View source for Build Machine for Amahi Express

{{WorkInProgress}}
'''Please Note:''' 
*Since this article is a "work in progress", information in this article will be fluid for sometime, your patience will be appreciated. The author has never been down this path before.
* Any advice or suggestions you may have please post to the '''[https://forums.amahi.org/viewforum.php?f=44 Amahi Wiki "Express Disc" Forum]'''. 
* The "Category" link, "Amahi Express Collection", at the bottom of this page provides links to other reference information relating to the "Amahi Express" subject area.
----
This article contains specifications, construction steps, and implementation information for a "build machine" for the "Amahi Express Installation Disc". The intent of the machine is to aid in the development and building of new Amahi Express Installation disc images.
__TOC__
=== Recommended Configuration ===

* Latest full version of the Fedora ( this article will reference Fedora 18 ) DVD.
* As modern of a computer as possible ( machine for this article used: Intel Core 2 Duo @ 3.0 GHz, 4GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Disk ).
* External storage facility ( i.e. external USB drive (1 TB?), Amahi share, Amahi ownCloud directory) with storage greater that the size of the build machine.
* Backup software ( author used CloneZilla Livd CD with 1TB external drive) to store last working build machine image.
* Lots of patience, a meticulous nature, know how to consult "Dr. Google" (a lot).

=== Fedora Installation ===
When installing Fedora it will be assumed that a "Desktop installation" path will be performed. Following are recommendations to be considered during the installation process.

* During the installation select the GNOME GUI environment, at some point it will be required in the disc build process.
* Highly recommend installing some GNOME extensions ([https://extensions.gnome.org/ GNOME Extensions]) in order to provide a "classic windowing" environment.
* The Fedora "Anaconda Installer" has changed completely since Fedora 14. A "Hub and "Spoke" node model is used for it now instead of a "wizard-like" install. Please make sure all nodes (i.e. network config.) are properly configured before proceeding with the installation.
* Here is a disk partitioning plan to consider:
  '''/boot partition:''' "standard partition"(no LVM), ext3 format, size 250 MB ( Fedora recommendation).
  ''' swap partition:''' "standard swap (no LVM)", swap format, size 2 times existing system RAM ( i.e. 2 x 4GB = 8GB ).
  '''/(root partition):''' LVM partition, ext4 format, size set to the remaining space for the hard drive(s).
* Ensure that Fedora updates are done after the DVD installation.

=== Local Fedora Repositories ===

In order to reduce the amount of software packages that might have to be downloaded during a disc build process, local Fedora "base" and "updates" repositories should be used. These local repositories (repos) have an added advantage as the build machine can receive its' software updates ( i.e. yum -y update ) from them.

The repos in this example will be stored in the "/opt" directory. What is this directory normally used for? I am so glad you asked. 

 According the the "Filesystem Hierarchy Standard" (FHS) definition:
 
 ''"The root directory for Software Collections is normally located in the "/opt/ directory" to avoid possible''
 '' conflicts between Software Collections and the base system installation."''
 
  It is recommended to have the file system hierarchy conform to the following layout: 
 
   /opt/'''provider'''/'''application-version'''/
   '''where:''' - "provider" is the provider (vendor) name registered with the Linux Foundation.
          - application-version indicates the software collection version. This can be done via one name
            or an ordered organization of subdirectories. 

==== Construct the Repositories ====

==== Test the Repositories ====

==== Refreshing a Repository ====


<br>
----
<!--Category References follow-->
[[Category:Amahi Express Collection]]