container-create-debconf(1) Create an advanced Debian based container with debconf

SYNOPSIS

container create -s debconf [OPTIONS] container create -s debian [OPTIONS] container create -s progress-linux [OPTIONS]

DESCRIPTION

The debconf container creation script uses debconf(1) to automatically create a Debian based container.

SCOPE

Note that this container creation script can do a few things more than just automatically debootstrap based on a preseed file. It also allows you to set a root password, configure the network, install certain packages and execute hooks.

But: this is not a replacement for a configuration management system (like ansible, puppet, etc.). The intenion of this script is to create the initial container to that extend that a configuration managment system can take over.

As an analogy, think of debian-installer: d-i sets up your system to make it ready to boot and connect to the network. Everything after that is out of scope. Same goes for this script. (FIXME)

FUNCTIONS

This script performs the following configuration on top of a Debian based system:

• network

• root password

• apt repositories

• ...

MODES

This container creation script can be used under two different names: debian and progress-linux.

Alternative, calling it under the debconf name is equal to the debian mode.

INTERACTIVE/NONINTERACTIVE

FIXME

PRESEEDING

Hierarchy of Preseed Files

The debconf script can be fully preseeded. Such preseed files can include one or more preseed files themselfs (currently, only one layer of includes is supported, no nested or recursive includes).

The general rule of the later preseed file overwrites the earlier applies. The debconf script reads the main preseed file (specified either on command line or by debconf selection/input dialog) after any included preseed files in there.

That means that debconf values after the include statement in the main preseed file can overwrite any values specified in the included preseed files.

OPTIONS

The following script options are available:

-n, --name=NAME

Specify container name.

-p, --preseed-file=FILE

Specify the preseed file.

EXAMPLES

Create a Debian based container:

sudo container create -s debian -n jessie.example.net

Create a Progress Linux container:

sudo container create -s progress-linux -n cairon-backports.example.net

FILES

The following files are used:

/etc/container-tools/config

Container configuration files.

/usr/share/container-tools/scripts

Container creation scripts.

/usr/share/doc/container-tools

Container documentation.

/var/lib/machines

Container directory.

/var/cache/container-tools

Container cache directory.

/tmp/container-tools

Container temporary directory.

HOMEPAGE

More information about container-tools and the Open Infrastructure project can be found on the homepage at https://open-infrastructure.net.

BUGS

Bugs can be reported by sending a bug report to the Debian Bug Tracking System at https://bugs.debian.org.

AUTHORS

container-tools was written by Daniel Baumann <[email protected]>.