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Testing netinstall, but use stable release?

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  Testing netinstall, but use stable release? Rory Campbell-Lange <rory@campbell-lange.net> - 2019-05-08 20:10 +0200
    Re: Testing netinstall, but use stable release? Andy Smith <andy@strugglers.net> - 2019-05-08 20:40 +0200
      Re: Testing netinstall, but use stable release? Rory Campbell-Lange <rory@campbell-lange.net> - 2019-05-08 22:50 +0200
        Re: Testing netinstall, but use stable release? Rory Campbell-Lange <rory@campbell-lange.net> - 2019-05-08 23:20 +0200
          Re: Testing netinstall, but use stable release? Brian <ad44@cityscape.co.uk> - 2019-05-09 00:20 +0200
            Re: Testing netinstall, but use stable release? Rory Campbell-Lange <rory@campbell-lange.net> - 2019-05-09 08:40 +0200
              Re: Testing netinstall, but use stable release? Brian <ad44@cityscape.co.uk> - 2019-05-09 14:20 +0200
        Re: Testing netinstall, but use stable release? didier gaumet <didier.gaumet@gmail.com> - 2019-05-09 08:50 +0200
          Re: Testing netinstall, but use stable release? Rory Campbell-Lange <rory@campbell-lange.net> - 2019-05-11 11:50 +0200
    Re: Testing netinstall, but use stable release? David Christensen <dpchrist@holgerdanske.com> - 2019-05-08 21:50 +0200
      Re: Testing netinstall, but use stable release? Rory Campbell-Lange <rory@campbell-lange.net> - 2019-05-09 08:40 +0200
        Re: Testing netinstall, but use stable release? David Christensen <dpchrist@holgerdanske.com> - 2019-05-10 05:30 +0200
        Re: Testing netinstall, but use stable release? Rory Campbell-Lange <rory@campbell-lange.net> - 2019-05-11 12:00 +0200

#208415 — Testing netinstall, but use stable release?

I'm setting up some servers with A2SDi-8C-HLN4F motherboards with Intel
x553 cards that require the ixgbe kernel module.

The latest stable netinstall image allows one to load the ixgbe module
but the network interfaces aren't seen. However, the latest testing
netinstall sees the network interfaces fine.

Is there a clever way of downgrading the installation to stable while
keeping the testing kernel and associated ixgbe module?

Rory

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#208420

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Hi Rory,

On Wed, May 08, 2019 at 06:32:43PM +0100, Rory Campbell-Lange wrote:
> Is there a clever way of downgrading the installation to stable while
> keeping the testing kernel and associated ixgbe module?

If you run the daily netinst in expert mode doesn't it let you
pick the release you want to install?

https://wiki.debian.org/DebianInstaller/FAQ#Q:_How_can_I_install_sid_.28unstable.29_with_DebianInstaller.3F

    Start the installation in expert mode. After selecting a mirror
    you will be asked which distribution to install: stable, testing
    or unstable. We recommend using a daily build of the installer
    to install testing or unstable. 

However, I think while this might run the netinst with a kernel and
ixgbe module that works for you, it may install a kernel and module
from stable, which apparently does not. So you may need to find a
way to get the right kernel+module on there before you do the final
reboot into your new install.

Cheers,
Andy

-- 
https://bitfolk.com/ -- No-nonsense VPS hosting

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#208432

Hi Andy

On 08/05/19, Andy Smith (andy@strugglers.net) wrote:
> On Wed, May 08, 2019 at 06:32:43PM +0100, Rory Campbell-Lange wrote:
> > Is there a clever way of downgrading the installation to stable while
> > keeping the testing kernel and associated ixgbe module?
> 
> If you run the daily netinst in expert mode doesn't it let you
> pick the release you want to install?
> 
> https://wiki.debian.org/DebianInstaller/FAQ#Q:_How_can_I_install_sid_.28unstable.29_with_DebianInstaller.3F
> 
>     Start the installation in expert mode. After selecting a mirror
>     you will be asked which distribution to install: stable, testing
>     or unstable. We recommend using a daily build of the installer
>     to install testing or unstable. 

Thanks for the great info. I thought I recalled something like that.

I downloaded debian-testing-amd64-netinst.iso on 29 April but having
just tested this I'm not getting a choice of distribution. I'm in expert
mode (console) -- perhaps I'll try again on the graphical version.

> However, I think while this might run the netinst with a kernel and
> ixgbe module that works for you, it may install a kernel and module
> from stable, which apparently does not. So you may need to find a
> way to get the right kernel+module on there before you do the final
> reboot into your new install.

Good point. I'll see if I can switch to another console and do some
quick tweaking of the source listings and apt-pinning. At least I'll
have a build environment with which to compile the ixgbe modules, if the
worst comes to the worst.

Thanks for your comments.
Rory

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#208433

On 08/05/19, Rory Campbell-Lange (rory@campbell-lange.net) wrote:
> On 08/05/19, Andy Smith (andy@strugglers.net) wrote:
> > On Wed, May 08, 2019 at 06:32:43PM +0100, Rory Campbell-Lange wrote:
> > > Is there a clever way of downgrading the installation to stable while
> > > keeping the testing kernel and associated ixgbe module?
> > 
> > If you run the daily netinst in expert mode doesn't it let you
> > pick the release you want to install?
> > 
> > https://wiki.debian.org/DebianInstaller/FAQ#Q:_How_can_I_install_sid_.28unstable.29_with_DebianInstaller.3F
> > 
> >     Start the installation in expert mode. After selecting a mirror
> >     you will be asked which distribution to install: stable, testing
> >     or unstable. We recommend using a daily build of the installer
> >     to install testing or unstable. 
> 
> Thanks for the great info. I thought I recalled something like that.
> 
> I downloaded debian-testing-amd64-netinst.iso on 29 April but having
> just tested this I'm not getting a choice of distribution. I'm in expert
> mode (console) -- perhaps I'll try again on the graphical version.

I've just tried to install via graphical mode too and my 20190429
"Buster" netinstall disk has also has skipped the distribution choice
step using this method.

Is this something I should report? Thoughts gratefully received.

Rory

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#208435

On Wed 08 May 2019 at 22:12:41 +0100, Rory Campbell-Lange wrote:

> On 08/05/19, Rory Campbell-Lange (rory@campbell-lange.net) wrote:
> > On 08/05/19, Andy Smith (andy@strugglers.net) wrote:
> > > On Wed, May 08, 2019 at 06:32:43PM +0100, Rory Campbell-Lange wrote:
> > > > Is there a clever way of downgrading the installation to stable while
> > > > keeping the testing kernel and associated ixgbe module?
> > > 
> > > If you run the daily netinst in expert mode doesn't it let you
> > > pick the release you want to install?
> > > 
> > > https://wiki.debian.org/DebianInstaller/FAQ#Q:_How_can_I_install_sid_.28unstable.29_with_DebianInstaller.3F
> > > 
> > >     Start the installation in expert mode. After selecting a mirror
> > >     you will be asked which distribution to install: stable, testing
> > >     or unstable. We recommend using a daily build of the installer
> > >     to install testing or unstable. 
> > 
> > Thanks for the great info. I thought I recalled something like that.
> > 
> > I downloaded debian-testing-amd64-netinst.iso on 29 April but having
> > just tested this I'm not getting a choice of distribution. I'm in expert
> > mode (console) -- perhaps I'll try again on the graphical version.
> 
> I've just tried to install via graphical mode too and my 20190429
> "Buster" netinstall disk has also has skipped the distribution choice
> step using this method.
> 
> Is this something I should report? Thoughts gratefully received.

Not unless you intend to report your failure to read and understand the
sentence prior to the section from the link quoted above.

  > Please use the netboot installation method.

-- 
Brian.

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#208442

On 08/05/19, Brian (ad44@cityscape.co.uk) wrote:
> On Wed 08 May 2019 at 22:12:41 +0100, Rory Campbell-Lange wrote:
> 
> > On 08/05/19, Rory Campbell-Lange (rory@campbell-lange.net) wrote:
> > > On 08/05/19, Andy Smith (andy@strugglers.net) wrote:
> > > > On Wed, May 08, 2019 at 06:32:43PM +0100, Rory Campbell-Lange wrote:
> > > > > Is there a clever way of downgrading the installation to stable while
> > > > > keeping the testing kernel and associated ixgbe module?
...
> > > I downloaded debian-testing-amd64-netinst.iso on 29 April but having
> > > just tested this I'm not getting a choice of distribution. I'm in expert
> > > mode (console) -- perhaps I'll try again on the graphical version.
> > 
> > I've just tried to install via graphical mode too and my 20190429
> > "Buster" netinstall disk has also has skipped the distribution choice
> > step using this method.
> > 
> > Is this something I should report? Thoughts gratefully received.
> 
> Not unless you intend to report your failure to read and understand the
> sentence prior to the section from the link quoted above.
> 
>   > Please use the netboot installation method.

Thanks for your advice, Brian.

Are you referring to "It is not possible to install sid from a netinst
or full CD. Please use the netboot installation method". I certainly
missed that. My apologies.

Setting up a tftp server in a remote data centre rack is something I'd
like to avoid, but I certainly can if the ability to downgrade the
installation is unique to the netboot method.

Thanks again,
Rory

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#208460

On Thu 09 May 2019 at 07:29:49 +0100, Rory Campbell-Lange wrote:

> Thanks for your advice, Brian.
> 
> Are you referring to "It is not possible to install sid from a netinst
> or full CD. Please use the netboot installation method". I certainly
> missed that. My apologies.

No need to apologise; I didn't want you haring off on a route which
led you nowhere. That particualar FAQ has now been been adjusted to
make the answer clearer (hopefully).

> Setting up a tftp server in a remote data centre rack is something I'd
> like to avoid, but I certainly can if the ability to downgrade the
> installation is unique to the netboot method.

I do not think this is a way forward for you.

-- 
Brian.

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#208443

Le 08/05/2019 à 22:47, Rory Campbell-Lange a écrit :
[..]
> I downloaded debian-testing-amd64-netinst.iso on 29 April but having
> just tested this I'm not getting a choice of distribution. I'm in expert
> mode (console) -- perhaps I'll try again on the graphical version.
[..]

Hello Rory,

being in text mode (DEBIAN_FRONTEND=text) does not imply you are in
expert mode (priority=low)

look at: https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/amd64/ch05s03.html.en

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#208561

On 09/05/19, didier gaumet (didier.gaumet@gmail.com) wrote:
> Le 08/05/2019 à 22:47, Rory Campbell-Lange a écrit :
> [..]
> > I downloaded debian-testing-amd64-netinst.iso on 29 April but having
> > just tested this I'm not getting a choice of distribution. I'm in expert
> > mode (console) -- perhaps I'll try again on the graphical version.
> [..]
> 
> Hello Rory,
> 
> being in text mode (DEBIAN_FRONTEND=text) does not imply you are in
> expert mode (priority=low)
> 
> look at: https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/amd64/ch05s03.html.en

Thanks for the pointers, Didier. I wasn't aware of those options.

I simply chose the "Expert install" option (either console or GUI based)
from the installer menu.

Many thanks
Rory

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#208430

On 5/8/19 10:32 AM, Rory Campbell-Lange wrote:
> I'm setting up some servers with A2SDi-8C-HLN4F motherboards with Intel
> x553 cards that require the ixgbe kernel module.
> 
> The latest stable netinstall image allows one to load the ixgbe module
> but the network interfaces aren't seen. However, the latest testing
> netinstall sees the network interfaces fine.
> 
> Is there a clever way of downgrading the installation to stable while
> keeping the testing kernel and associated ixgbe module?

It looks like Buster uses kernel 4.19.0:

https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=kernel&searchon=all&suite=testing&section=all


It looks like this kernel is available as a backport for Stretch:

https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=kernel&searchon=all&section=all&suite=stretch-backports


Assuming the ixgbe driver is bundled with kernel packages, I would try 
doing a Stretch install and then installing the backported kernel.


David

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#208441

Hi David

On 08/05/19, David Christensen (dpchrist@holgerdanske.com) wrote:
> On 5/8/19 10:32 AM, Rory Campbell-Lange wrote:
> > I'm setting up some servers with A2SDi-8C-HLN4F motherboards with Intel
> > x553 cards that require the ixgbe kernel module.
> > 
> > The latest stable netinstall image allows one to load the ixgbe module
> > but the network interfaces aren't seen. However, the latest testing
> > netinstall sees the network interfaces fine.
> > 
> > Is there a clever way of downgrading the installation to stable while
> > keeping the testing kernel and associated ixgbe module?
> 
> It looks like Buster uses kernel 4.19.0:
> 
> https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=kernel&searchon=all&suite=testing&section=all
> 
> 
> It looks like this kernel is available as a backport for Stretch:
> 
> https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=kernel&searchon=all&section=all&suite=stretch-backports
> 
> 
> Assuming the ixgbe driver is bundled with kernel packages, I would try doing
> a Stretch install and then installing the backported kernel.

Thanks very much for that information. The links with search parameters
are particularly helpful. I can confirm that the Buster kernel (at
least, in the latest testing netinstall images) has a working ixgbe
module.

I have something of a chicken-and-egg situation installing a back-ported
kernel as I can't get the machine (which is in a remote data centre)
onto the network under the stable netinstall.

Is it theoretically possible to add another kernel and dependencies to a
stable netinstall iso image? I've already constructed a custom ISO for
console redirection.

Many thanks for your advice
Rory

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#208493

On 5/8/19 11:39 PM, Rory Campbell-Lange wrote:
> Hi David

Hi Rory.  :-)


> On 08/05/19, David Christensen (dpchrist@holgerdanske.com) wrote:
>> On 5/8/19 10:32 AM, Rory Campbell-Lange wrote:
>>> I'm setting up some servers with A2SDi-8C-HLN4F motherboards with Intel
>>> x553 cards that require the ixgbe kernel module.
>>>
>>> The latest stable netinstall image allows one to load the ixgbe module
>>> but the network interfaces aren't seen. However, the latest testing
>>> netinstall sees the network interfaces fine.
>>>
>>> Is there a clever way of downgrading the installation to stable while
>>> keeping the testing kernel and associated ixgbe module?
>>
>> It looks like Buster uses kernel 4.19.0:
>>
>> https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=kernel&searchon=all&suite=testing&section=all
>>
>>
>> It looks like this kernel is available as a backport for Stretch:
>>
>> https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=kernel&searchon=all&section=all&suite=stretch-backports
>>
>>
>> Assuming the ixgbe driver is bundled with kernel packages, I would try doing
>> a Stretch install and then installing the backported kernel.
> 
> Thanks very much for that information. The links with search parameters
> are particularly helpful. I can confirm that the Buster kernel (at
> least, in the latest testing netinstall images) has a working ixgbe
> module.
> 
> I have something of a chicken-and-egg situation installing a back-ported
> kernel as I can't get the machine (which is in a remote data centre)
> onto the network under the stable netinstall.
> 
> Is it theoretically possible to add another kernel and dependencies to a
> stable netinstall iso image? I've already constructed a custom ISO for
> console redirection.

Does the machine have any other network interfaces (such as on the 
motherboard) that are supported OOTB by the Stretch installers?

If not, can you add a supported NIC; such as an Intel Gigabit desktop 
adapter?

David

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#208562

On 09/05/19, Rory Campbell-Lange (rory@campbell-lange.net) wrote:
> Hi David
> 
> On 08/05/19, David Christensen (dpchrist@holgerdanske.com) wrote:
> > On 5/8/19 10:32 AM, Rory Campbell-Lange wrote:
> > > I'm setting up some servers with A2SDi-8C-HLN4F motherboards with Intel
> > > x553 cards that require the ixgbe kernel module.
> > > 
> > > The latest stable netinstall image allows one to load the ixgbe module
> > > but the network interfaces aren't seen. However, the latest testing
> > > netinstall sees the network interfaces fine.
> > > 
> > > Is there a clever way of downgrading the installation to stable while
> > > keeping the testing kernel and associated ixgbe module?
> > 
> > It looks like Buster uses kernel 4.19.0:
> > 
> > https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=kernel&searchon=all&suite=testing&section=all
> > 
> > 
> > It looks like this kernel is available as a backport for Stretch:
> > 
> > https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=kernel&searchon=all&section=all&suite=stretch-backports
> > 
> > Assuming the ixgbe driver is bundled with kernel packages, I would try doing
> > a Stretch install and then installing the backported kernel.

This is a report-back in case anyone finds this thread suffering from
the same problem with Intel x553 which require recent ixgbe kernel
modules, wishing to install Debian stable.

Based on David's and Andy's advice (thank you both), I did the following:

* installed from testing netboot
* using expert mode to move to the 'stable' distribution
* choosing to add backports to the package list
* rebooting at the end of the install process into rescue mode
* installing the 4.19.0-0.bpo.4-amd64 from backports after mounting /,
  /boot and /boot/efi and re-running grub-install
  (I expect I could have done this without rebooting into rescue mode
   if I understood how to use apt-get during the installation process).

My complete setup was:

[/srv/tftp-testing]
cd /srv
mkdir tftp-testing
cd tftp-testing
wget http://ftp.debian.org/debian/dists/testing/main/installer-amd64/current/images/netboot/netboot.tar.gz
tar xzvf netboot.tar.gz
# not sure why this was necessary
ln -s ./debian-installer/amd64/bootnetx64.efi ./
cp -Rp ./debian-installer/amd64/grub ./
cd ../
chown -R nobody tftp-testing

[dnsmasq]
port=0
interface=eth4
dhcp-range=192.168.1.66,192.168.1.70,1h
# pxe-service=x86PC, "Install Linux", pxelinux
pxe-service=X86-64_EFI, "Install Linux bootnet", bootnetx64.efi
enable-tftp
tftp-root=/srv/tftp-testing/
log-queries
log-dhcp

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