In this chapter, we will set a lab up by using two popular Linux distributions: CentOS and Ubuntu. CentOS is a community-driven Linux operating system that targets enterprise servers, and it's known for its compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Ubuntu is another Linux distribution that is based on the famous Debian operating system; it's currently developed by Canonical Ltd., which provides it with commercial support.
We will also learn how to install both Linux distributions with a free and open software called Cobbler, which will automatically boot the server with a Linux image and customize it using the kickstart for CentOS and Anaconda for Debian-based system.
The following topics will be covered in this chapter:
- Getting the Linux operating system
- Creating an automation machine on a hypervisor
- Getting started with Cobbler...