Scripted build via ks.cfg file on floppy

[Bhanta]

Hi all,

Not sure if what i am seeing is expected behaviour so be greatfull if somebody could comment and advise accordingly. Basically i want to do an automatted esx 4 update1 scripted install...i have tried doing it via a http reopository but wasn't having much luck. As a result i have now resorted to trying to building a floppy disk image via magiciso (im sure you can use other products) of the ks.cfg file. Then when i boot the HP server i mount the original esx4u1 iso image and also the floppy disk image (of the ks.cfg file) and press f2 at the esx splash screen and type the following:

....ksdevice=vmnic2 ip= ks=floppy

however when the build goes through its normal cycle i am still presented with the default "Welcome to the ESX installer" splash screen and i am required to type in the settings manually. It as though the settings in the ks.cfg are ignored.....to make sure my settings are correct ive built this server manually before and got the ks.cfg setttings. Ive attached the ks.cfg file and taken out specific details such as ip address, hostname etc.

Can somebody suggest what i am doing wrong???

[DSTAVERT]

I don't think the install supports the key word floppy. Try putting the ks.cfg file on USB or include it on the CD

[Troy_Clavell]

I don't even think a floppy is a valid or supported form of media to call the kickstart from

maybe take that ks.cfg file inject it into the ESX ISO, then burn to DVD and call it that way?

ks=cdrom:/ksOriginal.cfg

...but if it is, you still have to say what and where the kickstart is

try

ksdevice=vmnic2 ip=<ip> netmask=<netmask> gateway=<gateway> ks=floppy:/ksOriginal.cfg

[BenConrad]

Http or PXE is a good way to go. Can you explain what the issues were with http?

Ben

[Bhanta]

Hi,

Thanks for that...silly question but if i wanted to inject my ks.cfg file into the original esx4u1 iso then where would i place it - top level at the root?

Also i noticed that when i edit/create my ks.cfg file i use Textpad from a windows machine. Now when it comes to saving the file it saves it as a "PC" file format...would this cause any issues? It noticed that there is also an option to save it as a "UNIX" file format.

I was seeing some strange behaviour related to "unauthorized" and "file not found" error messages when using http. Even though anonomus access is allowed on the IIS server.

Thanks for the responses so far

[mikeyhoward]

A good artiicle for deploying ESX via http scripted can be found at if you haven't seen it already.

With regards to your ks.cfg placement in an ISO image, you can put them wherever you wish, I tend to place them in a custom folder off of the root.

Call the ks.cfg from the CDROM by using...

append initrd=initrd.img vmkopts=debugLogToSerial:1 mem=512M quiet ks=cdrom:/MY_CUSTOM_FOLDER/ks.cfg

Hope that helps

[Bhanta]

Hi

i have tried during an iso image with my ks.cfg in a custom folder...however when i boot my HP BL460 G6 blade i see a red screen of death with an "illegal opp code" error message - screen shot attached.

i have done some investigating but only managed to find something relating to a HP BL465 blade and upgrading its BIOS firmware....however im using a HL BL460 server. Any suggestions or anyone seen this before and know a fix for it???

[mikeyhoward]

At what stage is the error appearing?

[Bhanta]

As soon as i boot the server (well after the default HP info)