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:
- Central Processing Unit (CPU) : 2 Cores
- Random Access Memory (RAM) : 2.2 GB
- Hard Disk Drive (HDD) : 50 GB
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¶
- Boot the system and ensure the SIMP ISO is selected.
- Press Enter* to run the standard SIMP install, or choose from the customized options list.
- When the installation is complete, the system will restart automatically.
- Log on as
root
and type the default password shown in Table 2.1. - Type the default password again when prompted for the (current) UNIX password.
- 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.
- Log on as
simp
and runsu -
to gain root access. - Type
simp config
- 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.- For a list of additional commands, type
simp help
. Typesimp help ***<Command>***
for more information on a specific command.- 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
- Configure the system as prompted.
- 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.
- Type
reboot
Performing Post-installation Setup on the SIMP Server¶
- Log on as
root
- Run puppet for the first time. Errors will appear for DHCP. These can be safely ignored at this stage. Type:
puppet agent -t
- 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
- Update your system using yum. The updates applied will be dependent on what ISO you initially used. Execute:
yum clean all; yum makecache
- Run puppet. Ignore the same DHCP errors:
puppet agent -t
- Type
reboot