Automated software installation with interview

A computing device, comprising:

• a processor to:
• receive, from a client device, a network-bootable disk image to install an operating system and core software on the computing device;
• and
• install, based on the network-bootable disk image, the operating system and the core software on the computing device,
• the processor, when installing the operating system and the core software, being to:
• receive, from the client device, installation parameters to install the operating system and the core software on the computing device,
• the client device prompting a user of the client device to supply the installation parameters to install the operating system and the core software on the computing device, and
• the client device storing, in a memory, the installation parameters received from the user prior to sending the network-bootable disk image to the computing device,
• replace a mount command on a miniroot with code that causes a task to be performed at a time when file systems are to be initially used during an installation process associated with installing the operating system and the core software on the computing device;
• intercept a mount command for mounting a standard file system partition,
• cause volumes for the core software to be mounted instead of the standard file system partition based on intercepting the mount command,
• install files for the operating system directly to the volumes for the core software,
• mirror, in parallel with installing the files for the operating system, the volumes for the core software, and
• modify a non-volatile boot setting of the computing device to cause the mirrored volumes to be used as a primary boot device and a secondary boot device by the computing device.

A system comprising:

• means for prompting a user of a computing device to supply installation parameters for installation of an operating system and core software on a server device;
• means for receiving the installation parameters from the user;
• means for storing the installation parameters in a memory;
• means for providing to the server device instructions for jointly installing the operating system and the core software,
• the instructions requiring sequential input, from an entity other than the server device, of multiple parameters, and
• the instructions causing the server device to:
• replace a mount command on a miniroot with code for causing a task to be performed at a time when file systems are to be initially used during an installation process associated with installing the operating system and the core software on the server device,
• intercept a mount command for mounting a standard file system partition,
• cause volumes for the core software to be mounted instead of the standard file system partition based on intercepting the mount command for mounting the standard file system partition,
• install files for the operating system directly to the volumes for the core software,
• mirror, in parallel with installing the files for the operating system, the volumes for the core software, and
• modify a non-volatile boot setting of the server device to cause the mirrored volumes to be used as a primary boot device and a secondary boot device;
• means for receiving, from the server device, a request for a particular one of the multiple parameters;
• and
• means for supplying, to the server device, the particular one of the multiple parameters based on the stored installation parameters.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising:

• one or more instructions that, when executed by a processor of a server device, cause the processor to:
• receive a network-bootable disk image to install an operating system and core software on the server device,
• the network-bootable disk image including an installer, for the operating system;
• replace a mount command on a miniroot with code that allows the installer to perform a task at a time when file systems are to be initially used during an installation process associated with installing the operating system and the core software on the server device;
• intercept a mount command for mounting a standard file system partition;
• cause volumes for the core software to be mounted instead of the standard file system partition based on intercepting the mount command for mounting the standard file system partition;
• install, based on the network-bootable disk image, an image of the operating system directly to the volumes for the core software;
• mirror, in parallel with installing the image of the operating system, the volumes for the core software, and
• modify a non-volatile boot setting of the server device to cause the mirrored volumes to be used as a primary boot device and a secondary boot device by the server device.