Creating a system package for Windows and Linux

To perform an unattended installation of an operating system, you must create a system package for each server configuration that you want to install. This topic contains the following sections:

• Overview of system packages
• Before you begin
• To create a system package for Microsoft Windows
• To create a system package for Red Hat Linux
• To create a system package for SUSE Linux
• To create a system package for Citrix XenServer
• To create a system package for ESXi 4.1 and 5.0 servers
• To create a system package for ESX servers
• Where to go from here

Overview of system packages

A system package contains the following types of information:

• All of the instructions needed to install an operating system over the network — A system package type uses installation files for a specific operating system. Consequently, system packages for the various types of Windows, Linux, VMWare ESX and ESXi, Solaris, AIX, Citrix XenServer, and HP-UX operating systems are not interchangeable. You must create separate system packages for servers running different operating systems.
• (Optional) Instructions for running jobs that install software and configure a machine for a particular purpose — You can create a different system package for each server configuration that you want to provision, rather than just creating one system package for each type of operating system. For example, you could create a system package for a web server running Windows 2008 and IIS, and then create another system package running Windows 2008 without the web server configuration.

Before you begin

In the Depot, create one or more folders for your system packages.

To create a system package for Microsoft Windows

1. In the Depot, right-click the folder where you want to add a new system package. From the pop-up menu, choose New > System package.

2. Provide information for the new system package, as described in the following sections: 

   Panel	Description
   System Package Creation - General	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   System Package Creation - Properties	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   System Package Creation - Permissions	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.

3. Click Finish. The system package opens in the content editor.

4. Define settings in the system package using the tabs at the bottom of the content editor. Each OS type has a different set of tabs.

   Panel	Description
   Pre-install scripts - Windows	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Disk partition - Windows	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Post-disk partition - Windows	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Basic configuration - Windows	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Computer settings - Windows 2008 or later	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Computer settings - Windows operating systems earlier than Windows 2008	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   OS components - Windows 2008 or later	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   OS components - Windows operating systems earlier than Windows 2008	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Network - Windows	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Unattend entries - Windows 2008 or later	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Unattend entries - Windows operating systems earlier than Windows 2008	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Post-install configuration - Windows and Windows R2	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Local properties - Windows	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.

   Tip

   When defining a system package, note the presence of the Select Property icon next to various input fields. This icon indicates that you can insert a parameter that refers to a local property to supply the value for the field. For information on inserting a parameter, see Inserting a parameter in a system package field and Inserting a script in a system package. For an example of how using parameters can streamline provisioning, see Assigning-configuration-values-during-device-import.

5. When you finish defining the system package, select File > Save.

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To create a system package for Red Hat Linux

1. In the Depot, right-click the folder where you want to add a new system package. From the pop-up menu, choose New > System package.

2. Provide information for the new system package, as described in the following sections: 

   Panel	Description
   System Package Creation - General	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   System Package Creation - Properties	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   System Package Creation - Permissions	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.

3. Click Finish. The system package opens in the content editor.

4. Define settings in the system package using the tabs at the bottom of the content editor. Each OS type has a different set of tabs.

   Panel	Description
   Pre-install scripts - Red Hat Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Disk partition - Red Hat Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Basic configuration - Red Hat Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Computer settings - Red Hat Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields. The Computer Settings tab lets you provide information about peripheral devices and localization settings. Field definitions Field Description Keyboard Select the keyboard layout type that you want to be the system default. For example, in the United States you would probably select us. Mouse Select a type of mouse that you want to use with the machine. Time zone Do either of the following: Select a time zone from the drop-down list. Check Use Custom TimeZone and type a time zone in the text box. Important: TrueSight Server Automation does not support the TZ environment variable to set time zone. Functioning of TrueSight Server Automation might be impacted by this variable. Locale Select a language option from the drop-down list. For example, in the United States, select English (USA). Key Setup Red Hat Enterprise Linux Note: This field is only relevant for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (versions 7, 8 and 9) For Installation Number, do one of the following: Enter the 16-character alpha-numeric key that can be used during the installation process. Click Select Property to display a drop-down menu of available properties. Select the property that contains the installation number. Leave the Installation Number field blank. If you do not enter an installation number (subscription number), the provisioning process installs the core operating system without the packages that require the subscription number. You can install these packages separately when you get the number. Proceed to the OS-components-Red-Hat-Linux tab.
   OS components - Red Hat Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Network - Red Hat Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Kickstart entries - Red Hat Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Post-install configuration - Red Hat Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields. The Post-install Configuration tab lets you specify the installation of a TrueSight Server Automation RSCD agent on the target server, specify a Batch Job that runs after the operating system is installed on the server, and enter commands that are included in the Kickstart file. Field definitions Proceed to the Local properties - Red Hat Linux tab.
   Local properties - Red Hat Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.

   Tip

   When defining a system package, note the presence of the Select Property icon next to various input fields. This icon indicates that you can insert a parameter that refers to a local property to supply the value for the field. For information on inserting a parameter, see Inserting a parameter in a system package field and Inserting a script in a system package. For an example of how using parameters can streamline provisioning, see Assigning-configuration-values-during-device-import.

5. When you finish defining the system package, select File > Save.

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To create a system package for SUSE Linux

1. In the Depot, right-click the folder where you want to add a new system package. From the pop-up menu, choose New > System package.

2. Provide information for the new system package, as described in the following sections: 

   Panel	Description
   System Package Creation - General	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   System Package Creation - Properties	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   System Package Creation - Permissions	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.

3. Click Finish. The system package opens in the content editor.

4. Define settings in the system package using the tabs at the bottom of the content editor. Each OS type has a different set of tabs.

   Panel	Description
   Pre-install scripts - SUSE Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Disk partition - SUSE Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Basic configuration - SUSE Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Computer settings - SUSE Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   OS components - SUSE Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Network - SUSE Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   AutoYaST entries - SUSE Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Post-install configuration - SUSE Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields. The Post-install Configuration tab lets you: specify the installation of a TrueSight Server Automation RSCD agent on the target server, define a Batch Job that runs after the operating system is installed on the server, and enter commands that are included in the AutoYast file. Field definitions Proceed to the Local-properties-SUSE-Linux tab.
   Local properties - SUSE Linux	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.

   Tip

   When defining a system package, note the presence of the Select Property icon next to various input fields. This icon indicates that you can insert a parameter that refers to a local property to supply the value for the field. For information on inserting a parameter, see Inserting a parameter in a system package field and Inserting a script in a system package. For an example of how using parameters can streamline provisioning, see Assigning-configuration-values-during-device-import.

5. When you finish defining the system package, select File > Save.

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To create a system package for Citrix XenServer

1. In the Depot, right-click the folder where you want to add a new system package. From the pop-up menu, choose New > System package.

2. Provide information for the new system package, as described in the following sections: 

   Panel	Description
   System Package Creation - General	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   System Package Creation - Properties	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   System Package Creation - Permissions	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.

3. Click Finish. The system package opens in the content editor.

4. Define settings in the system package using the tabs at the bottom of the content editor. 

   Panel	Description
   Pre-install scripts - Citrix XenServer	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Disk partition - Citrix XenServer	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Basic configuration - Citrix XenServer	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Computer settings - Citrix XenServer	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Network - Citrix XenServer	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Unattend entries - Citrix XenServer	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Post-install configuration - Citrix XenServer	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Local properties - Citrix XenServer	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.

   Tip

   When defining a system package, note the presence of the Select Property icon next to various input fields. This icon indicates that you can insert a parameter that refers to a local property to supply the value for the field. For information on inserting a parameter, see Inserting a parameter in a system package field and Inserting a script in a system package. For an example of how using parameters can streamline provisioning, see Assigning-configuration-values-during-device-import.

5. When you finish defining the system package, select File > Save.

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To create a system package for ESXi 4.1 and 5.0 servers

1. In the Depot, right-click the folder where you want to add a new system package. From the pop-up menu, choose New > System package.

2. Provide information for the new system package, as described in the following sections: 

   Panel	Description
   System Package Creation - General	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   System Package Creation - Properties	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   System Package Creation - Permissions	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.

3. Click Finish. The system package opens in the content editor.

4. Define settings in the system package using the tabs at the bottom of the content editor. 

   Panel	Description
   Pre-install script - ESXi 4.1 and 5.0	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Disk partition - ESXi 4.1 and 5.0	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Basic configuration - ESXi 4.1 and 5.0	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Computer settings - ESXi 4.1 and 5.0	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Network - ESXi 4.1 and 5.0	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Kickstart entries - ESXi 4.1 and 5.0	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Post-install configuration - ESXi 4.1 and 5.0	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Local properties - ESXi 4.1 and 5.0	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.

   Tip

   When defining a system package, note the presence of the Select Property icon next to various input fields. This icon indicates that you can insert a parameter that refers to a local property to supply the value for the field. For information on inserting a parameter, see Inserting a parameter in a system package field and Inserting a script in a system package. For an example of how using parameters can streamline provisioning, see Assigning-configuration-values-during-device-import.

5. When you finish defining the system package, select File > Save.

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To create a system package for ESX servers

1. In the Depot, right-click the folder where you want to add a new system package. From the pop-up menu, choose New > System package.

2. Provide information for the new system package, as described in the following sections: 

   Panel	Description
   System Package Creation - General	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   System Package Creation - Properties	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   System Package Creation - Permissions	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.

3. Click Finish. The system package opens in the content editor.

4. Define settings in the system package using the tabs at the bottom of the content editor. 

   Panel	Description
   Pre-install script - ESX	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Disk partition - ESX	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Basic configuration - ESX	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Computer settings - ESX	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Network - ESX	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Kickstart entries - ESX	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Post-install configuration - ESX	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.
   Local properties - ESX	Click here to see the descriptions of the fields.

   Tip

   When defining a system package, note the presence of the Select Property icon next to various input fields. This icon indicates that you can insert a parameter that refers to a local property to supply the value for the field. For information on inserting a parameter, see Inserting a parameter in a system package field and Inserting a script in a system package. For an example of how using parameters can streamline provisioning, see Assigning-configuration-values-during-device-import.

5. When you finish defining the system package, select File > Save.

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Where to go from here

Setting-up-provisioning-jobs-and-post-provisioning-jobs