Setting Up an NFS Installation Server

Posted on Feb 26, 2025 in Computing and Communications

Installation Server (First Virtual Machine)

Log in as root.

yum install system-config-kickstart nfs-utils
yum install gpm  (mouse support in console)
service gpm restart
vim /etc/idmapd.conf

Change the domain to:

Domain = virtual-server.local

Save the file :wq

vim /etc/exports

Add these lines (to create and share folders over the network):

/linux/x64              172.20.1.0/24    (ro,sync)    "Share the entire operating system"
/linux/ks               172.20.1.0/24    (ro,sync)    "Read only, synchronize" "Share kickstart files"

Save with :wq

useradd
passwd
init 5  (to start the graphical interface)

Use the terminal.

First Terminal Window (Root)

1. su -
2. cat /etc/exports
3. mkdir -p /linux/x64
4. mkdir -p /linux/ks
5. tree /linux/
6. cd /linux/ks/
7. system-config-kickstart
8. ll
9. mount -t iso9660 /home/username/Downloads/fedora64dvd.iso /mnt/ -o loop
10. ll /mnt/
11. cp -Rpv /mnt/* /linux/x64/

Second Terminal Window (Created User)

1. firefox &
2. ifconfig (Use this information in the Kickstart configuration)
3. man grub
4. ll
5. ls
6. mount (Mount the ISO image as if it were a CD)
7. mount -t iso9660 /home/username/Downloads/fedora64dvd.iso /mnt/ -o loop
8. su - (Log in as root)
9. service nfslock restart
10. service rpcbind restart
11. service nfs restart
12. showmount -e ip_address (e.g., 172.20.1.166)
13. service iptables start
14. iptables -A INPUT -i lo -j ACCEPT
15. iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 111 -j ACCEPT
16. iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 2049 -j ACCEPT
17. iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 2049 -j ACCEPT
18. iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 4000 -j ACCEPT
19. iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 4000 -j ACCEPT
20. iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 4001 -j ACCEPT
21. iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 4001 -j ACCEPT
22. iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 4001 -j ACCEPT
23. iptables-save
24. service iptables save (To save the firewall rules)
25. show
26. showmount -e
27. netstat (View TCP connections)

netstat | grep tcp

In Firefox

1. 172.20.1.180 (Only in the classroom)
2. Download Fedora 64
3. Search for VGA GRUB

Kickstart Configurator

In Basic Configuration, check the last two options.

For Installation Method, select “NFS” and enter:

• NFS Server: 172.20.1.166
• NFS Directory: /linux/x64

In Boot Loader options:

• Check “Use GRUB Password”
• Set a password
• Check “Encrypt”

Use a kernel parameter called vga in Installation Options:

kernel parameters: vga=795

In Partition Information, check “Remove existing Linux partitions.”

Add the following partitions:

• /boot, ext4, 512 MB
• /, ext4, 5120 MB
• /home, ext4, 5120 MB
• swap, 2048 MB

In Display Configuration, select “Disabled”.

In Package Selection, check “KDE Software”.

Go to the File option and save the configuration in the /linux/ks folder.

Close the configurator.

NFS Server (Second Virtual Machine Configuration)

Configure the virtual machine’s network settings to connect to the physical network.

Use the following parameter:

ks=nfs:172.20.1.166:/linux/ks/spks.cfg
       "IP Address"          "Filename"