HowTo: set system HOST name in kickstart

[daytooner]

I am building a kickstart file. But I can't find anywhere how to set the $HOST variable name.

The GUI install prompts for a host name, then uses that for several things, including naming various LVMs (vg_<host>_root, etc). So is there a way to set this in the kickstart file? Or do I need to manually name everything?

I could write out a file like /etc/sysconfig/network in a %pre script, %include that file in, and set a variable that way (and then in a %post script write out the fhat file to the chroot'd environment). But I was wondering if there was a simpler built in way to do that. (I do know how to read a vaiable from the kernel boot line in the %pre script).

TIA

ken

[sea]

I learn much about customizing my own KS while looking at the one's Anaconda is generating after each and every OS installation.
Have a look at /root/anaconda-ks.cfg

Hope this helps

EDIT:
As i had forgotten to name my machines during the last installations, idk if you find anything usefull.
Good luck

[DBelton]

hostname is set in your kickstart file on the network line using the --hostname parameter..

For example:

network --onboot yes --device p33p1 --noipv6 --nameserver 192.168.1.254 --hostname tower20.home

[daytooner]

hostname is set in your kickstart file on the network line using the --hostname parameter..

For example:

network --onboot yes --device p33p1 --noipv6 --nameserver 192.168.1.254 --hostname tower20.home

I kind of assumed that. But just a couple of clarifications: does this set the $HOSTNAME variable within the kickstart script? Put another way, how do I use that name (tower20.home) in your example) to set logvol names (vg_tower20.home_root, etc). Also, will kickstart put this value into /etc/syconfig/network, or will I need to do this in a %post script.

(FWIW: I am planning on using this script for multiple installs, with only the host name changed. That would be set in the default pxeboot
Anyways, thanks for this info. It is a good start, and since this first install is a fresh, test one, I guess I can play around a bit.

ken

[DBelton]

I have never really tried doing what you are wanting, so I really don't know for certain if it sets the $HOSTNAME variable or not.

I did run across something in my notes from awhile back about getting the hostname in the %pre section, though. It asks for the hostname in a virtual console and set up the network (/etc/sysconfig/network) file.

%pre
chvt 6

## Query for hostname, then write it to 'network' file
read -p "

What is my hostname?

" NAME /dev/tty6 2>&1

echo "NETWORKING=yes
HOSTNAME=${NAME}" > network

chvt 1

And in the %post to actually write the file out:

%post --nochroot
# bring in hostname collected from %pre, then source it
cp network /mnt/sysimage/etc/sysconfig/network
. /mnt/sysimage/etc/sysconfig/network
# force hostname change
/mnt/sysimage/bin/hostname $HOSTNAME

# setup variables for use in /etc/hosts
LONG=`/mnt/sysimage/bin/hostname`
SHORT=`/mnt/sysimage/bin/hostname -s`
IP=`/mnt/sysimage/usr/bin/host ${SHORT} | awk {'print $4'}`
echo "${IP}\t\t${LONG} ${SHORT}" >> /mnt/sysimage/etc/hosts

[daytooner]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

There are some that have some nice suggestions for other uses that I need.

But the solution to this particular problem turns out to be really simple. As DBelton pointed out, the hostname is the network's hostname. So just add "--hostname=<whatever>" to the network line in your kickstart file.

This sets the computer's name, as well as the lv's that get generated (vg_<hostname>_lv_root, etc.). which is what I wanted.

Thanks to all.

ken