On XEN Server, GUI Install of CentOS/RedHat in Order to Customize Partitions

GUI Installation of Centos/redhat Linux on XEN Server

Summary

This article describes how to access to Graphical User Interface (GUI) installation of CentOS/RedHat in order to customize partitions, add repositories, and add packages.

Requirements

Access to XenServer





Access to XenCenter





Network connection and a Virtual Network Computing (VNC) viewer

Background

The standard Citrix Virtual Machine template does not allow a GUI install and the customers cannot customize their environment.

Procedure

To access the GUI install, complete the following procedure:

Open XenCenter > New VM > Template and select your template.

Enter the VM name.





Choose the installation media. Note that here we choose install from URL option. You can go to your preferred distribution mirror:

The CentOS mirror list URL is: http://www.centos.org/modules/tinycontent/index.php?id=30.





An example of the install URL is: http://www.gtlib.gatech.edu/pub/centos/6.2





If you need a previous version of CentOS goto: http://vault.centos.org/

In the Advanced OS boot parameters we have inserted the word text:

Install URL:  http://192.168.200.55/x86_64/  (we can use local web server for URL)

Select the home server, cpu/memory, storage, and networking fields.





Choose language.





Configure your IP as either DHCP or static.

XenCenter retrieves the install image from the specified URL.

Start VNC prompt is displayed for customizing GUI install. You must have a VNC viewer to continue. Select Start VNC.

 9. After entering the supplied IP address (<example 10.10.10.10:1>) you can see the GUI install screen.