3. Preparing the server
The preparation of the server is quite fast, but there is a "gotcha" or two you have to watch out for.
3.1. NFS server
Install the nfs-utils RPM.
Edit the /etc/exports file to export those part of the file system you want.
/usr 192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0(rw,root_squash) /home 192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0(rw,root_squash) /movies 192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0(ro,root_squash)
The above listing show how to export the "/usr", "/home" and "/movies" directories.
The conservative people should frown upon the "rw" of "/usr". I've tried "ro" but then Open Office would not run.
3.2. Display manager
During the trails I've done, Mandriva 2006's KDM crashed regularly in a hybrid setup. GDM was very solid, and is recommended in a hybrid setup.
ensure the gdm RPM is installed
In the mcc, Select: System->Choose the display manager that enables which user to log in and choose "GDM(GNOME Display Manager)".
3.3. Adding the users
Add the users which you want to. You may even enable advanced authentication mechanisms like LDAP.
We will eventually create an image of this server's disk, so the user authentication and users available must be set up prior to creating a live CD.
3.4. Reducing running services
Usually you do not want server services running on a live CD. Please ensure that at least the following services are disabled prior to creating the live CD:
partmon - This moans upon startup when used in a hybrid setup.
nfs - We do not want to run a NFS server on each live CD.
3.5. Edit the netfs startup script
The live CD's which I've used in a trail were to fast upon startup to successfully mount the NFS shares. Adding a simple "sleep 5" to the /etc/init.d/netfs startup script did the trick.
[ -n "$NFSFSTAB" ] &&
{
[ ! -f /var/lock/subsys/portmap -a -x /etc/init.d/portmap ] && service portmap start
#ADD
echo SLEEP A While!
sleep 5
echo WAKE UP DUDE!
#END ADD
[ -f /var/lock/subsys/portmap ] &&action "Mounting NFS filesystems: " mount -a -t nfs,nfs4
}
| Remember to re-enable those services you disabled as soon as you are finished |