Preparing vagrant VM template

The following section describes how to prepare VM template from scratch, e.g. to be used as base vagrant box or as a base VM template. It's not needed to perform these steps when installing any products, however, might be usefull to maintain version of base OS.

Scientific Linux 7

Download ISO

As a base for most VM templates, Scientific Linux is used. Download the latest version from http://ftp1.scientificlinux.org/linux/scientific/7x/x86_64/iso/

recommended is Network installation ISO - SL-*-netinst.iso

Install minimal system

In installation packages - select Minimal system.

Define root and vagrant user

Set root password (vagrant) and create new user (vagrant:vagrant)

Post-installation script

In Virtualbox - Insert VBoxGuest Additions Devices -> Insert Guest Additions CD image ....

Log-in as root, and execute one of the following script:

1. for non-GUI environment: bash <(curl -L https://bit.ly/2xDpLwR)

2. for GUI environment: bash <(curl -L http://bit.ly/2GfrE7z)

Reset, check if everything works, if new kernel was installed - then manually uninstall old kernel

uname -a
# outputs which kernel is loaded
rpm -q kernel
# outputs which kernel is installed
yum remove kernel-...
# uninstalls unused kernel
bash <(curl -L ....)
#repeat post-install script 1. for non-GUI or 2. GUI

Create box

Stop virtualbox, remove unused IDE, sound card, change video memory etc.

Launch vagrant script to package box. Expecting the virtual machine name is my-sl7-virtualmachine

vagrant package --output sl7mini.box --base my-sl7-virtualmachine

Explanation:

• package instruct vagrant to get virtual machine from virtual box and package it into separate file

• --output sl7mini.box writes the result to file named as sl7mini.box

• --base my-sl7-install takes VirtualBox virtual machine named my-sl7-virtualmachine

CernVM 4

Download CernVM4 image https://cernvm.cern.ch/portal/downloads for vagrant.