C.4. Importing the Distribution
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C.4. Importing the Distribution

To offer a distribution through more than one installation method, perform additional cobbler import tasks using a different name for each method. For best results, use the installation method as part of the name, so it appears in the client's boot menu.

  1. To import the DVD disc or ISO distribution into cobbler, run this command:

    cobbler import --path=/mnt/dvd --name=distro_name

    For distro_name, substitute a meaningful name for the distribution.

    To import a local or remote network distribution into cobbler, run this command. Replace network_URI with the URI you found in Section C.3, “Mirroring a Network Location”, and distro_name as above:

    cobbler import --mirror=network_URI --name=distro_name
    [Important] Importing a Source

    When cobbler imports a distribution with the commands above, it copies all the files to the server's local storage, which may take some time.

    If you do not want to make local copies of the distribution because clients can already reach its location, use the --available-as option.

    cobbler import --path=/mnt/dvd --name=distro_name --available-as=network_URI
cobbler import --mirror=network_URI --name=distro_name --available-as=network_URI

    For nework_URI, substitute the appropriate network location of the distribution. This URI indicates how the server makes the distribution available to its clients. The examples above assume that your cobbler server reaches the mirror location at the same URI as the clients. If not, substitute an appropriate URI for the --mirror option. The following examples are URI locations that work if you have been following the procedures in this section, and your server's IP address is 192.168.1.1:

    • nfs://192.168.1.1:/mnt/dvd

    • http://192.168.1.1:/distro

    If necessary, replace 192.168.1.1 with the IP address for your cobbler server.

  2. Run the command cobbler sync to apply the changes. To check that your cobbler server is listening on the correct ports, use the netstat -lp command.

    [Important] Firewall Considerations

    Depending on your server's configuration, you may need to use the system-config-securitylevel command to permit access to some or all of these network services:

    • 67 or bootps, for the DHCP/BOOTP server

    • 69 or tftp, for providing the PXE loader

    • 80 or http, if the cobbler server is to provide HTTP installation service

    • 20 and 21 or ftp, if the cobbler server is to provide FTP installation service

    • 111 or sunrpc, if the cobbler server is to provide NFS installation service

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