[debian-lan-devel] Customization of Skolelinux

[Andreas B. Mundt]

Hi Franklin,

cc the debian-lan mailing list for information

On Sun, Mar 02, 2014 at 11:39:50AM +0800, Franklin Weng wrote:
>
> 2014-02-28 4:36 GMT+08:00 Andreas B. Mundt <andi.mundt at web.de>:
> >
> > You might be interested in the Debian-LAN project:
> >
> >     https://wiki.debian.org/DebianLAN
> >
[...]
> >
> I'm very interested in Debian-LAN.  I'm just starting to take a look at it,
> but I have some questions now.
>
> Is Debian-LAN necessary bound to FAI?  I read FAI guide and found that it
> is quite similar to DRBL: http://drbl.sourceforge.net/   which is very
> commonly used in Taiwan.

Yes, I would say it is bound to FAI, because all the machines are
'defined' in the FAI config space.  Debian-LAN itself is "just" a FAI
config space which defines all machines in a structured and flexible
way and added instructions on how to map this configuration on the
real machines.

> Do you know that how debian-edu deals with diskless workstation?  (I'm
> asking that in debian-edu irc channel)

IIRC debian-edu uses the ltsp-packages ('Linux Terminal Server
Project').  Debian-LAN uses the FAI chroot mechanisms which are
already available for diskless machines.

> In the bootstrap page https://wiki.debian.org/DebianLAN/bootstrap and CD
> creation https://wiki.debian.org/DebianLAN/bootstrap/wheezy  it told me
> that we need to install a FAI server first.  I don't quite understand the
> steps to deploy the whole system in a computer classroom.  For example, if
> I want to use Debian-LAN as our base system, do I have to install a pure
> mini debian system first, install fai server, then debian-lan system?

You can use two different approaches:  Either start with a minimal
Debian (Debian installler, nothing checked in the tasks selection) and
convert this installation to the mainserver (which contains a faiserver).

Or you can prepare a CD from which you can install the mainserver.
Cf. http://anonscm.debian.org/gitweb/?p=collab-maint/debian-lan.git;a=blob;f=debian/README.Debian

Once the mainserver is operational, all other machines in the network
are installed via PXE-boot from the mainserver (which, as I said
above, contains the faiserver).

So for example if you want to serve several schools, you would prepare
a CD which you probably want to customize and optimize first for your
needs and then you take this CD to each school to install the
mainserver.  After that all machines in the network can already boot a
debian-lan live system via PXE-boot from the mainserver and you can
install the clients at the same time. (You get a menu at PXE-boot
where you can choose "install" or "live-system").

> I just downloaded debian-lan main server iso and created a usb with
> unetbootin.  However I haven't got a machine to test yet.  I'll test it
> more in a few days.  Our goal is to demo a system suitable for computer
> classroom in Taiwan before the end of March.  Your help will be very
> appreciated.

I am right now setting up a (virtual) test environment for a talk
about debian-lan in two weeks, so do not hesitate to ask.  I think the
first step to understand how it (mostly FAI) works is not easy, but as
soon as you get the idea it's really great and simple to modify and
extend machine 'definitions' in the FAI config space.

I'll update the provided CD iso image too, there have been a few minor
fixes since the last update.

So again, if you run into problems or something is unclear, I am happy
to help.

Best regards,

     Andi