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BootCD/BootImage Setup


Boot Configuration

The node Configuration File (plnode.txt) contains the network configuration for your node: many of the same values you have registered in the previous step. As well, the Configuration File includes a secret key (NODE_KEY) shared by your node and PL. Using this shared key, the communication between PLC and your node is secure during the initial bootstrap. The BootImage contains a minimal OS, consisting of the Linux kernel, simple root file system, and routines for communicating with PlanetLab Central.

Both the BootImage and configuration file need to be accessible for your PlanetLab node to contact PlanetLab Central. There are a few options for making them both accessible, that depend on the boot media used for the BootImage software and where plnode.txt is stored. The BootImage can be written to either a CD-ROM or USB flash device. The plnode.txt file can be placed within the BootImage image before writing it to the boot media (CD-ROM or USB device) or to a separate floppy disk. What you choose will depend on your level of comfort with the commands needed, and the hardware you have available.

 

 plnode.txt on CD-ROMplnode.txt on USB

plnode.txt on Floppy

BootImage for CD-ROM(1)
(3)

(4)

BootImage for USB Stick
N/A
(2)
N/A

 

All-In-One-Images

  1. This is the simplest option for long-term maintenance because you have only a single physical media.
    • On the My Nodes link under Nodes to find your machine name.
    • Under, Download select "Download ISO image for <hostname>".
    • This will generate a Custom ISO image that contains both the BootImage and your nodes plnode.txt configuration.
    • Save the Custom ISO image, and burn the Custom ISO image to CD.
    • Place the CD in your PlanetLab host and boot it.
  2. Like the instructions for CD-ROM, this method will provide a single physical media for the machine, simplifying long-term maintenance.
  • If you received an All-in-One image from Site Assistant or for the DC7800 configuration, then
    • Download the image from the URL provided to you in the  email message.
    • It is not necessary to run any other formatting ommands for these images, because they already include a MBR, partition table, and filesystem.  They are ready to be copied directly to USB stick.
    • # dd if=planetlab.hostname.site.edu-partition.usb of=/dev/sdX
    • Where sdX is your direct, USB device
    • Configure BIOS to boot from USB media, if necessary.
    • Insert USB stick in a USB port on Planetlab host and boot.
  • Otherwise, if you are doing this yourself
    • On the My Nodes link under Nodes to find your machine name.
    • Under, Download select "Download generic USB image".
    • Under, Download select "Download plnode.txt for <hostname>"
    • Download the bootcustom.sh shell script that merges the USB image and plnode.txt.
    • Because the script mounts the USB image, as root run 
    • # ./bootcustom.sh <USB image> <plnode.txt>
    • The result will be a new USB image called <hostname>.usb, where, hostname is the DNS name of your machine.
    • Copy new USB image to USB Stick
    • Configure BIOS to boot from USB media, if necessary.
    • Insert USB stick in a USB port on Planetlab host and boot.

Generic Images with Separate plnode.txt

3. If for some reason this option is not available to you, you may choose to download Generic ISO image. Now it is necessary to also download the plnode.txt configuration file and write it to separate media, such as a USB stick.
  • On the My Nodes link under Nodes to find your machine name.
  • Under, Download select "Download generic ISO image".
  • Under, Download select "Download plnode.txt for <hostname>"
  • Format your USB stick as FAT16 filesystem.
  • Copy plnode.txt to your USB stick.
  • Burn the ISO image to CD
  • Place both the CD and USB stick in your PlanetLab host and boot.
4. Just like the previous instructions, except now, the plnode.txt file is kept on a floppy disk.
    • On the My Nodes link under Nodes to find your machine name.
    • Under, Download select "Download generic ISO image".
    • Under, Download select "Download plnode.txt for <hostname>"
    • Format your Floppy disk as FAT16 filesystem.
    • Copy plnode.txt to Floppy disk.
    • Burn the ISO image to CD
    • Place both the CD and floppy disk in your PlanetLab host and boot.
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By drupal at 2007-08-10 14:30