[pve-devel] [PATCH docs 4/9] Rewrite Installation

Oguz Bektas o.bektas at proxmox.com
Tue Sep 10 16:41:32 CEST 2019


hi,

On Tue, Sep 10, 2019 at 11:22:01AM +0200, Aaron Lauterer wrote:
> Polished phrasing, added mentions of the EULA and summary page in the
> installer, unified style of cli commands.
> 
> Signed-off-by: Aaron Lauterer <a.lauterer at proxmox.com>
> ---
>  pve-installation.adoc | 278 ++++++++++++++++++++----------------------
>  1 file changed, 134 insertions(+), 144 deletions(-)
> 
> diff --git a/pve-installation.adoc b/pve-installation.adoc
> index c07e1fb..cb5f2d1 100644
> --- a/pve-installation.adoc
> +++ b/pve-installation.adoc
> @@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
> -Installing Proxmox VE
> -=====================
> +Installing {pve}
> +================
>  ifndef::manvolnum[]
>  :pve-toplevel:
>  endif::manvolnum[]
> @@ -7,19 +7,19 @@ ifdef::wiki[]
>  :title: Installation
>  endif::wiki[]
>  
> -{pve} is based on Debian, therefore the disk image (ISO file) provided
> -by us includes a complete Debian system ("stretch" for version 5.x) as
> -well as all necessary {pve} packages.
> +{pve} is based on Debian. This is why the install disk images (ISO files)
> +provided by Proxmox include a complete Debian system (Debian 9 "stretch" for
> +{pve} version 5.x) as well as all necessary {pve} packages.
>  
> -Using the installer will guide you through the setup, allowing
> -you to partition the local disk(s), apply basic system configurations
> -(e.g. timezone, language, network) and install all required packages.
> -Using the provided ISO will get you started in just a few minutes,
> -that's why we recommend this method for new and existing users.
> +The installer will guide through the setup, allowing you to partition the local
> +disk(s), apply basic system configurations (e.g. timezone, language, network)
> +and install all required packages. This process should not take more than a few
> +minutes. Installing with the provided ISO is the recommended method for new and
> +existing users.
>  
> -Alternatively, {pve} can be installed on top of an existing Debian
> -system. This option is only recommended for advanced users since
> -detailed knowledge about {pve} is necessary.
> +Alternatively, {pve} can be installed on top of an existing Debian system. This
> +option is only recommended for advanced users as detailed knowledge about {pve}
> +is required.
>  
>  ifndef::wiki[]
>  
> @@ -31,103 +31,102 @@ endif::wiki[]
>  Using the {pve} Installer
>  -------------------------
>  
> -You can download the ISO from {website}en/downloads.
> -It includes the following:
> +Download the installer ISO at {website}en/downloads. It includes the following:
>  
>  * Complete operating system (Debian Linux, 64-bit)
>  
> -* The {pve} installer, which partitions the local disk(s) with ext4,
> -  ext3, xfs or ZFS and installs the operating system.
> +* The {pve} installer, which partitions the local disk(s) with ext4, ext3, xfs
> +  or ZFS and installs the operating system.
>  
> -* {pve} kernel (Linux) with LXC and KVM support
> +* {pve} kernel (Linux) with KVM and LXC support
>  
> -* Complete toolset for administering virtual machines, containers and
> -  all necessary resources
> +* Complete toolset for administering virtual machines, containers, and all
> +  necessary resources
>  
> -* Web based management interface for using the toolset
> +* Web-based management interface
>  
> -NOTE: During the installation process, the complete server
> -is used by default and all existing data is removed.
> +NOTE: All existing data on the server will be removed during the installation
> +process.
>  
> -Please insert the installation media (e.g. USB stick, CD-ROM) and boot
> +Please insert the installation media (e.g. USB flash drive, CD-ROM) and boot
>  from it.
>  
>  [thumbnail="screenshot/pve-grub-menu.png"]
>  
> -After choosing the correct entry (e.g. Boot from USB) the {pve} menu
> -will be displayed, you can now select one of the following options:
> +After choosing the correct entry (e.g. Boot from USB) the {pve} menu will be
> +displayed and one of the following options can be selected:
>  
> -Install Proxmox VE::
> +Install {pve}::
>  
> -Start normal installation.
> +Starts the normal installation.
>  
> -TIP: It is possible to only use the keyboard to progress through the
> -installation wizard. Buttons can be pressed by pressing down the `ALT`
> -key, combined with the underlined character from the respective Button.
> -For example, `ALT + N` to press a `Next` button.
> +TIP: It's possible to use the installation wizard with a keyboard only. Buttons
> +can be clicked by pressing the `ALT` key combined with the underlined character
> +from the respective button. For example, `ALT + N` to press a `Next` button.
>  
> -Install Proxmox VE (Debug mode)::
> +Install {pve} (Debug mode)::
>  
> -Start installation in debug mode. It opens a shell console at several
> -installation steps, so that you can debug things if something goes
> -wrong. Please press `CTRL-D` to exit those debug consoles and continue
> -installation. This option is mostly for developers and not meant for
> -general use.
> +Starts the installation in debug mode. A console will be opened at several
> +installation steps. This helps to debug the situation if something goes wrong.
> +To exit a debug console, press `CTRL-D`. This options is primarily for
> +developers and not intended for general use.
>  
>  Rescue Boot::
>  
> -This option allows you to boot an existing installation. It searches
> -all attached hard disks and, if it finds an existing installation,
> -boots directly into that disk using the existing Linux kernel. This
> -can be useful if there are problems with the boot block (grub), or the
> -BIOS is unable to read the boot block from the disk.
> +With this option you can boot an existing installation. It searches all attached
> +hard disks. If it finds an existing installation, it boots directly into that
> +disk using the Linux kernel from the ISO. This can be useful if there are
> +problems with the boot block (grub) or the BIOS is unable to read the boot block
> +from the disk.
>  
>  Test Memory::
>  
> -Runs `memtest86+`. This is useful to check if your memory is
> -functional and error free.
> +Runs `memtest86+`. This is useful to check if the memory is functional and free
> +of errors.
>  
>  [thumbnail="screenshot/pve-select-target-disk.png"]
>  
> -You normally select *Install Proxmox VE* to start the installation.
> -After that you get prompted to select the target hard disk(s). The
> -`Options` button lets you select the target file system, which
> -defaults to `ext4`. The installer uses LVM if you select `ext3`,
> -`ext4` or `xfs` as file system, and offers additional option to
> -restrict LVM space (see <<advanced_lvm_options,below>>)
> +After selecting *Install {pve}* and accepting the EULA, the prompt to select the
> +target hard disk(s) will appear. The `Options` button opens the dialog to select
> +the target file system.
>  
> -You can also use ZFS as file system. ZFS supports several software RAID
> -levels, so this is specially useful if you do not have a hardware RAID
> -controller. The `Options` button lets you select the ZFS RAID level, and
> -you can choose disks there. Additionally you can set additional options (see
> -<<advanced_zfs_options,below>>).
> +The default file system is `ext4`. The Logical Volume Manager (LVM) is used when
> +`ext3`, `ext4` or `xfs` ist selected. Additional options to restrict LVM space
> +can be set (see <<advanced_lvm_options,below>>).
> +
> +{pve} can be installed on ZFS. As ZFS offers several software RAID levels, this
> +is an option for systems that don't have a hardware RAID controller. The target
> +disks must be selected in the `Options` dialog. More ZFS specific settings can
> +be changed under `Advanced Options` (see <<advanced_zfs_options,below>>).
> +
> +WARNING: ZFS on top of any hardware RAID is not supported and can result in data
> +loss.
>  
>  [thumbnail="screenshot/pve-select-location.png", float="left"]
>  
> -The next page just asks for basic configuration options like your
> -location, the time zone and keyboard layout. The location is used to
> -select a download server near you to speed up updates. The installer is
> -usually able to auto detect those settings, so you only need to change
> -them in rare situations when auto detection fails, or when you want to
> -use some special keyboard layout not commonly used in your country.
> +The next page asks for basic configuration options like the location, the time
> +zone, and keyboard layout. The location is used to select a download server
> +close by to speed up updates. The installer usually auto-detects these settings.
> +They only need to be changed in the rare case that auto detection fails or a
> +different keyboard layout should be used.
>  
>  [thumbnail="screenshot/pve-set-password.png"]
>  
> -You then need to specify an email address and the superuser (root)
> -password. The password must have at least 5 characters, but we highly
> -recommend to use stronger passwords - here are some guidelines:
> +Next the password of the superuser (root) and an email address needs to be
> +specified. The password must consist of at least 5 characters. It's highly
> +recommended to use a stronger password. Some guidelines are:
>  
>  - Use a minimum password length of 12 to 14 characters.
>  
> -- Include lowercase and uppercase alphabetic characters, numbers and symbols.
> +- Include lowercase and uppercase alphabetic characters, numbers, and   symbols.
extra spaces here
>  
> -- Avoid character repetition, keyboard patterns, dictionary words,
> -  letter or number sequences, usernames, relative or pet names,
> -  romantic links (current or past) and biographical information (e.g.,
> -  ID numbers, ancestors' names or dates).
> +- Avoid character repetition, keyboard patterns, common dictionary   words,
extra spaces here
> +  letter or number sequences, usernames, relative or pet names, romantic links
> +  (current or past), and biographical information (for example ID numbers,
> +  ancestors' names or dates).
>  
> -It is sometimes necessary to send notifications to the system
> -administrator, for example:
> +The email address is used to send notifications to the system administrator
> +like:
i think 'for example' is better
>  
>  - Information about available package updates.
>  
> @@ -135,57 +134,50 @@ administrator, for example:
>  
>  [thumbnail="screenshot/pve-setup-network.png"]
>  
> -All those notification mails will be sent to the specified email
> -address.
> -
> -The last step is the network configuration. Please note that you can
> -use either IPv4 or IPv6 here, but not both. If you want to configure a
> -dual stack node, you can easily do that after installation.
> +The last step is the network configuration. Please note that during installation
> +you can either use an IPv4 or IPv6 address, but not both. To configure a dual
> +stack node, add additional IP addresses after the installation.
>  
>  [thumbnail="screenshot/pve-installation.png", float="left"]
>  
> -If you press `Next` now, you will see an overview of your entered
> -configuration. Please re-check every setting, you can still use the
> -`Previous` button to go back and edit all settings here.
> -
> -If you press `Install` now, installation starts to format disks, and
> -copies packages to the target. Please wait until that is finished,
> -then remove the installation media and restart your system.
> +The next step shows a summary of the previously selected options. Re-check every
> +setting and use the `Previous` button if a setting needs to be changed. To 
> +accept, press `Install`. The installation starts to format disks and copies 
> +packages to the target. Please wait until this step has finished; then remove 
> +the installation medium and restart your system.
>  
>  [thumbnail="screenshot/pve-install-summary.png"]
>  
>  If the installation failed check out specific errors on the second TTY
> -(`CTRL + ALT + F2'), ensure your systems mets the
> +(`CTRL + ALT + F2'), ensure that the systems meets the
>  xref:install_minimal_requirements[minimum requirements]. If the installation
> -is still not working then look at our xref:getting_help[how to get help chapter].
> +is still not working look at the xref:getting_help[how to get help chapter].
>  
> -Further configuration can be done via the Proxmox web interface. Just
> -point your browser to the IP address given during installation
> -(https://youripaddress:8006).
> -
> -NOTE: Default login is "root" (realm 'PAM') and the root password was
> -defined during the installation process.
> +Further configuration is done via the Proxmox web interface. Point your browser
> +to the IP address given during installation (https://youripaddress:8006).
>  
> +NOTE: Default login is "root" (realm 'PAM') and the root password is defined
> +during the installation process.
>  
>  [[advanced_lvm_options]]
>  Advanced LVM Configuration Options
>  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>  
> -The installer creates a Volume Group (VG) called `pve`, and additional
> -Logical Volumes (LVs) called `root`, `data` and `swap`. The size of
> -those volumes can be controlled with:
> +The installer creates a Volume Group (VG) called `pve`, and additional Logical
> +Volumes (LVs) called `root`, `data`, and `swap`. To control the size of these
> +volumes use:
>  
>  `hdsize`::
>  
> -Defines the total HD size to be used. This way you can save free
> -space on the HD for further partitioning (i.e. for an additional PV
> -and VG on the same hard disk that can be used for LVM storage).
> +Defines the total hard disk size to be used. This way you can reserve free space
> +on the hard disk for further partitioning (for example for an additional PV and
> +VG on the same hard disk that can be used for LVM storage).
>  
>  `swapsize`::
>  
> -Defines the size of the `swap` volume. The default is the size of the
> -installed memory, minimum 4 GB and maximum 8 GB. The resulting value cannot
> -be greater than `hdsize/8`.
> +Defines the size of the `swap` volume. The default is the size of the installed
> +memory, minimum 4 GB and maximum 8 GB. The resulting value cannot be greater
> +than `hdsize/8`.
>  +
>  NOTE: If set to `0`, no `swap` volume will be created.
>  
> @@ -203,35 +195,34 @@ volume is:
>  +
>  Where `datasize` cannot be bigger than `maxvz`.
>  +
> -NOTE: In case of LVM thin, the `data` pool will only be created if `datasize`
> -is bigger than 4GB.
> +NOTE: In case of LVM thin, the `data` pool will only be created if `datasize` is
> +bigger than 4GB.
>  +
>  NOTE: If set to `0`, no `data` volume will be created and the storage
>  configuration will be adapted accordingly.
>  
>  `minfree`::
>  
> -Defines the amount of free space left in LVM volume group `pve`.
> -With more than 128GB storage available the default is 16GB, else `hdsize/8`
> -will be used.
> +Defines the amount of free space left in the LVM volume group `pve`. With more
> +than 128GB storage available the default is 16GB, else `hdsize/8` will be used.
>  +
> -NOTE: LVM requires free space in the VG for snapshot creation (not
> -required for lvmthin snapshots).
> +NOTE: LVM requires free space in the VG for snapshot creation (not required for
> +lvmthin snapshots).
>  
>  [[advanced_zfs_options]]
>  Advanced ZFS Configuration Options
>  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> -The installer creates a ZFS pool `rpool`. When selecting ZFS, no swap space is
> -created by default. You can leave some unpartitioned space for swap or create
> -a swap zvol after installation, though the latter can lead to problems
> +The installer creates the ZFS pool `rpool`. No swap space is created but you can
> +reserve some unpartitioned space on the install disks for swap. You can also
> +create a swap zvol after the installation, altough this can lead to problems.
>  (see <<zfs_swap,ZFS swap notes>>).
>  
>  `ashift`::
>  
> -Defines the `ashift` value for the created pool. The `ashift` needs
> -to be set at least to the sector-size of the underlying disks (2 to
> -the power of `ashift` is the sector-size), or any disk,
> -which might be put in the pool (e.g. during replacing a defective disk).
> +Defines the `ashift` value for the created pool. The `ashift` needs to be set at
> +least to the sector-size of the underlying disks (2 to the power of `ashift` is
> +the sector-size), or any disk which might be put in the pool (for example the
> +replacement of a defective disk).
>  
>  `compress`::
>  
> @@ -248,33 +239,34 @@ semantics, and why this does not replace redundancy on disk-level.
>  
>  `hdsize`::
>  
> -Defines the total HD size to be used. This way you can save free
> -space on the HD(s) for further partitioning (e.g. for creating a swap-partition).
> -`hdsize` is only honored for bootable disks, i.e., only the first disk or
> -mirror for RAID0, RAID1 or RAID10, and all disks in RAID-Z[123].
> +Defines the total hard disk size to be used. This is useful to save free space
> +on the hard disk(s) for further partitioning (for exmaple to create a
> +swap-partition). `hdsize` is only honored for bootable disks, that is only the
> +first disk or mirror for RAID0, RAID1 or RAID10, and all disks in RAID-Z[123].
>  
>  
>  ZFS Performance Tips
>  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>  
> -ZFS uses a lot of memory, so it is best to add additional RAM if you
> -want to use ZFS. A good calculation is 4GB plus 1GB RAM for each TB
> +ZFS works best with a lot of memory. If you intend to use ZFS make sure to have
> +enough RAM available for it. A good calculation is 4GB plus 1GB RAM for each TB
>  RAW disk space.
>  
> -ZFS also provides the feature to use a fast SSD drive as write cache. The
> -write cache is called the ZFS Intent Log (ZIL). You can add that after
> -installation using the following command:
> -
> - zpool add <pool-name> log </dev/path_to_fast_ssd>
> +ZFS can use a dedicated drive as write cache, called the ZFS Intent Log (ZIL).
> +Use a fast drive (SSD) for it. It can be added after installation with the
> +following command:
>  
> +----
> +# zpool add <pool-name> log </dev/path_to_fast_ssd>
> +----
>  
>  ifdef::wiki[]
>  
>  link:/wiki/Install_from_USB_Stick[Install from USB Stick]
>  ---------------------------------------------------------
>  
> -link:/wiki/Install_Proxmox_VE_on_Debian_Stretch[Install Proxmox VE on Debian Stretch]
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> +link:/wiki/Install_Proxmox_VE_on_Debian_Stretch[Install {pve} on Debian Stretch]
> +--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>  
>  endif::wiki[]
>  
> @@ -285,26 +277,24 @@ include::pve-usbstick.adoc[]
>  Install {pve} on Debian
>  -----------------------
>  
> -{pve} ships as a set of Debian packages, so you can install it
> -on top of a standard Debian installation.
> -xref:sysadmin_package_repositories[After configuring the repositories], you
> -need to run:
> +{pve} ships as a set of Debian packages and can be installed on to of a standard
> +Debian installation.
> +xref:sysadmin_package_repositories[After configuring the repositories] you need
> +to run the following commands:
>  
> -[source,bash]
>  ----
> -apt-get update
> -apt-get install proxmox-ve
> +# apt-get update
> +# apt-get install proxmox-ve
>  ----
>  
> -Installing on top of an existing Debian installation looks easy, but
> -it presumes that you have correctly installed the base system, and you
> -know how you want to configure and use the local storage. Network
> -configuration is also completely up to you.
> +Installing on top of an existing Debian installation looks easy, but it presumes
> +that the base system has been installed correctly and that you know how you want
> +to configure and use the local storage. You also need to configure the network
> +manually.
>  
> -In general, this is not trivial, especially when you use LVM or
> -ZFS.
> +In general, this is not trivial, especially when LVM or ZFS is used.
>  
> -You can find a detailed step by step how-to guide on the
> +A detailed step by step how-to can be found on the
>  {webwiki-url}Install_Proxmox_VE_on_Debian_Stretch[wiki].
>  
>  
> @@ -316,7 +306,7 @@ Video Tutorials
>  ---------------
>  
>  * List of all official tutorials on our
> -  http://www.youtube.com/proxmoxve[Proxmox VE YouTube Channel]
> +  http://www.youtube.com/proxmoxve[{pve} YouTube Channel]
>  
>  * Tutorials in Spanish language on
>    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUULBIhA5QDBdNf1pcTZ5UXhek63Fij8z[ITexperts.es
> -- 
> 2.20.1
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> pve-devel mailing list
> pve-devel at pve.proxmox.com
> https://pve.proxmox.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pve-devel
> 




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