SIMP Server Installation

This chapter provides guidance on installing and configuring SIMP using the simp config utility.

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 minimal system requirements are recommended:

Using the SIMP Utility

The SIMP Utility does not assist users through the entire configuration process; however, it does make the initial configuration easier and more repeatable.

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.

SIMP Default Passwords and Settings

Below is a table containing the default passwords found on a basic SIMP server.

Important

All default passwords should be changed during the initial configuration process.

Table: SIMP Default Passwords

Utility Password
Grub GrubPassword
Root User RootPassword
Simp User UserPassword

A table of settings that can be changed/defined during installation is located in Appendix B, List of Installation Variables. Review this if you are unfamiliar with SIMP.

Preparing the SIMP Server Environment

  1. Boot the system and ensure the SIMP ISO is selected.
  2. Press Enter* to run the standard SIMP install, or choose from the customized options list.
  3. When the installation is complete, the system will restart automatically.
  4. Log on as root and type the default password shown in Table 2.1.
  5. Type the default password again when prompted for the (current) UNIX password.
  6. Type a new password when prompted for the New Password. Retype the password when prompted.

Installing the SIMP Server

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
  1. Type simp config -a <Config File> to load a previously generated configuration instead of generating the configuration from the script. This is the option to run for systems that will be rebuilt often.
  2. For a list of additional commands, type simp help. Type simp help ***<Command>*** for more information on a specific command.
  3. A list of the variables that are set and more details are contained in List of Installation Variables.

Note

Once simp config has been run, a simp config file with all your settings is saved in /root/.simp/simp_conf.yaml

  1. Configure the system as prompted.
  2. 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. Execute: 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. Execute: yum clean all; yum makecache
  5. Run puppet. Ignore the same DHCP errors: puppet agent -t
  6. Type reboot