Editing Creating OpenVZ LiveCD

The idea of creating OpenVZ LiveCD for a long time was in the air. Such CD would be
useful for various demonstrations, test-drives and some other purposes.
Additionally we received reports that some problems persist in creating LiveCD
based on OpenVZ kernel. In order to eliminate these problems and give users
the ability to use OpenVZ technology in LiveCD manner we decided to create it.
This article describes how I was doing about it. Probably there are some
easier and more effective ways, so feel free to improve the article. We chose
KNOPPIX as a base for our CD for two reasons. Firstly KNOPPIX is probably the
most widespread LiveCD in the world. Secondly KNOPPIX was interested in
integrating OpenVZ in one of its special releases. The article starts from
conceptual actions required to create OpenVZ LiveCD and then step-by-step
describes technical aspects. I want to note, that technical aspects depend a bit
on certain version of kernel, aufs and cloop you're using. For example some small
changes in code (functions argument type change and alike) are necessary. I used
aufs-20061113 and cloop-2.05-1 because these versions were used on in KNOPPIX 5.1.1.
2.6.18-8.el5-028stab027 OpenVZ kernel was used.

== Concepts ==
# Download KNOPPIX iso and get access to its content
# Extract KNOPPIX compressed image
# Somehow obtain OpenVZ Debian packages: kernel, vzctl, vzquota and template
# Uninstall previous Linux kernel and related packages from extracted tree
# Install OpenVZ Debian packages there
# Compress the tree
# Build aufs and cloop kernel modules against OpenVZ kernel
# Copy these modules in appropriate places on the disc
# Modify initrd image of KNOPPIX
# Create new ISO image

== Step-by-step actions ==
First we need to download KNOPPIX iso image.
[http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-mirrors/index-en.html Here] is a list of
mirrors where you can download it. I used KNOPPIX 5.1.1 from the nearest
mirror:
<pre>
mkdir openvz-livecd
cd openvz-livecd
wget ftp://ftp.chg.ru/pub/Linux/knoppix/KNOPPIX_V5.1.1CD-2007-01-04-EN.iso
</pre>

Let's copy contents of this iso to to the hard drive:
<pre>
mkdir mnt
mount -o loop KNOPPIX_V5.1.1CD-2007-01-04-EN.iso mnt
mkdir cd-contents
cp -a mnt/* cd-contents/
umount mnt
rm -r mnt
</pre>

When you're booted in KNOPPIX LiveCD you can observe a lot of files and use
various applications. On CD all this information is stored in a single file:
<pre>
ls -lh cd-contents/KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX
-rw-r--r--  1 vass vass 691M Jan  4 03:50 cd-contents/KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX
</pre>

As you can see its size is 691M, but after uncompressing it'll be
approximately 2Gb. In order to uncompress this file we need special tools:
cloop-utils. You can download them from [http://debian-knoppix.alioth.debian.org/sources/ this] site. I used
cloop-2.05-1, because exactly this version is installed on KNOPPIX 5.1.1.
<pre>
wget http://debian-knoppix.alioth.debian.org/sources/cloop_2.05-1.tar.gz
tar xzf cloop_2.05-1.tar.gz
cd cloop_2.05-1
make extract_compressed_fs
make create_compressed_fs # this tool will be required later, when compressing modified tree
cd ..
</pre>

After we have extract_compressed_fs tool in hand, let's extract KNOPPIX image:
<pre>
cloop_2.05-1/extract_compressed_fs cd-contents/KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX > KNOPPIX.img
ls -lh KNOPPIX.img
-rw-rw-r--  1 vass vass 2.0G Apr 12 17:38 KNOPPIX.img
</pre>

KNOPPIX.img file can be mounted using usual '-o loop' option.
Next our step is to create a copy of KNOPPIX file system tree on the hard disk.
Note, that we can't use 'cp' tool here, because of hardlinks and special files.
We should use rsynс:
<pre>
mkdir mnt
mount -o loop KNOPPIX.img mnt
mkdir KNOPPIX-content
rsync -Hav mnt KNOPPIX-content
umount mnt
rm -r mnt
</pre>

Now we should set up OpenVZ environment in obtained tree: kernel, vzctl, vzquota, template. For vzctl and vzquota we can use precompiled packages from http://debian.systs.org. But at the moment we have to create kernel Debian package by self, because we need additional patches in order all to work smoothly (but it will be unnecessary soon, when patches will be included in main OpenVZ patch). I created a Debian VE on my machine and install there kernel-package package, that allows to create Debian kernel packages easily. After that the creation of package is something like that:
<pre>
mkdir ovz-kernel
cd ovz-kernel
wget ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v2.6/linux-2.6.18.tar.bz2
wget http://download.openvz.org/kernel/branches/rhel5-2.6.18/028stab027.1/patches/patch-8.el5.028stab027.1-combined.gz
wget http://download.openvz.org/kernel/branches/rhel5-2.6.18/028stab027.1/configs/kernel-2.6.18-i686.config.ovz
wget http://download.openvz.org/~vass/diff-ubc-mm-null-pointer-for-kthread-20070406 # this patch will be not necessary soon.
tar xjf linux-2.6.18.tar.bz2
zcat patch-8.el5.028stab027.1-combined.gz | patch -p1 -d linux-2.6.18
patch -p1 -d linux-2.6.18 < diff-ubc-mm-null-pointer-for-kthread-20070406
mv linux-2.6.18 linux-2.6.18-8.el5-028test027
vim linux-2.6.18-8.el5-028test027/Makefile                   # here we add right extraversion: -8.el5-028test027
cp kernel-2.6.18-i686.config.ovz linux-2.6.18/.config
make-kpkg --revision=.1 kernel_image
cd ..
</pre>

If everything went smoothly, in the top directory we'll be able to see linux-image file:
<pre>
ls -l linux-image-2.6.18-8.el5-028stab027_.1_i386.deb
-rw-r--r-- 1 vass vass 13364308 Apr 16 11:06 linux-image-2.6.18-8.el5-028stab027_.1_i386.deb
</pre>

Don't delete sources and compilation of this kernel.
A bit later we'll need to build aufs and cloop kernel modules against this kernel.
Now I download vzctl and vzquota Debian packages from http://debian.systs.org and a template:
<pre>
wget  http://debian.systs.org/debian/pool/openvz/v/vzctl/vzctl_3.0.16-1dso2~sarge0_i386.deb
wget http://debian.systs.org/debian/pool/openvz/v/vzquota/vzquota_3.0.9-1dso1_i386.deb
wget http://download.openvz.org/template/precreated/debian-3.1-i386-minimal.tar.gz
</pre>

Copying packages to KNOPPIX tree and chroot there:
<pre>
cp linux-image-2.6.18-8.el5-028stab027_.1_i386.deb KNOPPIX-content/root
cp vzctl_3.0.16-1dso2~sarge0_i386.deb KNOPPIX-content/root
cp vzquota_3.0.9-1dso1_i386.deb KNOPPIX-content/root
cp debian-3.1-i386-minimal.tar.gz KNOPPIX-content/root
chroot KNOPPIX-content
mount -t proc proc /proc
mount -t tmpfs tmpfs /tmp # in order not to think about trash in /tmp later
cd /root
</pre>

In chrooted environment we need to remove all kernel related packages.
In KNOPPIX 5.1.1 2.6.19 vanilla kernel is used, so we can easily identify
all kernel-related packages and eliminate them using this knowledge:
<pre>
dpkg-query --list | grep 2.6.19
apt-get remove aufs-cvs-modules-2.6.19
apt-get remove cloop-module-2.6.19
apt-get remove madwifi-modules-2.6.19
apt-get remove ndiswrapper-modules-2.6.19
apt-get remove rt2x00-cvs-modules-2.6.19
apt-get remove loop-aes-modules-2.6.19
apt-get remove linux-image-2.6.19
</pre>

Installing OpenVZ tools (don't be afraid about warnings: they are ok)
<pre>
apt-get install linux-image-2.6.18-8.el5-028stab027_.1_i386.deb
apt-get install vzquota_3.0.9-1dso1_i386.deb
apt-get install vzctl_3.0.16-1dso2~sarge0_i386.deb
mv debian-3.1-i386-minimal.tar.gz /var/lib/vz/template/cache/
</pre>

Here I want to note one thing. We added some data to the KNOPPIX image,
so its size increased. If you want to burn iso on CD/DVD later you should
think of removing some packages. I miss this point, but you're aware.
After all we need to clean up chrooted environment:
<pre>
umount /proc
umount /tmp
rm -rf /root/*
exit
</pre>

That's great, now we have all the tree ready,
let's compress it in the new image using create_compressed_fs tool:
<pre>
mkisofs -R -iso-level 4 -force-rr -J  ./KNOPPIX-content-modif/ > KNOPPIX-modif.img
./cloop-2.05/create_compressed_fs KNOPPIX-modif.img 65536 > KNOPPIX-modif
</pre>

The next our step is to compile aufs and cloop kernel modules against OpenVZ kernel.
Let's start from cloop module. A definition in source must be commented,
because we're using RHEL-based kernel. The patch below shows what to do:
<pre>
--- cloop-2.05/compressed_loop.c.rh     2006-10-13 23:39:41.000000000 +0400
+++ cloop-2.05/compressed_loop.c        2007-04-12 17:21:24.000000000 +0400
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 #endif

 /* Define this if you are using Greenshoe Linux */
-/* #define REDHAT_KERNEL */
+ #define REDHAT_KERNEL

 #include <linux/kernel.h>
 #include <linux/version.h>
</pre>

Getting the sources, building:
<pre>
wget http://debian-knoppix.alioth.debian.org/sources/cloop_2.05-1.tar.gz
tar xzf cloop_2.05-1.tar.gz
cd cloop-2.05/
vim compressed_loop.c                                      # uncommenting define here
make KERNEL_DIR=../linux-2.6.18-8.el5-028stab027/ module
</pre>

After that you should have cloop.ko file in current directory. Later we will copy it to appropriate place.
What about aufs? Get the sources from cvs. I used 20061113 version, because this version is used in KNOPPIX 5.1.1.
The following changes are required in aufs, because we're using rhel5-based kernel:
<pre>
--- aufs/fs/aufs/cpup.c.orig    2006-10-23 12:58:33.000000000 +0000
+++ aufs/fs/aufs/cpup.c 2007-04-16 14:46:51.000000000 +0000
@@ -85,9 +85,6 @@ void cpup_attr_all(struct inode *inode)
                inode->i_rdev = hidden_inode->i_rdev;
        }
        inode->i_blkbits = hidden_inode->i_blkbits;
-#if LINUX_VERSION_CODE < KERNEL_VERSION(2,6,19)
-       inode->i_blksize = hidden_inode->i_blksize;
-#endif
 }

 /* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- */
--- aufs/fs/aufs/dir.c.orig     2006-10-23 12:59:29.000000000 +0000
+++ aufs/fs/aufs/dir.c  2007-04-16 14:58:34.000000000 +0000
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ struct test_empty_arg {
 };

 static int test_empty_cb(void *__arg, const char *__name, int namelen,
-                        loff_t offset, filldir_ino_t ino, unsigned int d_type)
+                        loff_t offset, u64 ino, unsigned int d_type)
 {
        struct test_empty_arg *arg = __arg;
        char *name = (void*)__name;
--- aufs/fs/aufs/vdir.c.orig    2006-10-23 13:02:20.000000000 +0000
+++ aufs/fs/aufs/vdir.c 2007-04-16 15:01:44.000000000 +0000
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ struct fillvdir_arg {
 };

 static int fillvdir(void *__arg, const char *__name, int namelen, loff_t offset,
-                   filldir_ino_t hidden_ino, unsigned int d_type)
+                   u64 hidden_ino, unsigned int d_type)
 {
        struct fillvdir_arg *arg = __arg;
        ino_t ino;
</pre>
Building aufs:
<pre>
cvs -d:pserver:anonymous@aufs.cvs.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/aufs login
cvs -z3 -d:pserver:anonymous@aufs.cvs.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/aufs co -D20061113 aufs
cd aufs
vim fs/aufs/cpup.c                                        #
vim fs/aufs/dir.c                                         # Introducing required changes
vim fs/aufs/vdir.c                                        #
make KDIR=../../linux-2.6.18-8.el5-028stab027/ -f local.mk
</pre>

Now you have an aufs.ko file in current directory. Next we need to add these modules to the disc.


== Result ==

== Links ==
# http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
# http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Knoppix_Remastering_Howto
# http://debian.systs.org/
@@ Line 89: / Line 89: @@
 </pre>
-Now we should set up OpenVZ environment in obtained tree: kernel, vzctl, vzquota, template. For vzctl and vzquota we can use precompiled packages from http://debian.systs.org. But at the moment we have to create kernel Debian package by self, because we need additional patches in order all to work smoothly (but it will be unnecessary soon, when patches will be included in main OpenVZ patch). This is important to use KNOPPIX default kernel config! The creators of LiveCD take a lot of care about customizing config file in such manner, that CD will suite as many users as possible. We shouldn't throw away such great job. We do `make oldconfig` and press enter all the time. Additionally some config options should be turn off at the moment. (http://bugzilla.openvz.org/show_bug.cgi?id=433): CONFIG_MATH_EMULATION, CONFIG_SJCD, CONFIG_OPTCD, CONFIG_AZTCD, CONFIG_BLK_DEV_XD, CONFIG_AUTOFS_FS, CONFIG_SND_WAVEFRONT.
+Now we should set up OpenVZ environment in obtained tree: kernel, vzctl, vzquota, template. For vzctl and vzquota we can use precompiled packages from http://debian.systs.org. But at the moment we have to create kernel Debian package by self, because we need additional patches in order all to work smoothly (but it will be unnecessary soon, when patches will be included in main OpenVZ patch). I created a Debian VE on my machine and install there kernel-package package, that allows to create Debian kernel packages easily. After that the creation of package is something like that:
-I created a Debian VE on my machine and install there kernel-package package, that allows to create Debian kernel packages easily. After that the creation of package is something like that:
 <pre>
 mkdir ovz-kernel
@@ Line 103: / Line 102: @@
 mv linux-2.6.18 linux-2.6.18-8.el5-028test027
 vim linux-2.6.18-8.el5-028test027/Makefile                   # here we add right extraversion: -8.el5-028test027
-cp linux-2.6.19 linux-2.6.18/.config
+cp kernel-2.6.18-i686.config.ovz linux-2.6.18/.config
-cd linux-2.6.18-8.el5-028test027
-make oldconfig                                               # pressing enter here
-vim .config                                                  # switching off some config options
 make-kpkg --revision=.1 kernel_image
-cd ..
 cd ..
 </pre>
@@ Line 173: / Line 168: @@
 That's great, now we have all the tree ready,
-let's compress it in the new image using create_compressed_fs tool
+let's compress it in the new image using create_compressed_fs tool:
-and copy to the right place:
 <pre>
 mkisofs -R -iso-level 4 -force-rr -J  ./KNOPPIX-content-modif/ > KNOPPIX-modif.img
 ./cloop-2.05/create_compressed_fs KNOPPIX-modif.img 65536 > KNOPPIX-modif
-cp KNOPPIX-modif cd-contents/KNOPPIX/KNOPPIX
 </pre>
@@ Line 257: / Line 250: @@
 </pre>
-Now you have aufs.ko file in current directory. Next we need to add these modules to the disc:
+Now you have an aufs.ko file in current directory. Next we need to add these modules to the disc.
-<pre>
-cp aufs.ko cloop.ko cd-contents/KNOPPIX/modules/
-</pre>
-When booting KNOOPIX uses initrd image,
-where it stores some kernel modules required to get access to the CD-drive.
-We need to remove old modules and add new one to initrd image. Extracting and
-mounting initrd:
-<pre>
-mkdir initrd
-cd initrd
-cp cd-contents/boot/isolinux/minirt.gz ./
-gunzip minirt.gz
-mkdir mnt
-mount -o loop minirt mnt
-</pre>
-The modules directory on initrd contents kernel modules. Now we should replace these modules by
-equivalents from OpenVZ kernel. Note, that some modules can missing, because we use other kernel.
-Just remove modules, that are missing. After this operation is done copy new minirt.gz to the appropriate place:
-<pre>
-umount mnt
-gzip minirt
-cp minirt.gz ../cd-contents/boot/isolinux/
-cd ..
-</pre>
-The last major step is to copy vmlinuz to isolinux directory:
-<pre>
-cp vmlinuz-2.6.18-8.el5-028stab027 cd-contents/boot/isolinux/linux
-</pre>
-Actually, now we're ready to create iso image with KNOPPIX OpenVZ LiveCD.
-But I describe a bit cosmetic changes now. First, we want to add OpenVZ logo and slogan
-to the startup screen of KNOPPIX. This picture is stored in boot/isolinux/logo.16 file in lss16 format.
-To convert this image to gif format we should install syslinux and netpbm-progs packages.
-After that the following actions should be done:
-<pre>
-mkdir boot-picture
-cp cd-contents/boot/isolinux/logo.16 boot-picture/
-cd boot-picture
-lss16toppm < logo.16 > logo.ppm
-ppmtogif < logo.ppm > logo.gif
-</pre>
-Then I  edit OpenVZ logo using gimp and save the image in bmp format.
-Converting and copying logo to the appropriate place:
-<pre>
-bmptoppm < logo.bmp > logo.ppm
-ppmtolss16 < logo.ppm > logo.16
-cd ..
-cp boot-picture/logo.16 cd-contents/boot/isolinux/logo.16
-</pre>
-Knoppix uses KDE as Window Manager and after KDE is loaded you can see the web page
-with information about using KNOPPIX. Of course, we want you to see the information
-about basics of using OpenVZ. So we write a page: [[Basic operations in OpenVZ]] and saved it
-in cd-contents/KNOPPIX/ directory. Then we just edited etc/X11/Xsession.d/45xsession file so,
-that Basic_operations_in_OpenVZ.html.html file is opened on KDE start.
-Great, let's write it all on CD:
-<pre>
-chmod -R u+w cd-contents
-rm cd-contents/boot/isolinux/boot.cat
-mkisofs -b boot/isolinux/isolinux.bin -o KNOPPIX_V5.1.1-OPENVZ-CD-2007-01-04-EN.iso -no-emul-boot \
- -l -J -r -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table KNOPPIX_V5.1.1CD-2007-01-04-EN.iso-content
-</pre>
 == Result ==
-[todo]
 == Links ==
@@ Line 334: / Line 259: @@
 # http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Knoppix_Remastering_Howto
 # http://debian.systs.org/
-[[Category: HOWTO]]
-[[Category: Live CD]]