AUTOYAST= syntax

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#1

Hello.

On a test laptop, I was trying to use a previous autoinst.xml file created by a previous install.
I use an usb disk on which the iso was copied using imagewriter.
I use a second usb disk on which is copied the autoinst.xml file I want to use.
The laptop is currently booting on a good leap 42.1

My purpose is to see how to install or reinstall OS on the same hardware with one click.
During the boot process, I modify the loader process by adding this:

autoyast=usb://*autoinst.xml*/CODE]
The process stop because the file was not found.

So I copied the file on another computer (which ip address is 192.168.1.1) with

autoyast=http://192.168.1.1/autoinst.xml


The process stop because the file was not found.

So I copied the file on the first disk where the root partition is

autoyast=device://dev/sda2/autoinst.xml


The process stop because the file was not found.

So my first question is :

> What is the real syntax in the three cases I tested.


Then I try

autoyast=autoinst.xml


The process goes to the end.
But the disk formatting was not the one in my autoinst.file.

So my second question is :

> Is there any autoinst.xml file in the opensuse iso.


Any help is welcome
#2

The easiest (IMHO), and what I usually use is:

autoyast=http://192.168.1.1/autoinst.xml

The syntax is correct.

See invoking_autoinst for more examples (scroll down).

First, see if you can access this file (browser or wget). Use the exact address as you use in the installer.
Get an error? Solve that first (perhaps via the apache log files in /var/log/apache2/ on 192.168.1.1).

No error? OK. Now the installation process.

So http://192.168.1.1/autoinst.xml is not found by the installer and the installation stops. But the installer has text-consoles for debugging. Go to a text-console via for example ++. There are several text-consoles available, some with a shell prompt, some with various debug info. Use -, -, -, -, etc. to navigate.

Inspect the debug info. Perhaps the problem is already indicated. If not, find out whether the network is setup correctly and whether you can access autoinst.xml. You can use a text-console with a shell-prompt for that. So, try to answer these questions:

Does the installsystem have an IP-address? (ip -4 addr show) Is the gateway correct? (ip -4 route show) Can you ping 192.168.1.1? What does wget http://192.168.1.1/autoinst.xml do?

Perhaps you need:

netsetup=dhcp autoyast=http://192.168.1.1/autoinst.xml

In case you need a fixed IP-address, use something like this:

ifcfg="192.168.1.3/16,192.168.0.1,192.168.0.2" autoyast=http://192.168.1.1/autoinst.xml

192.168.1.3: the system to be installed
192.168.0.1: your gateway (router)
192.168.0.2: your nameserver (might be the same as the router)

(replace the IP-adresses I used with the ones you use)

For dual stack, use this construct:

ifcfg="192.168.1.3/16 2001:xxxx::y/64,192.168.0.1 2001:xxxx::yy,192.168.0.2 2001:xxxx::zz"

O, BTW, perhaps backup what’s important first. :wink:

Is there any autoinst.xml file in the opensuse iso.

No. (I checked with find after mounting the 42.1 DVD iso)

#3

Ok that the network part of my post.

My local network is OK.
The machine where I am testing autoyast is new on the network.
The machine where autoinst.xml reside on has no particular configuration; it is just a workstation with ssh installed and configured.
So how the test machine can talk to that workstation without any configuration ?

Now about my first attempt using a second usb stick which have the autoinst.xml file :

During the boot process, I modify the loader process by adding this:

autoyast=usb://*autoinst.xml*

The process stop because the file was not found.

The documentation says that it is sufficient, and autoyast is able to find the file if it is in the root of any usb stick.

Using the Original openSUSE Leap DVD-ROM When using the original DVD-ROM (DVD #1 is needed), the control file needs to be accessible via flash disk or network:
Flash Disk. Access the control file via the autoyast=usb://PATH option.

Have you any idea ?

> O, BTW, perhaps backup what’s important first. :wink:
There is nothing to backup. It is a test machine.

Thank you very much for helping.

#4

jcdole,

Just tested this in a virtual machine. You need:

autoyast=usb:///*autoinst.xml*

So, 3 slashes (usb:// + PATH, where PATH=/autoinst.xml).

So how the test machine can talk to that workstation without any configuration ?

It cannot. You would need a working network configuration, either with netsetup=dhcp or ifcfg="…" as described in my previous post.

Kind regards,

Leen

#5

I shall have a try ASAP

I shall have a try ASAP

Thank you very much for your help.

I shall give news as soon as final 42.2 is available.