makedhcp_append_statement_automatically_rather_than_get_statement_from_nodeset

Note: this is an xCAT design document, not an xCAT user document. If you are an xCAT user, you are welcome to glean information from this design, but be aware that it may not have complete or up to date procedures.

Background

The command 'makedhcp -a' or 'makedhcp node' can be used to define nodes into DHCP server. It will be run when installing xCAT, or manually by system admin. 
There are 4 modules that will call "makedhcp -s <statement>" within "nodeset" to write <statement> into dhcp lease file. 
The issue is, if run "makedhcp -a" or "makedhcp node" after "nodeset" , the useful <statement> info will be deleted. Pls reference https://sourceforge.net/p/xcat/bugs/4622/ for more information. </statement></statement></statement>

Overview

In order to resolve the issue mentioned above, the idea is to write <statement> in "makedhcp -a" or "makedhcp node" (in addnode subroutine in fact) based on node netboot attribute.</statement>

Design details

The modules and the <statement> that they write into dhcp lease file are as belows:</statement>

• petitboot.pm
  The statement: option conf-file "http://$mn_ip/tftpboot/petitboot/$node";

* nimol.pm
The statement: supersede server.filename = "/$vios-distroname/nodes/viobootimg-$nodename";

• grub2.pm

  • The statement when doing os provisioning: filename="/boot/grub2/grub2.ppc";
      * The statement after reboot: filename = "xcat/nonexistant_file_to_intentionally_break_netboot_for_localboot_to_work";

• yaboot.pm
    * The statement when doing os provisioning: filename="/yb/$osvers/yaboot";
    * The statement after reboot: filename = "xcat/nonexistant_file_to_intentionally_break_netboot_for_localboot_to_work";

In order to provide a easy fix, the following will be done:

• For nimol.pm
    * the statement filename will be "/vios/nodes/$node"
    * when 'nodeset', link /tftpboot/vios/nodes/$node to the specified vios-bootimage-file

• For yaboot.pm
    * the statement filename will be "/yb/node/yaboot-$nodename"
    * when 'nodeset', link /tftpboot/yb/$osvers/yaboot to the specified statement file.
    * when 'updateflag', remove /tftpboot/yb/node/yaboot-$nodename

• For grub2.pm
    * the statement filename will be "/boot/grub2/grub2-$nodename.ppc"
    * when 'nodeset', link /tftpboot/boot/grub2/grub2.ppc to the specified statement file.
    * when 'updateflag', remove /tftpboot/boot/grub2/grub2-$nodename.ppc

• For petitboot.pm
    * write the statement filename "http://$mn_ip/tftpboot/petitboot/$node"

With the fix above, run "makedhcp -a" or "makedhcp node" before "nodeset", "nodeset" won't need to call 'makedhcp' internally anymore.

Other Design Considerations

• Required reviewers:
• Required approvers: Guang Cheng
• Database schema changes: N/A
• Affect on other components: N/A
• External interface changes, documentation, and usability issues: N/A
• Packaging, installation, dependencies: N/A
• Portability and platforms (HW/SW) supported: N/A
• Performance and scaling considerations: N/A
• Migration and coexistence: N/A
• Serviceability: N/A
• Security: N/A
• NLS and accessibility: N/A
• Invention protection: N/A