Understanding the Anaconda installer
Vratislav Podzimek
Wed 09 Jul 2014
What has (not) changed
upgrades not done by the Anaconda
loader replaced with dracut modules
major change of the UI model:
wizard
-->
Hub&Spoke
new, modern look of the GUI
new, antique look of the TUI
custom partitioning turned around
very limitted boot loader configuration
no package selection
old kickstarts work without any changes
Firstboot being replaced by Initial Setup
loader replaced with dracut modules
no ugly curses-based screens at the beginning
worse error reporting
less (almost none) interactivity for the early stage
user confusion if something goes wrong
Hub&Spoke model
summary screens (Hubs) + going back and forth to configuration screens (Spokes)
nice overview of the actual configuration
screens have titles/targets
doesn't force the ordering of actions (that much)
transaction-like model
better time and resource management
much better extensibility
New modern/antique GUI/TUI
both GUI and TUI completely rewritten
GUI has modern look similar to the running system
TUI is single-color working like a line printer
old curses-based TUI caused problems on serial consoles
much better accessibility support
same model as the GUI -- Hub&Spoke
Custom partitioning turned around
bottom-up partitioning in pre-7 era
e.g. to create software RAID user had to:
create partitions as RAID members
create RAID device
choose mount point for the device
top-down partitioning in RHEL 7 Anaconda:
create mount point
select RAID level
similar change for LVM/BTRFS and reclaiming space from the old system(s)
Step-by-step demo
Don't hesitate to interrupt me and ask
Where you can reach us
Right here, right now
vpodzime@redhat.com
anaconda-devel-list@redhat.com
#anaconda @ Freenode/Red Hat
Red Hat, Brno1, 4th floor
Remember:
Collaboration works!
Thank you for your attention!