SIMP Server Installation¶
This chapter provides guidance on installing, configuring, and bootstrapping
the SIMP server using the SIMP Utility, simp
.
System Requirements¶
SIMP scales well, but how much depends on a number of factors, including the number of nodes, the processor speed, the total memory, and the complexity of the manifests. The following are the minimal system requirements for the SIMP server:
- Central Processing Unit (CPU) : 2 Cores
- Random Access Memory (RAM) : 2.2 GB
- Hard Disk Drive (HDD) : 50 GB
Using the SIMP Utility¶
In these instructions we will be using the config
and bootstrap
commands of the SIMP Utility, simp
. The SIMP Utility does not
assist users through the entire configuration process; however, it does
make the initial configuration easier and more repeatable.
Note
For a list of the commands simp
provides, type simp help
. Type
simp help <Command>
for more information on a specific command.
SIMP Default Passwords and Settings¶
Below is a table containing the default passwords found on a basic SIMP server upon install.
Important
All default passwords must be changed during the initial configuration process.
Utility | Password |
---|---|
Grub | GrubPassword |
Root User | RootPassword |
Simp User | UserPassword |
Table: SIMP Default Passwords
A table of variables that can be changed/defined during installation is located in Installation Variables. Review this if you are unfamiliar with SIMP, as you will be prompted for the values for these variables during the SIMP server installation.
Preparing the SIMP Server Environment¶
- Boot the system and ensure the SIMP ISO is selected.
- If you do not have a SIMP ISO, see HOWTO Build a Bootable DVD from the SIMP tarball.
- Press Enter to run the standard SIMP install, or choose from the
customized options list.
- For a detailed description of the the disk encryption enabled via the
simp_disk_crypt
boot option, see Disk Encryption.
- For a detailed description of the the disk encryption enabled via the
- When the installation is complete, the system will restart automatically.
- Change the
root
user password- At the console, log on as
root
and type the default password shown in Table 2.1. - Type the default password again when prompted for the (current) UNIX password.
- Type a new password when prompted for the New Password. Retype the password when prompted.
- At the console, log on as
- Change the
simp
user password- At the console, log on as
simp
and type the default password shown in Table 2.1. - Type the default password again when prompted for the (current) UNIX password.
- Type a new password when prompted for the New Password. Retype the password when prompted.
- At the console, log on as
Installing the SIMP Server¶
Important
Correct time across all systems is important to the proper functioning of SIMP and Puppet in general.
If a user has trouble connecting to the Puppet server and errors regarding certificate validation appear, check the Puppet server and client times to ensure they are synchronized.
Warning
Keep in mind as the installation process begins that Puppet does not work well with capital letters in host names. Therefore, they should not be used.
- Log on as
simp
and runsu -
to gain root access. - Type
simp config
- Type
simp config -a <Config File>
to load a previously generated configuration, instead of being prompted for settings. This is the option to run for systems that will be rebuilt often.- For a list of additional options, type
simp help config
.
- Configure the system as prompted.
simp config
will present you with a recommendation for each variable that may be derived from existing OS settings. To keep a recommended value, press Enter. Otherwise, enter your desired value.- A list of the variables that are set by
simp config
is contained in Installation Variables.- A description of the installation preparation actions taken by
simp config
, in addition to the generation of a SIMP configuration file, is contained in simp config Actions.
Note
Once simp config
has been run, a SIMP configuration file with all your
settings is written to /etc/puppet/environments/simp/hieradata/simp_def.yaml
and also archived in /root/.simp/simp_conf.yaml
.
- Type
simp bootstrap
Note
If progress bars are of equal length and the bootstrap finishes quickly, a problem has occurred. This is most likely due to an error in SIMP configuration. Refer to the previous step and make sure that all configuration options are correct.
- Type
reboot
Performing Post-installation Setup on the SIMP Server¶
Log on as
root
Run puppet for the first time. Errors will appear for DHCP. These can be safely ignored at this stage.
Type:
puppet agent -t
Copy CentOS RHEL_MAJOR_MINOR_VERSION ISO(s) to the server and unpack using the
unpack_dvd
utility. This creates a new tree under/var/www/yum/CentOS
.Type:
unpack_dvd CentOS-RHEL_MAJOR_MINOR_VERSION- *####*-x86_64-Everything.iso
Update your system using yum. The updates applied will be dependent on what ISO you initially used.
Type:
yum clean all; yum makecache
Run puppet. Ignore the same DHCP errors:
Type:
puppet agent -t
Reboot your system:
Type
reboot