Preseed/Kickstart Scripts¶

Overview¶

Preseed Scripts (|TooPre|) manage Kickstart and Preseed configuration files for automated operating system installation during bare-metal and image build workflows. These scripts provide the unattended installation answers that configure partitioning, networking, packages, and post-installation steps.

Preseed scripts are served over HTTP by the HPE Morpheus Software appliance and referenced from boot scripts or image build configurations.

Role Permissions¶

Access to Preseed Scripts is controlled by the following role permission:

• Tools: Image Builder — None, Read, or Full

  • None: Cannot access Preseed Scripts

  • Read: Can view preseed scripts

  • Full: Can create, edit, and delete preseed scripts

Viewing Preseed Scripts¶

1. Navigate to |TooPre| (Tools > Preseed Scripts)

2. The list displays all preseed scripts with:

   • File Name: The script filename (must be unique)

   • Description: Script description

   • Created By: User who created the script

Creating a Preseed Script¶

1. Navigate to |TooPre|

2. Click + ADD

3. Complete the form:

   • FILE NAME: Unique filename for the script (e.g., centos9-ks.cfg, ubuntu-22.04.seed). This determines the URL where the script is served.

   • DESCRIPTION: Optional description

   • CONTENT: The preseed or kickstart file content

4. Click SAVE

Kickstart Format (RHEL/CentOS/Rocky)¶

Kickstart files automate Red Hat-based installations:

# System authorization
auth --enableshadow --passalgo=sha512

# Installation source
url --url="http://mirror.example.com/centos/9-stream/BaseOS/x86_64/os/"

# Disk partitioning
clearpart --all --initlabel
autopart --type=lvm

# Network
network --bootproto=dhcp --device=eth0 --onboot=on

# Root password (encrypted)
rootpw --iscrypted $6$rounds=656000$...

# Timezone
timezone America/New_York --utc

# Packages
%packages
@^minimal-environment
open-vm-tools
curl
%end

# Post-installation
%post
# Install Morpheus Agent
curl -k https://<%=morpheus.applianceUrl%>/api/server-script/agentInstall?type=centos | bash
%end

Preseed Format (Debian/Ubuntu)¶

Preseed files automate Debian-based installations:

# Locale and keyboard
d-i debian-installer/locale string en_US.UTF-8
d-i keyboard-configuration/xkb-keymap select us

# Network
d-i netcfg/choose_interface select auto
d-i netcfg/get_hostname string unassigned-hostname

# Mirror
d-i mirror/country string manual
d-i mirror/http/hostname string archive.ubuntu.com
d-i mirror/http/directory string /ubuntu

# Partitioning
d-i partman-auto/method string lvm
d-i partman-auto/choose_recipe select atomic
d-i partman/confirm_write_new_label boolean true
d-i partman/confirm boolean true

# User account
d-i passwd/root-login boolean true
d-i passwd/root-password-crypted password $6$rounds=656000$...

# Packages
tasksel tasksel/first multiselect standard
d-i pkgsel/include string openssh-server open-vm-tools curl

# Post-install
d-i preseed/late_command string \
  in-target curl -k https://<%=morpheus.applianceUrl%>/api/server-script/agentInstall?type=ubuntu | in-target bash

# Finish
d-i finish-install/reboot_in_progress note

Using Morpheus Variables¶

Preseed and Kickstart scripts support HPE Morpheus Software variable injection:

# Reference Morpheus appliance URL
<%=morpheus.applianceUrl%>

# Reference PXE root password from settings
rootpw --iscrypted <%=morpheus.pxeRootPassword%>

# Reference custom variables
<%=customOptions.myVar%>

Variables are resolved at serve-time when the installing system requests the preseed file.

Editing a Preseed Script¶

1. Navigate to |TooPre|

2. Click the pencil icon on the script row

3. Modify the content or metadata

4. Click SAVE

Deleting a Preseed Script¶

1. Navigate to |TooPre|

2. Click the trash icon on the script row

3. Confirm deletion

Integration with Boot Process¶

Preseed scripts are referenced from Boot Scripts in the kernel parameters:

Kickstart:

imgargs vmlinuz inst.ks=http://${morpheus-appliance}/preseed/centos9-ks.cfg

Preseed:

imgargs vmlinuz auto=true url=http://${morpheus-appliance}/preseed/ubuntu-22.04.seed

The workflow is:

1. Boot script loads kernel and initrd

2. Kernel parameters point to the preseed/kickstart URL on HPE Morpheus Software

3. The installer downloads and processes the preseed/kickstart file

4. Installation proceeds unattended with the configured answers

API¶

Preseed scripts can be managed via the HPE Morpheus Software API:

# List preseed scripts
curl "$MORPHEUS_API_URL/api/preseed-scripts" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MORPHEUS_API_TOKEN"

# Create a preseed script
curl -X POST "$MORPHEUS_API_URL/api/preseed-scripts" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MORPHEUS_API_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "preseedScript": {
      "fileName": "ubuntu-22.04.seed",
      "description": "Ubuntu 22.04 preseed for production",
      "content": "d-i debian-installer/locale string en_US.UTF-8\n..."
    }
  }'