[PDF] Parallels Server 5 Bare Metal

Advanced Tasks
Creating Configuration Files for New Linux
Distributions
Distribution configuration files are used to distinguish among Containers running different Linux
versions and to determine what scripts should be executed when performing the relevant
Container-related operations (e.g. assigning a new IP address to the Container). Detailed
information on distributions configurations files is provided in the Linux Distribution Configuration
Files subsection of the Parallels Command Line Reference Guide.
All Linux distributions shipped with Parallels Server Bare Metal have their own configuration files
located in the /etc/vz/conf/dists directory on the Parallels server. However, you may wish to
create your own distribution configuration files to support new Linux versions released. Let us
assume that you wish your Containers to run the CentOS 5 Linux distribution and, therefore, have
to make the centos-5.conf distribution configuration file to define what scripts are to be
executed while performing major tasks with Containers running this Linux version. To do this:
1 In the Container configuration file (with the name of /etc/vz/conf/CT_ID.conf), specify
centos-5 as the value of the DISTRIBUTION variable (for example,
DISTRIBUTION="centos-5").
2 Create the centos-5.conf configuration file in the /etc/vz/conf/dists directory. The
easiest way to do it is copy one of the existing configuration files by executing the following
command in the /etc/vz/conf/dists directory:
# cp fedora.conf centos-5.config
In the example above, we assume that the fedora.conf file is present in the
/etc/vz/conf/dists directory on the Parallels server. In case it is not, you may use any
other distribution configuration file available on your server.
3 Open the centos.conf file for editing with the help of any text editor:
# vi centos-5.conf
4 In the centos-5.conf file, go to the first entry and, in the right part of the entry, specify the
name of the script you wish to be run on issuing the pctl command with the parameter
specified in the left part of the entry. For example, if you wish the script to be executed while
assigning a new IP address to your Container and the script has the my_centos_script
name, your entry should look as follows:
ADD_IP=my_centos_script-add_ip.sh
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Note: The information on all acceptable parameters and their description are provided in the Parallels
Command Line Reference Guide.
5 Repeat Step 4 for all entries in the file.
6 Place the scripts for the new Linux distribution to the /etc/vz/conf/dists/scripts
directory on the Node. Make sure the names of these scripts coincide with those specified in
the centos-5.conf file.