3.5.2. SIMP Server Installation¶
This chapter provides guidance on installing, configuring, and bootstrapping
the SIMP server using the SIMP Utility, simp
.
3.5.2.1. 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:
- Central Processing Unit (CPU) : 2 Cores
- Random Access Memory (RAM) : 2.2 GB
- Hard Disk Drive (HDD) : 50 GB
3.5.2.2. 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.
3.5.2.3. SIMP Default Passwords¶
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
3.5.2.4. Preparing the SIMP Server Environment¶
- Boot the system and ensure the SIMP ISO is selected.
- If you do not have a SIMP ISO, see Building SIMP From Tarball.
- 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.
- For a detailed description of the the disk encryption enabled via the
- When the installation is complete, the system will restart automatically.
- Change the
root
user password- At the console, 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.
- At the console, log on as
- Change the
simp
user password- At the console, log on as
simp
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.
- At the console, log on as
3.5.2.5. 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.
- Log on as
simp
and runsu -
to gain root access. - Type
simp config
and configure the system as prompted.
simp config
will prompt you for system settings and then apply the smallest settings subset that is required to bootstrap the system.- When applicable,
simp config
will present you with a recommendation for each setting (variable). To keep a recommended value, press Enter. Otherwise, enter your desired value.simp config
generates a log file containing details of the configuration selected and actions taken.- For more details about the installation variables set by
simp config
and the corresponding actions, see Initial Configuration.- For a list of additional options, type
simp help config
.
simp config --dry-run
will run through all of thesimp config
prompts without applying any changes to the system. This is the option to run to become familiar with the variables set bysimp config
or generate a configuration file to be used as a template for subsequentsimp config
runs.simp config -a <Config File>
will load a previously generated configuration in lieu of prompting for settings, and then apply the settings. This is the option to run for systems that will be rebuilt often.
Note
Once simp config
has been run, three SIMP configuration files
will be generated:
/root/.simp/simp_conf.yaml
: File containing all yoursimp config
settings; can include additional settings related to ones you entered and other settings required for SIMP./etc/puppetlabs/code/environments/simp/hieradata/simp_config_settings.yaml
: File containing global hieradata relevant to SIMP clients and the SIMP server./etc/puppetlabs/code/environments/simp/hieradata/hosts/<host>.yaml
: SIMP server host YAML file.
- 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
3.5.2.6. Performing Post-installation Setup on the SIMP Server¶
Log on as
root
Run puppet for the first time.
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
.Type:
unpack_dvd CentOS-RHEL_MAJOR_VERSION-x86_64-DVD-####.iso
Update your system using yum. The updates applied will be dependent on what ISO you initially used.
Type:
yum clean all; yum makecache
Run puppet.
Type:
puppet agent -t
Reboot your system:
Type
reboot