AutoYaSt

When you install a SUSE Linux Enterprise client, there are a number of questions you need to answer. To automate installation, you can create an AutoYaST file with all the answers to those questions, so that no user intervention is required.

AutoYaST files can be kept on a server and read by individual clients during installation. The same AutoYaST file is used to install multiple clients.

AutoYaST can be used to schedule a registered system to be installed with a new operating system and package profile, or you can use it to install a new system that was not previously registered, or does not yet have an operating system installed.

For more information about AutoYaST, see https://doc.opensuse.org/projects/autoyast/.

Before you Begin

Some preparation is required for your infrastructure to handle AutoYaST installations. Before you create an AutoYaST profile, consider:

  • A DHCP server is not required for AutoYaST, but it can make things easier. If you are using static IP addresses, you should select static IP while developing your AutoYaST profile.

  • Host the AutoYaST distribution trees via HTTP, provided by SUSE Manager.

  • If you are performing a bare metal AutoYaST installation, use these settings:

    • Configure DHCP to assign the required networking parameters and the bootloader program location.

    • In the bootloader configuration file, specify the kernel and appropriate kernel options to be used.

Build a Bootable ISO

You will need to create a bootable ISO image to be used by the target system for installation. When the system is rebooted or switched on, it boots from the image, loads the AutoYaST configuration from your SUSE Manager, and installs SUSE Linux Enterprise Server according to the AutoYaST profile.

To use the ISO image, boot the system and type autoyast at the prompt (assuming you left the label for the AutoYaST boot as autoyast). Press Enter to begin the AutoYaST installation.

This is managed by the KIWI image system. For more information about KIWI, see http://doc.opensuse.org/projects/kiwi/doc/.

Integrate with PXE

Instead of using a bootable ISO image, you can use a PXE image instead. This is less error-prone, allows AutoYaST installation from bare metal, and integrates with existing PXE/DHCP environments.

To use this method, make sure your systems have network interface cards (NICs) that support PXE. You will need to install and configure a PXE server, ensure DHCP is running, and place the installation repository on an HTTP server that is reachable by the SUSE Manager Server.

Upload the AutoYaST profile to the SUSE Manager Server using the SUSE Manager Web UI.

When the AutoYaST profile has been created, use the URL from the Autoinstallation Overview page as the image location.

For more information about PXE boot, see https://www.suse.com/documentation/sles-15/singlehtml/book_sle_deployment/book_sle_deployment.html#cha.deployment.prep_pxe.

For more information about autoinstallation profiles, see reference:systems/autoinst-profiles.adoc.