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 --