[Bug 262330] Re: description of preseeding netcfg settings and when to use preseed file and when to use kernel command line settings not clear enough

[Your Mom]

I second the rerun of the network configuration. Seeing how preseed/run
did not work for me, I replaced the wget binary with a shell script
reconfiguring the network, which is the ugliest work around yet.

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu
Foundations Bugs, which is subscribed to installation-guide in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/262330

Title:
  description of preseeding netcfg settings and when to use preseed file
  and when to use kernel command line settings not clear enough

Status in installation-guide package in Ubuntu:
  Triaged

Bug description:
  Following a discussion with cjwatson on #ubuntu-installer :

  The installation guide at https://help.ubuntu.com/8.04/installation-guide/i386/preseed-contents.html
  mentions:
  """"
  Of course, preseeding the network configuration won't work if you're loading your preconfiguration file from the network. But it's great when you're booting from CD or USB stick. If you are loading preconfiguration files from the network, you can pass network config parameters by using kernel boot parameters. 
  """

  Based on this I would assume that when creating a custom installer
  based on the mini.iso netinst image, because one "boots from the CD",
  network config parameters can be put in the preseed file. However, as
  cjwatson explained,  the mini.iso reads the CD _after_ configuring the
  network and thus network config options have to be given as kernel
  boot parameters.

  I suggest rewording the above paragraph to:
  """
  Of course, preseeding the network configuration won't work if you're loading your preconfiguration file from the network. But it's great when you're installing from CD or USB stick. If you are loading preconfiguration files from the network or booting from a "netinst" CD image, you have to pass network config parameters by using kernel boot parameters.  (When using the "netinst" image, although the kernel boots from the CD, the preseed file is only read after configuring the network; even the CD drivers are loaded from the network.)
  """

  (note: I am not sure "netinst" is the right word here, I think other
  parts of the ubuntu homepage, for example where one can download the
  cd images, use a different terminology)

  Also, what kernel parameters to use should be documented. Is it simple that any 
  "d-i netcfg/foo type bar"
  can be put on the kernel parameters as
  "netcfg/foo=bar"?

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/installation-guide/+bug/262330/+subscriptions