18.3.5. Automating the Installation with Kickstart
You can allow an installation to run unattended by using Kickstart. A Kickstart file specifies settings for an installation. Once the installation system boots, it can read a Kickstart file and carry out the installation process without any further input from a user.
On System z, this also requires a parameter file (optionally an additional configuration file under z/VM). This parameter file must contain the required network options described in Section 26.3, “Installation Network Parameters” and specify a kickstart file using the
ks=
option. The kickstart file typically resides on the network. The parameter file often also contains the options cmdline
and RUNKS=1
to execute the loader without having to log in over the network with SSH (Refer to Section 26.6, “Parameters for Kickstart Installations”).
For further information and details on how to set up a kickstart file, refer to Section 32.3, “Creating the Kickstart File”.
18.3.5.1. Every Installation Produces a Kickstart File
The Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation process automatically writes a Kickstart file that contains the settings for the installed system. This file is always saved as
/root/anaconda-ks.cfg
. You may use this file to repeat the installation with identical settings, or modify copies to specify settings for other systems.