Setting up a Linux Practice Lab (Part 2)

Installing the Server

This is the main server used throughout the class for remote installation & as a yum repository.

1. Installation
Install using CD boot method. The required setting changes are listed below in order of appearance. All other options are to be left at default.
Skip entering Installation Number
Partitioning: Create custom layout

/boot	ext3	100MB
/	ext3	20480MB
	swap	512MB

Network Devices: Edit - Disable DHCP and IPv6.
IPv4 address: 192.168.1.100. Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Set hostname manually to: server.training.com
Set root password to: redhat
Select to install the Web Server. No need to customize software selection
During first boot setup: Disable Firewall and SELinux
Set Up Software Updates: Select: “No, I prefer to register at a later time” and “No thanks, I’ll connect later”
Create User: user with Password: password

2. Installation source setup
Extract content of all 5 CDs into a single directory called /install

# unalias cp
# cp –r /media/RHEL-5\ i386\ Disc\ X/* /install
(Where X is the number of the disk that you are copying, beginning with 1 for the first disk, and so on)

Copy contents the Server directory on all 5 CDs into the /repo/Server directory. This can be done using either cp or simply drag & drop in Nautilus.

# cp –r /media/RHEL-5\ i386\ Disc\ X/Server/* /repo/Server

3. NFS Setup
# vi /etc/exports

Add the following line:
/install *(ro,no_root_squash)
/repo/Server *(ro,no_root_squash)
Save the file. :wq

Check the syntax:
# exportfs –a
Start-up the NFS Service:
# service nfs start
Set the NFS Service to start-up on boot:
# chkconfig nfs on
Confirm NFS shares are exported:
# showmount -e

In part 3, I'll go into setting up a local yum repository. (Because my lab is in an isolated LAN)

Setting up a Linux Practice Lab (Part 1)

As part of my job, I needed to setup a lab for teaching RHEL5. After much trial and error, I managed to setup a fairly decent Linux lab. I've decided to post all my notes and self documenting setup guides to this blog, at least so that I have access to it wherever I go. A bonus if it helps someone else. So here goes:

Lab Equipment Notes

Common Requirements for all systems used in this Lab:
* Intel Chipset Motherboard (Avoid ATI/NVIDIA/VIA)
* Intel or Broadcom Gigabit/100/10 Ethernet card
* Integrated Intel Graphics GMA950 or older (avoid GMA 3100)
* If a graphic card is needed, use NVIDIA (avoid ATI)
* PS/2 or USB keyboard and mouse (avoid Wireless or Bluetooth)
* DVD/CD-ROM Drive (IDE, avoid SATA or SCSI)

1 unit Server with the following minimum hardware requirements:
* Intel Pentium 4 with HT/Dual Core running at minimum 2 GHz
* 2GB of Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
* 80GB Hard Disk Drive (SATA or IDE, avoid SCSI or SAS)

A desktop or notebook computer for each student with the following hardware requirements:
* Intel Pentium 4 with HT/Dual Core running at minimum 1.20 GHz
* 512MB of DDR SDRAM
* 20GB Hard Disk Drive (SATA or IDE, avoid SCSI or SAS)

1 unit Gigabit/100Base-T unmanaged switch with enough ports for all the students PCs and the server.

Ethernet cables to connect all the systems to the switch.

Lab Setup Notes

1. Connect all the systems together using the switch into a simple LAN setup
2. Follow the next section on installing the Server
3. Once the Server is properly setup, test all the students systems for hardware compatibility by performing a test installation on all systems.
4. Change out any problem units that fail to install properly.
5. Common issues faced are:
- Incompatible disk drive controller (no disks detected)
- Incompatible BIOS Assisted RAID (disks detected instead of array, disable these in the BIOS)
- Incompatible video card (blank screen or corrupted video)
- Incompatible optical drives (usually SATA)