable flag''''' to '''Yes''', the select '''Done setting up this partition'''
## Select ''Yes'' for questions to determine appropriate keyboard, or ''No'' to just select a keyboard layout
**# Repeat the above on the remaining FREE SPACE on '''<code>sda</code>''', to create another primary '''physical volume for RAID''', but ''''not'' bootable'''
# '''Configure the network''' screen
**# Select the second disk, <code>sdb</code>, and repeat the steps taken for <code>sda</code> to create two identical partitions
## Enter the hostname for the server (not a FQDN, so <code>hostname</code> rather than <code>hostname.domain.com</code>)
**# On the same screen, select the '''Configure Software RAID''' option (at the top), and then confirm through the next screen
# '''Configure the clock''' screen
**# Create a RAID pack/multidisk...
## Select ''Yes'' to accept the suggested timezone, or ''No'' to alter
**## Select '''Create MD device''', then select '''RAID1''' (ie a mirror), then confirm 2 ''Active devices'', and 0 ''Spare devices''
# '''Partition disks''' screens
**## Select both '''<code>/dev/sda1</code>''' and '''<code>/dev/sdb1</code>''' partitions, and then select '''Finish'''
#* If you want to install the server onto software [[Acronyms#R|RAID]]'ed disks see [[#Install on Software RAID|Install on Software RAID]]
**# Repeat the above to create a RAID volume using '''<code>/dev/sda2</code>''' and '''<code>/dev/sdb2</code>''' partitions
## Select ''Guided - use entire disk and set up LVM''
**# Now select the RAID device #0 partition (select the #1 just under RAID1 device line), and change the '''''Use as''''' and select '''Ext3...'''
## Select the disk to partition and install the OS onto
**# Change the '''''Mount point''''' to '''/''', then select '''Done configuring this partition'''
## Select ''Yes'' to ''Write the changes to disks and configure LVM''
**# Now select the RAID device #1 partition (select the #1 just under RAID1 device line), and change the '''''Use as''''' and select '''Swap area'''
## Accept the full amount to partition
**# Then select '''Done configuring this partition''' then finally '''Finish partitioning and write changes to disk''', and confirm to '''Write the changes to disks'''
## Select ''Yes'' to ''Write the changes to disks''
**# Accept the "The kernel was unable to re-read...system will need to restart" complaints for each RAID multidisk, after which the install will continue (note there's a little more to do post install to ensure you can boot using the second disk should the first fail).
# '''Set up users and passwords''' screens
* '''Software Selection'''
## Enter your name
** DNS Server - Only required in order to configure split DNS, which is required for an exchange server install
## Enter your username (that you will use to login with)
** OpenSSH Server - Required (allows you to Putty/SSH to the server)
## Enter your password
##* If you use a weak password (eg less that 8 characters) you'll be asked to confirm this is OK once you've verified it
## Re-enter (verify) your password
## Select ''No'' to not ''Encrypt your home drive''
##* If you are really worried about your dat being compromised you should consider encrypting the whole drive during its partitioning
# '''Configure the package manager''' screen
## Enter proxy server details if required for server to access the internet for updates
# '''Select and install software''' screen
## Select ''No automatic updates'' if you want to control how updates are applied yourself, otherwise select ''Install security updates automatically''
# '''Software selection''' screens
## Select '''OpenSSH Server''' (press [Space] when item is highlighted), this allows you to Putty/SSH to the server
## Select any other required software, eg
##* DNS Server - Only required if you want your server to be a DNS server; or in order to configure split DNS, which is required for an exchange server install
##* LAMP Server - Only required for Apache webserver (with MySQL and PHP)
# '''Configuring grub-pc''' screen
## Select ''Yes'' to ''Install the GRUB boot loader to the master boot record''
# '''Finish the installation''' screen
## Select ''Continue''
 
=== Install on Software RAID ===
On the '''Partition Disks''' screens use the following to setup software RAID during OS installation.
 
* If setting up software RAID follow the steps below, otherwise just select '''Guided - use entire disk and set up LVM'''
# Select '''"Manual'''
# Then create a partition...
## Select the first disk ('''<code>sda</code>''') and on the next screen, '''Yes''', to '''Create new empty partition table on this device?'''
## Select the FREE SPACE, then '''Create a new Partition''', and use all but the last 2GB of space,  
## And then select type of '''Primary''', and create at '''Beginning'''
## Change '''''Use as''''' to '''physical volume for RAID''', and change the '''''Bootable flag''''' to '''Yes''', the select '''Done setting up this partition'''
# Repeat the above on the remaining FREE SPACE on '''<code>sda</code>''', to create another primary '''physical volume for RAID''', but ''''not'' bootable'''
# Select the second disk, <code>sdb</code>, and repeat the steps taken for <code>sda</code> to create two identical partitions
# On the same screen, select the '''Configure Software RAID''' option (at the top), and then confirm through the next screen
# Create a RAID pack/multidisk...
## Select '''Create MD device''', then select '''RAID1''' (ie a mirror), then confirm 2 ''Active devices'', and 0 ''Spare devices''
## Select both '''<code>/dev/sda1</code>''' and '''<code>/dev/sdb1</code>''' partitions, and then select '''Finish'''
# Repeat the above to create a RAID volume using '''<code>/dev/sda2</code>''' and '''<code>/dev/sdb2</code>''' partitions
# Now select the RAID device #0 partition (select the #1 just under RAID1 device line), and change the '''''Use as''''' and select '''Ext3...'''
# Change the '''''Mount point''''' to '''/''', then select '''Done configuring this partition'''
# Now select the RAID device #1 partition (select the #1 just under RAID1 device line), and change the '''''Use as''''' and select '''Swap area'''
# Then select '''Done configuring this partition''' then finally '''Finish partitioning and write changes to disk''', and confirm to '''Write the changes to disks'''
# Accept the "The kernel was unable to re-read...system will need to restart" complaints for each RAID multidisk, after which the install will continue (note there's a little more to do post install to ensure you can boot using the second disk should the first fail).


== Post OS Install Config ==
== Post OS Install Config ==
* '''Enable Root'''
=== Enable Root ===
*# Use the command <code> sudo passwd root </code>
# Use the command <code> sudo passwd root </code>
*# Enter user password, and then a strong password for the root account
# Enter your user password
* '''Finish Software RAID config''' - only if configured during install
# Enter a strong password for the root account
*# Start-up grub (by entering <code> grub </code> and enter the following commands (seems to work better via SSH than direct console)...
 
*#* <code> device (hd1) /dev/sdb </code>
=== Finish Software RAID config ===
*#* <code> root (hd1,0) </code>
''' Only if configured during install '''
*#* <code> setup (hd1) </code>
# Start-up grub (by entering <code> grub </code> and enter the following commands (seems to work better via SSH than direct console)...
*#* <code> quit </code>
#* <code> device (hd1) /dev/sdb </code>
*# Then edit the <code> /boot/grub/menu.lst </code> config file.  Go to the end of the file where the boot options are, and create a copy of the first option and edit the following lines
#* <code> root (hd1,0) </code>
*#* <code> title </code> Add "Primary disk fail" or something similar to end
#* <code> setup (hd1) </code>
*#* <code> root </code> Change <code> hd0 </code> to <code> hd1 </code>
#* <code> quit </code>
*# To check the RAID setup of your drives use
# Then edit the <code> /boot/grub/menu.lst </code> config file.  Go to the end of the file where the boot options are, and create a copy of the first option and edit the following lines
*#* <code> mdadm --misc -D /dev/md0 </code>
#* <code> title </code> Add "Primary disk fail" or something similar to end
*#* <code> mdadm --misc -D /dev/md1 </code>
#* <code> root </code> Change <code> hd0 </code> to <code> hd1 </code>
# To check the RAID setup of your drives use
#* <code> mdadm --misc -D /dev/md0 </code>
#* <code> mdadm --misc -D /dev/md1 </code>


== Change IP Address ==
== Change IP Address ==
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== Update the OS ==  
== Update the OS ==  
* Run the following command to update the apt package database
# Run the following command to update the apt package database
** <code> apt-get update </code>
#* <code> apt-get update </code>
* To install any updates
# To install any updates
** <code> apt-get upgrade </code>
#* <code> apt-get upgrade </code>
 
#* If updates are being held back (eg linux image), then use <code> aptitude safe-upgrade</code>


= Install VM Tools =
== Install VM Tools ==
The pre-built modules that come with the VMTools installer aren't compatible, therefore the script needs to be able to compile them, however the required library files aren't available by default, so the procedure is a little laboured.
The pre-built modules that come with the VMTools installer aren't compatible, therefore the script needs to be able to compile them, however the required library files aren't available by default, so the procedure is a little laboured.


== Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS ==
=== Ubuntu 8.04 LTS ===
# Install the build library files...  
# Install the build library files...  
#* <code> apt-get install build-essential </code>
#* <code> apt-get install build-essential </code>
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#* <code> shutdown -r now </code>
#* <code> shutdown -r now </code>


== Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS ==
=== Ubuntu 10.04 LTS ===
VM Tools can be installed via two methods, neither of which is ideal...
VM Tools can be installed via two methods, neither of which is ideal...
* Using the normal VM Tools ''CD'' - requires additional library install and sometimes mounting the CDROM doesn't work too well.
* Using the normal VM Tools ''CD'' - requires additional library install and sometimes mounting the CDROM doesn't work too well.
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#* <code> apt-get install vmware-tools </code>
#* <code> apt-get install vmware-tools </code>


= NTP =
== NTP ==
''Not required if your server doesn't really need bang on accurate time''  
''Not required if your server doesn't really need bang on accurate time''  


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