Subject: Re: [vserver] Mix and match guest distributions
From: "Michael S. Zick" <mszick@morethan.org>
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2011 07:55:59 -0500

On Thu April 14 2011, Roderick A. Anderson wrote:
> 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.
> 

A kernel + a minimal build of busybox should fill that bill.
A common add-on to "minimal" is an application providing sshd (often DropBear).

Unless your definition of "minimal host" includes KDE or other GUI. ;-)

Mike
> 
> \\||/
> Rod