[CentOS] [OT] PXE Boot / image server for non-profit's computers

[Drew Weaver]

-----Original Message-----
From: centos-bounces at centos.org [mailto:centos-bounces at centos.org] On Behalf Of m.roth at 5-cent.us
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 3:21 PM
To: CentOS mailing list
Subject: Re: [CentOS] [OT] PXE Boot / image server for non-profit's computers

Jason Pyeron wrote:
> This is the best collection of minds I can think of on this topic, 
> that's why it is on this list. I think it is too subjective for stackoverflow.
>
> So here is the problem:
>
> The community center has multiple computers for the children (and 
> adult
> students) to use. These computer are always donated and the hardware 
> is all different. Currently the systems are running Windows (but this 
> may change). Most days the systems are "hacked" by the kids and all is 
> well,
but sometimes
> the changes to the systems requires a reinstall. The staff are not
presently
> qualified to diagnose any problems.
>
> Here is the draft idea:
>
> 1. Have a CentOS image / PXE server.

This works *really* well - it's how I build/rebuild new servers and workstations. We've got a cgi script that creates a ks file, and we get it started, choose what we're building, and walk away. In somewhere between a dozen and 30 min, it's up, knowing its name, etc.
>
> 2. Make a (bootable) utility CD that:
> * has a program to "save" the state of the computer to the image 
> server

You *really* might want to do that before pxeboot rebuilding it... for legal reasons.
>>>

He could also always just chain pxeboot the imager to create the backup and then the installer to install the new OS.

-Drew