Adding new system to the cluster

Here we discuss issues of adding new computer to the CKM/IHEP linux cluster. General issues of Debian installation are discussed in well-documented Debian Installation manual . So we assume that you know how to install Debian and concentrate on issues specific to CKM/IHEP cluster. Though this information can be useful for anyone who is building linux cluster

1. Preparation of the system. Prepare the disk, and use network install from minimal CD . The list of packages that comes with the CD is very good starting point. Make sure your system is network connected . Now you can go home and work comfortably.
2. Define source of Debian packages You need to edit file /etc/apt/sources.list . I recommend to specify distribution name like woody rather than stable . This way you do not need to follow all stable versions of Debian unless you want to. Install good editor next:

    apt-get install joe 

3. Adjust time You need package ntpdate. Copy configuration file /etc/default/ntp-servers from central server. Install package ntpdate

   
     apt-get install ntpdate 

4. Install ssh-krb5 By default minimal CD comes with Open SSH without kerberos V support. Due to Fermilab computing policy we have to support Kerberos V. So first step is to wipe out ssh and install ssh-krb5

   
   dpkg --purge ssh
   apt-get install ssh-krb5

5. Tighten the security Copy files from the server in this order.

   
     scp /root/.ssh/id_rsa.pub  new_system:/root/.ssh/authorized_keys
     scp /root/.ssh/environment new_system:/root/.ssh/
     scp /etc/ssh/ssh_config    new_system:/etc/ssh/
     scp /etc/ssh/sshd_config   new_system:/etc/ssh/
     scp /etc/hosts.trusted     new_system:/etc/
     scp /etc/hosts.allow       new_system:/etc/
     scp /etc/hosts.deny        new_system:/etc/
     scp /etc/krb5.conf         new_system:/etc
   

   Now restart SSH daemon on new system.

    /etc/init.d/ssh-krb5 restart 

6. Install rest of the packages A set of pacakges is defined in file packages.general Install them:

   
       cat packages.general | dpkg --set-selections
       apt-get update
       apt-get dselect-upgrade
       dselect
     

7. Adjust environment A set of environment variables that is set by ALL shells is defined in /etc/envirionment file. It can vary from system to system. Copy shell startup files from server:

   
     scp /etc/profile    new_system:/etc/
     scp /etc/csh.cshrc  new_system:/etc/
     scp /etc/zprofile   new_system:/etc/
   

8. Define printers Copy file /etc/printcap from the server. Create necessary printer directoriies in /var/spool/lpd/ in accordance with sd field in /etc/printcap.
9. Organize disks Edit file /etc/fstab. They will differ from system to system.
10. Configure X Read about X11 setup Run xvidtune Edit file /etc/X11/XF86Config-4.
11. Compile kernel, sensors, AFS Follow usual steps to compile kernel , OpenAFS , lm-sensors .