Using Rhn Bootstrap - Red Hat NETWORK 4.1.0 - CLIENT Configuration Manual

Using RHN Bootstrap

Red Hat Network provides a tool that automates much of the manual reconfiguration de-
scribed in previous chapters: RHN Bootstrap. This tool plays an integral role in the RHN
Satellite Server Installation Program, enabling generation of the bootstrap script during
installation.
RHN Proxy Server customers and customers with updated Satellite settings require a boot-
strap tool that can be used independently. RHN Bootstrap, invoked with the command
/usr/bin/rhn-bootstrap
RHN Satellite Server and RHN Proxy Server.
If used correctly, the script this tool generates can be run from any client system to conduct
the following tasks:
Redirect client applications to the RHN Proxy or Satellite
•
Import custom GPG keys
•
Install SSL certificates
•
Register the system to RHN and particular system groups and channels with the help of
•
activation keys
Perform miscellaneous post-configuration activities, including updating packages, per-
•
forming reboots, and altering RHN configuration
Customers should note, however, the inherent risks of using a script to conduct configura-
tion. Security tools such as SSL certificates are installed by the script itself; therefore they
do not yet exist on the systems and cannot be used to process transactions. This allows
for the possibility of someone impersonating the Satellite and transmitting bad data. This
is mitigated by the fact that virtually all Satellites and client systems operate behind cus-
tomer firewalls and are restricted from outside traffic. Registration is conducted via SSL
and is therefore protected.
The bootstrap
/var/www/html/pub/bootstrap/
it can be downloaded and run on all client systems. Note that some preparation and
post-generation editing is required, as identified in the following sections. Refer to
Section 5.4 RHN Bootstrap Options for the tool's complete list of options. Finally, refer
to the Appendix A Sample Bootstrap Script for an example script.
, serves that purpose and comes installed by default on both
script
bootstrap.sh
is automatically
directory of the RHN Server. From there
Chapter 5.
placed in the