Re: Weird Kickstart Problem In Search of a Clue
On Nov 10, 2011, at 1:11 PM, Orion Poplawski wrote:
On 11/10/2011 09:47 AM, Dan White wrote:
> I have set up a cobbler server to kickstart/build HP ProLiant boxen of various
flavors with RHEL5
>
> I have a particularly stubborn DL380 G5 that refuses to be PXE-booted/net-installed
>
> I suspect a FUBAR from the guy that manages the DNS/DHCP, but I need more evidence.
>
> When it tries to PXE-boot, I get "PXE-E11: ARP Timeout" a few times and
then, maybe, it will proceed.
I've seen issues somewhat similar on switches that take a long time to run
spanning tree protocol checks before bringing up the port. Disabling that
(port-fast in cisco lingo I think) helps.
OK, that could explain the PXE-boot problem, but what about the other part ?
When it gets into anaconda, it hangs on a screen that says:
-----------------------
Error downloading kickstart file:
Unable to download the kickstart file. Please modify the
kickstart parameter below or press Cancel to proceed as an
iteractive installation.
http://<IP of cobbler server>/cblr/svc/op/ks/system/<system name from
Cobbler>
------------------------
The URL is not the problem. I can type that URL into any other machine on the network and
get the kickstart file.
On the suggestion of a co-worker, I booted the same G5 with a CentOS 6 LiveCD, configured
its network interface and was able to bring up the kickstart file in a ForeFox browser.
I have loaded/booted several other machines from this samre server, so I am confident that
the problem is not on the cobbler server. Being able to get to the KS file with the
CentOS LiveCD says to me that the G5 is not the problem. I suspect the problem is
somewhere between the two machines.