https://github.com/centminmod/centos7-vault-ipxe
centos7-vault-ipxe
https://github.com/centminmod/centos7-vault-ipxe
Last synced: 18 days ago
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centos7-vault-ipxe
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/centminmod/centos7-vault-ipxe
- Owner: centminmod
- Created: 2025-07-15T03:05:29.000Z (12 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-07-15T16:42:39.000Z (12 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-12-28T18:48:58.242Z (6 months ago)
- Size: 12.7 KB
- Stars: 1
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# CentOS 7 Vault iPXE Installation
Custom iPXE scripts for installing CentOS 7 from vault repositories when netboot.xyz no longer provides CentOS 7 support.
## 🎯 Purpose
- **Problem**: netboot.xyz removed CentOS 7 after EOL (June 2024)
- **Solution**: Direct iPXE scripts pointing to vault.centos.org
- **Use Case**: ELevate testing, legacy system evaluation, migration testing
## 📁 Repository Structure
```
centos7-vault-ipxe/
├── ipxe/
│ └── centos7-vault.ipxe # Main iPXE boot script
├── kickstarts/
│ ├── centos7-auto.ks # Automated installation
│ └── centos7-interactive.ks # Interactive installation
├── docs/
│ ├── troubleshooting.md # Common issues and solutions
│ └── advanced-usage.md # Advanced configuration options
└── README.md # This file
```
## 🚀 Quick Start
### 1. Vultr iPXE Installation
```bash
# Set your variables
VULTR_API_KEY="your-vultr-api-key-here"
curl -s "https://api.vultr.com/v2/ssh-keys" -X GET -H "Authorization: Bearer ${VULTR_API_KEY}" | jq -r
```
```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.vultr.com/v2/instances" \\
-H "Authorization: Bearer $VULTR_API_KEY" \\
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \\
-d '{
"region": "ewr",
"plan": "vhp-2c-4gb-amd",
"os_id": "159",
"sshkey_id": "'$SSHKEY_ID'",
"label": "centos7-vault-test",
"ipxe_chain_url": "https://centminmod.github.io/centos7-vault-ipxe/ipxe/centos7-vault.ipxe"
}'
```
### 2. Access Installation
- **Console**: Vultr console → Watch installation progress
- **SSH**: Available after installation completes
### 3. Login Credentials
**Automated Installation:**
- Root: `CentOS7Vault2024!`
- User: `testuser` / `CentOS7Vault2024!`
**Interactive Installation:**
- Credentials set during installation
## 📋 Installation Options
### Option A: Interactive Installation (Default)
- Uses iPXE script as-is
- Prompts for configuration during install
- Full control over setup process
- Recommended for learning/testing
### Option B: Automated Installation
1. Edit `ipxe/centos7-vault.ipxe`
2. Uncomment kickstart lines:
```bash
# set kickstart_url https://centminmod.github.io/centos7-vault-ipxe/kickstarts/centos7-auto.ks
# set ks_opts inst.ks=${kickstart_url}
```
3. Commit and push changes
4. Create VPS with updated iPXE URL
## 🔧 Post-Installation
### Verify Installation
```bash
# Check OS version
cat /etc/centos-release
# Verify vault repositories
yum repolist
# Check system status
systemctl status sshd
df -h
free -m
```
### Update System
```bash
# Update all packages
sudo yum clean all
sudo yum update -y
# Install additional packages
sudo yum install -y htop iotop lsof
```
## 🌐 URLs
- **iPXE Script**: https://centminmod.github.io/centos7-vault-ipxe/ipxe/centos7-vault.ipxe
- **Auto Kickstart**: https://centminmod.github.io/centos7-vault-ipxe/kickstarts/centos7-auto.ks
- **Interactive KS**: https://centminmod.github.io/centos7-vault-ipxe/kickstarts/centos7-interactive.ks
## ⚠️ Important Notes
### CentOS 7 End of Life
- **EOL Date**: June 30, 2024
- **No Security Updates**: System vulnerable to new threats
- **Testing Only**: Not suitable for production use
- **Migration Path**: Use for ELevate testing to modern OS
### Repository Configuration
All scripts automatically configure vault repositories:
```ini
[base]
baseurl=http://vault.centos.org/7.9.2009/os/x86_64/
[updates]
baseurl=http://vault.centos.org/7.9.2009/updates/x86_64/
[extras]
baseurl=http://vault.centos.org/7.9.2009/extras/x86_64/
```
## 🛠️ Troubleshooting
### Installation Fails to Start
1. **Check iPXE URL**: Verify GitHub Pages is active
2. **Test Network**: Ensure DHCP works in VPS
3. **Verify Console**: Use Vultr console for error messages
### Boot Loop or Kernel Panic
1. **Memory**: Ensure VPS has ≥1GB RAM
2. **Disk Space**: Verify ≥25GB available
3. **Hardware**: Some VPS types may have compatibility issues
### Network Issues
1. **DNS**: Script uses 8.8.8.8 for DNS
2. **Connectivity**: Test `ping vault.centos.org`
3. **Firewall**: Check VPS provider firewall rules
### Package Installation Fails
1. **Repository**: Verify vault.centos.org accessibility
2. **GPG Keys**: May need manual key import
3. **Network**: Check outbound HTTP/HTTPS access
## 📚 Additional Resources
- [CentOS Vault Archive](http://vault.centos.org/)
- [iPXE Documentation](https://ipxe.org/)
- [Kickstart Reference](https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/7/html/installation_guide/sect-kickstart-syntax)
- [ELevate Project](https://github.com/AlmaLinux/leapp-repository)
## 🤝 Contributing
1. Fork this repository
2. Create your feature branch
3. Test thoroughly on VPS
4. Submit pull request with detailed description
## 📄 License
This project is provided as-is for educational and testing purposes. CentOS 7 is EOL and should not be used in production.
---
**Created**: Tue Jul 15 09:42:37 AM PDT 2025
**Repository**: https://github.com/centminmod/centos7-vault-ipxe
**Issues**: https://github.com/centminmod/centos7-vault-ipxe/issues