stefanhacker.ansible_inject_packages_into_iso

Role: ansible-inject-packages-into-iso

This role allows you to add packages to a live ISO. I need a live Debian ISO with a German keyboard layout and SSH access for the root user. So, I created this role to easily build our custom ISO repeatedly, without hassle or confusion.

Example Playbook

---
- hosts: myhosts
  become: yes
  gather_facts: yes

  roles:
    - role: inject_packages_into_iso
      enable_download: True
      download_public_iso_url: https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/debian-live-11.3.0-amd64-standard.iso
      live_folder_name: live/
      path_to_src_iso_file_with_filename: /tmp/iso/debian11.iso
      path_to_dest_iso_filename: /srv/tftp/images/debianlive_ssh/x86_64/debianlive_ssh.iso
      install_ssh_server: True
      clean_working_dir: False
      packages_to_install:
      - "htop"
      - "mc"
      set_root_pass: "installer10"
      cpu_count_for_make_squashfs_again: 10
      XKBMODEL: pc105
      XKBLAYOUT: de
      XKBVARIANT: nodeadkeys
      XKBOPTIONS: ""
      BACKSPACE: ""
      hostname: installer-strange

Description of Variables to Set

• path_to_src_iso_file_with_filename: The path where the source ISO will be copied manually or downloaded if a URL is provided. This is the base directory of the ISO file. Temporary path: /tmp/iso/debian11.iso.

• path_to_dest_iso_filename: The destination path for the new ISO (e.g., to a TFTP directory). The folder should not exist; it will be created if necessary. Destination path: /srv/tftp/images/debianlive_ssh/x86_64/debianlive_ssh.iso.

• live_folder_name: This is the folder where the squash initrd files are located. For Debian, it is called "live"; for Linux Mint, it is "casper."

• clean_working_dir: This cleans only the working directory where the extracted files and recreated squashfs are stored initially. Set to False.

• clean_tmp_folder: Cleans the temporary folder after all work is done. Set to False.

• enable_download: When set to True, the ISO will be downloaded from the URL specified in download_public_iso_url.

• cpu_count_for_make_squashfs_again: Number of CPU cores to use for rebuilding the squashfs. Using one core can take an hour or more; it's a resource-intensive process, so be cautious with the number of cores you choose.

• download_public_iso_url: URL for the ISO file: https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current-live/amd64/iso-hybrid/debian-live-11.3.0-amd64-standard.iso.

• install_ssh_server: Set to True to install the OpenSSH server and allow root login with a password. Default is False.

• packages_to_install: List of packages to install. By default, it's empty.

• working_dir: The working directory for the operation (do not change): {{ path_to_src_iso_file_with_filename | dirname }}/work/.

• set_root_pass: Assigns a root password. If left empty, it will not be changed.

• hostname: If empty, the hosts file and hostname files will remain unchanged.

• XKBMODEL: Keyboard model, set to pc105.

• XKBLAYOUT: Language layout, set to de for German.

• XKBVARIANT: Keyboard variants, set to nodeadkeys.

• XKBOPTIONS: Other keyboard options, set to empty.

• BACKSPACE: A few options for backspace, set to empty.