4.1 Image Building Overview
The following packages provide general product information and the Novell Linux Point of Service image building tools:
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POS_Image contains the README.Packages file, which describes the package structure of the client image files.
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POS_Image-Builder provides the standard (scr) and XML (xscr) ImageBuilder utilities.
ImageBuilder is a Perl-based tool that lets you create customized images. The necessary image building components are installed when you select the NLPOS Admin Server Image Building System in the Novell Linux Point of Server Administration Server installation.
ImageBuilder comes in two versions: scr and xscr.
- scr builds images using the Image Description Tree and the AdminServer.conf file. The Image Description Tree and AdminServer.conf file contain files and directories that define the structure, scripts, configuration files, and other components required to build client images for Point of Service systems. scr generates client images with Novell Linux Desktop (NLD). For more information, see Section 8.0, Building Images with the scr ImageBuilder Tool.
- xscr builds images using the Image Description Tree, an Image Specification Document (ImageSpecification.xml), and a Distribution Source Document (Distribution.xml). The Image Specification and Distribution Source Documents contain XML elements that define the structure, configuration files, and other components required to build client images for Point of Service systems. xscr can generate client images with either NLD or SUSE® Linux Enterprise Server (SLES). For more information, see Section 9.0, Building Images with the xscr ImageBuilder Tool.
When it builds an image, ImageBuilder compiles all the information required to run a Point of Service terminal—the operating system, application files, configuration settings, drivers, and so forth—into a single image file. This file can then be electronically distributed to Point of Service terminals over the network, or an ISO version of the image file can be burned to a CD for manual distribution, as shown in Figure 4-1.
Figure 4-1 Client image creation and distribution process
To build the image file, ImageBuilder requires the following information:
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RPM Packages are the operating system and application files that are installed on the Point of Service terminals, including packages from SLES, Novell Linux Point of Service, NLD, Service Packs and add-on packages.
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Setup Files include the system setup files, Branch Server setup files, and setup files for custom extensions to the image.
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Configuration Settings define the following parameters:
- Image Size
- Image Name
- Time Zone Information
- Driver Information (network and hardware)
- Key Table Map
- Image Type (ext3, ext2, or reiser).
- Machine Type (the machine hardware, necessary driver modules, and additional scripts)
After the image is created, it can be distributed as a CDBoot image for local installations on Point of Service terminals, or it can be distributed over the network, in which case the images are stored on the Administration Server under the /opt/SLES/POS/rsync/ directory and are transmitted over the RSYNC server service to Branch Servers where, in turn, they can be transmitted to Point of Service terminals at boot time.