Linux Networking Cookbook

16.5. Creating a Customized Fedora Linux Installation

Problem

You want to create a customized version of Fedora Linux for multiple local installations. You want to select a standard set of packages, and then have an easy way to install it for new users.

Solution

Kickstart (Fedora's customization tool) and your own local installation server are just what you need. A Kickstart file is created automatically at installation, so you can see one at /root/anaconda-ks.cfg on any Fedora system. This file answers all the questions asked by the installer, so all you do is point the installer to the Kickstart file and let it do the rest.

One way to create a Kickstart file is to perform a custom installation: select exactly the packages you want, set up partitioning and filesystems, and then use the automatically generated Kickstart file for new installations. This is also a great way to create an example file for reference.

Another way to is install the Kickstart configurator:

	# yum install system-config-kickstart

This gives you a nice, easy-to-use graphical configurator, as Figure 16-2 shows.

Figure 16-2. The Kickstart configuration tool

Just go through the tabs in order, and when you're finished, you'll have a ks.cfg file. You may use it as-is, or edit it manually to add further refinements.

Discussion

The Kickstart configurator has some limitations. You may select only package groups, not individual ...