install-os - a tool for system builders and DevOps to build configured raw disk images

-- WARNING --

This software requires root privileges to create loopback devices, mount partitions and install software in the mounted partitions.

** USE AT YOUR OWN RISK **

How to Use

install-os will show a basic help message when no command is added. On the command line Just enter:

install-os

To install Cent OS to a raw disk image use the install command:

sudo install-os install base_files/centos-7.6.1810-x86_64 my_raw_disk_image.img

The raw disk image is created as part of the install. If the path already exists as a file then install-os will exit. If the path given is a directory then the install is made to the directory.

The basic form is install distribution to image. The distribution definition files are called 'base' files and define the basic characteristics of any installation. At present install-os only supports RPM based distributions. See the base_files directory for examples.

Additional configuration scripts can be added to the command, e.g.

sudo install-os install base_files/centos-7.6.1810-x86_64 my_raw_disk_image.img my_webserver_install.json

Configuration scripts are JSON formatted. A list of commands available in a script can be seen with:

install-os list

For more information about each script command use install-os help <command>, for example:

install-os help packages

How to Build install-os

install-os uses the Meson build system. First clone the mainline repository:

git clone https://gitlab.com/astavale/install-os
cd install-os

Then set up your Meson build directory:

meson setup my_build_dir

Then build the program. For example, if using ninja as the backend:

ninja -C my_build_dir

To run install-os use:

./my_build_dir install-os

Improvements

Future improvements could be:

• System wide install
• Add base_files to system wide install directories
• Tighter use of system administration privileges
• Support for dpkg so Debian based distributions can be installed

Financing

If you think install-os has potential and you would like to fund future features please contact opensouce @ astavale.co.uk.

Note that the project is licensed under the GPL v3 and follows a collaborative development model. Self funded contributions are welcome.