CentOS – Install CentOS 7 Without Physical Installation Media

centosnetworkingnfssystem-installationusb

Currently I have two machines on the same network:

  1. Windows 8.1 machine
  2. CentOS 7 machine

I want to reinstall the 2nd machine with a clean CentOS 7 install.

That machine is situated at another place where I can't reach now. But I can ssh into it.

Since I don't have a direct physical access to it, it is not possible to use a bootable USB or DVD (ISO burned) to initialize the CentOS installation in it. Also, it is a server without GUI.

How can I do the installation process successfully in this scenario? Can someone help me with the proper step-by-step guidelines?

I found this option:

But couldn't find a suitable one.

Is it possible to mount a CentOS 7 ISO image in my Windows machine, and access that mounted ISO for installation in CentOS? I thought I can use it as NFS source for installation.

In that case (or in any case), how can I start the installation from the CentOS machine (without using any bootable media like USB)?

Best Answer

Since you have KVM access to the machine, you have two fairly straightforward solutions.

The first -- & easiest -- is to determine if your KVM setup supports mounting a USB or DVD remotely. (Read the Fine Manual to determine this.) I know one of the products I have used over the years, which is manufactured by Raritan, supports this. Because one thinks KVM as only a remote tool to access the monitor, keyboard & mouse, the fact it also supports the USB protocol is easily overlooked.

The drawback with this solution is, of course, bandwidth latency. If you have only a 1Mb connection to this machine, it will take a while to transfer the install data to the target.

The second solution, which is a little more difficult, is to use your KVM access to implement @jsbillings suggestion. Put the image somewhere the target CentOS system can see it (e.g., the Windows machine), & use the image file there. Although the commands might be a bit tricky if you aren't an experienced Linux SysAdmin, you won't have the same bandwidth issue the first option poses. But having KVM access means you can actually monitor the install, & you have a means to access the system if the install encounters an unforeseen problem.

Pick the option you are most comfortable with, & give it a try.

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