Re: Questions regarding boot parameter edu-skip-ltsp-make-client

[roman.meier@gismap.ch]

> On Wed, Oct 11, 2017 at 05:02:56PM +0200, roman.meier@gismap.ch wrote:
>> Going through the DebianEdu manual I came across the boot parameter
>> 'edu-skip-ltsp-make-client'.
> [..]
>> Couldn't a 'failed' installation be prevented by using the boot
>> parameter above?
>
> It doesn't work out of the box.
>
> But you could try to install a combi server offline following these
> steps:
>
> Unplug all (real, virtual) network cables.
>
> Add 'edu-skip-ltsp-make-client' as kernel param (see manual) to build
> the chroot for Thin Clients as a first step. See the manual for details.
>
> Continue the installation as usual. DHCP will fail, choose 'Don't
> configure the network at this time' or some such.
>
> If 'Select and install software' is at 10%' wait a minute or two, then
> hit <CTRL-ALT-F2> and activate the console to get a shell: a file inside
> the Debian Installer target has to be modified (editor 'nano' is used,
> so basic knowledge about nano is needed).
>
> The USB ISO image Release file is rated as expired; to work around this
> issue, run
>
> 'nano
> target/usr/share/ltsp/plugins/ltsp-build-client/Debian-custom/015-edu-apt-source'
> (Use <TAB>; it works in the Debian Installer environment, just try until
> the file shows up).
> Add an additional param to APT_GET_OPTS so that you have:
>
> APT_GET_OPTS="$APT_GET_OPTS \
>                --allow-unauthenticated -o acquire::check-valid-until=0"
>
> Save the modified file.
>
> Change back to the Debian Installer GUI (<CTRL-ALT-F5>), wait quite some
> time until the installation is finished (but really isn't yet).
> So don't hit return!
>
> Instead, change back to the Debian Installer console.
> run 'chroot target bash'
> run 'nano /opt/ltsp/i386/etc/apt/sources.list'
> uncomment the 'file:///' entry
> comment both 'http://' ones
>
> Mount cdrom:
> run 'mount /dev/sXX /opt/ltsp/i386/media/cdrom'
> (replace sXX with your actual USB stick device)
> run 'ltsp-chroot -m apt-get --allow-unauthenticated -o
> acquire::check-valid-until=0  update'
>
> Install the desktop of your choice, e.g. Xfce; several are ok as well:
> run 'ltsp-chroot -m apt install education-desktop-other
> education-desktop-xfce'
> (Choose <No> if prompted by jackd)
>
> run 'ltsp-update-sshkeys'
> run 'ltsp-update-kernels'
> run 'ltsp-update-image -n'
>
> run 'nano /opt/ltsp/i386/etc/apt/sources.list'
> and undo the previous changes.
>
> Change back to the GUI and hit <Return>.
>
> The combi server should now be usable with both Thin Clients and
> Diskless Workstations.
>
> Don't forget to update system and LTSP chroot once connected to the
> internet.

Hi Wolfgang,

I have applied the offline manual above fully for the first time. I was
able to apply it without facing problems. Thanks!

Issue 1:

I noticed when booting in the primary subnet that the pxe menu is
incomplete. It shows ?LTSP thin client? but ?diskless workstation? is
missing. I believe this is as a result of using boot parameter
?edu-skip-ltsp-make-client?.

Do I need to adjust the pxe menu manually? What do I need to do?

Issue 2:

My diskless workstations work just fine. Due to the issue above I can?t
boot as ?diskless workstation? in the primary subnet but it works fine in
the secondary subnet.

However, again I?m facing issues with my thin clients. None of them is
able to boot anymore. The login screen never shows and I get a black
screen. I faced this issue before with a few somehow special hardware thin
clients but now all seem to be affected and on both subnets.

Kind regards,
Roman