# Initial Infrastructure Setup

This document describes the steps needed for the initial infrastructure setup (in case everything needs to be bootstrapped from scratch)

This would be the sequence the systems need to be set up:
- lx-boot-xx (boot.psi.ch, boot-dmz.psi.ch)
- lx-repos-xx (repos.psi.ch, repos-dmz.psi.ch)
- lx-sysdb-xx (sysdb.psi.ch)
- lx-puppet-xx (puppet.psi.ch)

The steps involved to bootstrap the boot server and the repository server are the following:

1. Create the VM in vcenter (Make sure secure boot is disabled!)
1. Get the latest RedHat RHEL iso from somewhere (i.e. ETH Red Hat Satellite or directly from [Red Hat](https://access.redhat.com/downloads))
    - There are two ISOs, one ~900MB and one ~11GB (RHEL8). The smaller one is able to boot and start the installation of the system, however it requires a network based repository for the installation (i.e. the content of the unpacked ISO need to be available via http(s))
    With the bigger one the system can be completely installed.

1. Generate a kickstart file for the system in the https://git.psi.ch/linux-infra/bootstrap repository
    - For the DMZ server the ip of the DNS server needs to be different in DMZ `--nameserver=192.168.70.5`

1. Create a new iso including the generated kickstart file via the [mkksiso](https://weldr.io/lorax/mkksiso.html) utility:
    ```
    mkksiso lx-boot-dmz-01.psi.ch.ks rhel-8.7-x86_64-boot.iso  lx-boot-dmz-01-rhel-8.7-x86_64-boot.iso
    ```
    Alternatively create a second iso file with just the kickstart file. Place the kickstart file as `ks.cfg` in an directory and run:
    ```
    mkisofs -volid OEMDRV -output $TARGET_HOSTNAME-kickstart.iso $DIR_WITH_KICKSTART_FILE
    ```

1. Remote Login (via RDP) to vmsmgt.psi.ch and mount the ISO to the VM

    1. Make the generated iso accessible to the machine vmsmgt.psi.ch

    1. Open vcenter.psi.ch in the browser, search the virtual machine you want to mount the ISO to. Click on __Launch Remote Console__
    ![](initial_setup/launch_remote_console.png)

    1. This will open the VMWare Remote Console program. To mount the ISO do the following (Pay attention that the __"Connect at Boot"__ option is checked):
        ![](initial_setup/mount_iso_menu.png)
        ![](initial_setup/mount_iso.png)

    1. If you have a separate kickstart iso file, you need two CD drives and connect both iso files.

    1. Start the VM to trigger the install

```{note}
For the initial setup of boot and repos server in the DMZ a temporary firewall access rule need to be enabled to the PSI internal server https://repos.psi.ch 
```

## References
- https://weldr.io/lorax/mkksiso.html
- https://access.redhat.com/solutions/60959
- https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/8/html/performing_an_advanced_rhel_8_installation/starting-kickstart-installations_installing-rhel-as-an-experienced-user#doc-wrapper