Subject: Re: [vserver] Mix and match guest distributions
From: "Roderick A. Anderson" <raanders@cyber-office.net>
Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:58:51 -0700

Adrian Reyer wrote:
> On Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 02:19:26PM -0700, Roderick A. Anderson wrote:
>> 1. Is it possible to build a non-Gentoo based guest template?
> 
> I take it you run a Gentoo host toi ask that question?
> I run Debian hosts and I used Debian, SuSE, Fedora and CentOS guests so
> far. I see no reason why you should be restricted on Gentoo.

Actually I run CentOS.  (I've been using Redhat based distributions 
since Redhat 3.0.3)  But I am looking for a minimalist 
setup/distribution for the host.

>>    Say I have a CentOS or Ubuntu guest on one system and want _VERY_
>> similar bunches of guests on other systems.  Can I build a template
>> of a guest to put somewhere (CD/DVD, USB thumb, network) and use as
>> needed?
> 
> Sure. If you run i386 host kernels, you can run i386 guests, if you run
> amd64 kernels, you can run i386 or amd64 guests.
> 
>> 2. If so, how do I create the template?
>>    Is it as simple as building a tarball of a (non-running) guest?
> 
> That's a possibility, however, I suggest you check out method 'rsync'
> for vserver build and just have a suitable resynced tree around on your
> flash drive. If you point /etc/vservers/NAME/vdir at the right location
> you could even run your guest on different hosts, taking it with you.
> You should make sure to set the barrier-flag correctly.

Well it has to come out eventually but what I was hoping to do is come 
up with a Linux-Vserver distribution that would fit on a CD/DVD.  Get 
the host OS installed and offer guests (mostly ready to go) of other 
distributions that could be installed.

>> 3. And if I'm heading down a good path what would you say is the
>> most stripped down distribution that could be used for the host?
> 
> Sorry, no useful opinion here, I just happen to run an 'approx' vserver
> for my debian based guests. And while vserver setup deletes startup
> links for hardware-centric services, they happen and reappear on
> updates. I suggest setting them to 'K' links instead. At least the ones
> that don't try and modify hardware on shutdown.

As I said above I'm looking for the most generic and minimal host OS I 
can find.  Probably wishful thinking.


\\||/
Rod
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