Customize Your Image by Editing the Manifests
The distribution constructor creates images based on settings specified in XML files, called
manifest files. The manifest files contain specifications for the contents and parameters of the
ISO images that you create using the distribution constructor. The distribution constructor contains default
manifests that can be used to create a custom Slim CD, an x86
AI ISO image, a SPARC AI ISO image, or a virtual machine.
Manifests specify parameters such as the following:
Names of the packages to be included in the image
Network location of the repository to access to retrieve packages for the image
Name and location of scripts used to finalize the creation of the new image
The default manifest files included in the SUNWdistro-const package are:
Table 2-2 Default Manifests
Manifest Type |
Manifest Location |
Description |
|---|
x86
ISO image |
/usr/share/distro_const/slim_cd/
all_lang_slim_cd_x86.xml |
This manifest is used to create an ISO image comparable to
the OpenSolaris Live CD. |
SPARC AI ISO image |
/usr/share/distro_const/
auto_install/ai_sparc_image.xml |
This manifest is used to create a
SPARC AI ISO image for automated installations of the OpenSolaris OS to SPARC
clients. |
x86 AI ISO image |
/usr/share/distro_const/
auto_install/ai_x86_image.xml |
This manifest is used to create an x86 AI
ISO image for automated installations of the OpenSolaris OS to x86 clients. |
x86 virtual
machine |
/usr/share/distro_const/
vmc/vmc_image.xml |
Starting in the OpenSolaris 2010.03 release, this manifest is used to create a virtual machine image. For
instructions, see Chapter 3, x86: Design and Build a Virtual Machine. |
Modifying Manifest Contents
All the fields in each manifest file provide preset, default values that will
create the type of ISO image you need. You have the option
to manually edit these preset fields in a manifest file to further customize
the resulting image.
If you want to modify the manifest information, use the following process:
Copy one of the default manifests and create a custom manifest file with a new file name.
You will reference the manifest file by name when you use the distro_const command to create an image.
Note - Always back up the original manifest file and the default scripts before copying them.
Edit the manifest fields to suit your needs. See the dc_manifest(4) man page for instructions.
If the default finalizer scripts do not leave the build_area as you need it, you can create your own scripts to make further modifications. If you do create new scripts, update the script references in the finalizer section of the manifest file.
For instructions about editing the finalizer script section in the manifest file, see the dc_manifest(4) man page.
For instructions about creating new scripts, see Further Customize an Image Using Finalizer Scripts.
When you have completed any revisions to the manifest file and, optionally, customized the finalizer scripts as described in the next section, you can proceed with running the distro_const utility to create an image. For instructions, see Building an Image.
