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:

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

  1. Boot the system and ensure the SIMP ISO is selected.
  1. 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.
  2. When the installation is complete, the system will restart automatically.
  3. Change the root user password
    1. At the console, log on as root and type the default password shown in Table 2.1.
    2. Type the default password again when prompted for the (current) UNIX password.
    3. Type a new password when prompted for the New Password. Retype the password when prompted.
  4. Change the simp user password
    1. At the console, log on as simp and type the default password shown in Table 2.1.
    2. Type the default password again when prompted for the (current) UNIX password.
    3. Type a new password when prompted for the New Password. Retype the password when prompted.

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.

  1. Log on as simp and run su - to gain root access.
  2. 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.
  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. Type reboot

Performing Post-installation Setup on the SIMP Server

  1. Log on as root

  2. Run puppet for the first time. Errors will appear for DHCP. These can be safely ignored at this stage.

    Type: puppet agent -t

  3. 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

  4. Update your system using yum. The updates applied will be dependent on what ISO you initially used.

    Type: yum clean all; yum makecache

  5. Run puppet. Ignore the same DHCP errors:

    Type: puppet agent -t

  6. Reboot your system:

    Type reboot