#134: Clarify the ISO to USB tests -------------------------+-------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: Type: enhancement | Status: new Priority: major | Milestone: Component: Test Review | Version: Keywords: | -------------------------+-------------------------------------------------- We've heard many users installing by writing ISO to USB drive and having problems about it. So it's better to have a clear story from anaconda or whoever on what exactly is supported in terms of writing the DVD image to USB, and what isn't. It would be good to clear it up and add some specific install validation tests for it.
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: Type: enhancement | Status: new Priority: major | Milestone: Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Changes (by rhe):
* summary: Clarify the ISO to USB tests => Clarify writing ISO to USB tests
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: Type: enhancement | Status: new Priority: major | Milestone: Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Comment (by jlaska):
Good topic, I'd also like to understand more about the USB ISO failures. In addition to the ticket you filed, I've also added this topic to https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Fedora_14_QA_Retrospective
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: Type: enhancement | Status: new Priority: major | Milestone: Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Comment (by adamwill):
Just to streamline discussion, AIUI there's several different writing methods and several different ISOs to consider.
The ISOs we have to consider are:
* Live images * DVD images * boot.iso / netinst.iso images * install.img image
The writing methods we have to consider are:
* dd (and equivalent utils, e.g. Windows tools which just do a simple raw image like dd does) * livecd-iso-to-disk * liveusb-creator * unetbootin
It would help to know exactly which writing methods, with which images, are considered supported. It seems obvious that live images with livecd- iso-to-disk and liveusb-creator are supported, and anything with unetbootin is *not* officially supported (as we don't control that tool). The grey area for me is exactly what should and shouldn't work with dd, and to what extent we support writing the non-live images to USB stick with livecd-iso-to-disk and liveusb-creator .
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: Type: enhancement | Status: new Priority: major | Milestone: Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Comment (by adamwill):
Gah. I FUCKING hate trac's retarded fucking formatting.
The ISOs we have to consider are:
* Live images [[BR]] * DVD images [[BR]] * boot.iso / netinst.iso images [[BR]] * install.img image [[BR]]
The writing methods we have to consider are:
* dd (and equivalent utils, e.g. Windows tools which just do a simple raw image like dd does) [[BR]] * livecd-iso-to-disk [[BR]] * liveusb-creator [[BR]] * unetbootin [[BR]]
On Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 11:14 PM, Fedora QA trac@fedorahosted.org wrote:
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: Type: enhancement | Status: new Priority: major | Milestone: Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Comment (by adamwill):
snip
The ISOs we have to consider are:
* Live images [[BR]] * DVD images [[BR]] * boot.iso / netinst.iso images [[BR]] * install.img image [[BR]]
The writing methods we have to consider are:
* dd (and equivalent utils, e.g. Windows tools which just do a simple raw image like dd does) [[BR]] * livecd-iso-to-disk [[BR]] * liveusb-creator [[BR]] * unetbootin [[BR]]
There is possibly more to it as well - for example in the past I have tried the dd method and it sometimes works and sometimes does not - but I never got to the bottom of that. There are possibly issues with whether or not the usbkey is labelled and sometimes what the partition structure is. Also in the past I have had to resort to booting the boot.iso image on the key and then referencing the DVD iso file via an HD install (with its associated images/ directory) placed on the same key in the root directory - which did work, where booting the dvd iso directly on the key did not. Should booting an install dvd iso directly on the key *always" work?
In addition sometimes which usbkey is used can make a difference -
Also there is the (possibly not Fedora problem) issue of getting a usbkey to boot on old machines where usb boot is not available from the BIOS.
All these issues tend to make the use of usbkeys less than 100% reliable - anyway I will run some tests with the beta trying to install from usbkey - and report back in due course.
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: Type: enhancement | Status: new Priority: major | Milestone: Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Comment (by rhe):
Replying to [comment:3 adamwill]:
<skip> [[BR]] It would help to know exactly which writing methods, with which images,
are considered supported. It seems obvious that live images with livecd- iso-to-disk and liveusb-creator are supported, and anything with unetbootin is *not* officially supported (as we don't control that tool). The grey area for me is exactly what should and shouldn't work with dd, and to what extent we support writing the non-live images to USB stick with livecd-iso-to-disk and liveusb-creator .
Agree. To get to know about this, who should we contact with? the anaconda team? We can add them to the cc list for discussion.
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: Type: enhancement | Status: new Priority: major | Milestone: Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Comment (by jlaska):
Replying to [comment:5 rhe]:
Agree. To get to know about this, who should we contact with? the
anaconda team? We can add them to the cc list for discussion.
The anaconda-devel team will be maintaining the livecd-tools package.
From what I can find in the Fedora 13 installation guide, we have the following scenarios to consider:
'''Explicit references to livecd-tools with ''Live.ISO''''' * ''3.2.2. Making Fedora USB Media in UNIX, Linux, and Similar Operating Systems'' * [http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en- US/Fedora/13/html/Installation_Guide/Making_USB_Media-UNIX_Linux.html 3.2.2.1.1. Making Fedora USB Media with a graphical tool] * [http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en- US/Fedora/13/html/Installation_Guide/Making_USB_Media-UNIX_Linux- other.html 3.2.2.1.2. Making Fedora USB Media with livecd-tools] * [http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en- US/Fedora/13/html/Installation_Guide/Making_USB_Media-UNIX_Linux.html #Making_USB_Media-UNIX_Linux-RHEL_Fedora-dd 3.2.2.1.3. Making Fedora USB Media with dd] * [http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en- US/Fedora/13/html/Installation_Guide/Making_USB_Media.html #Making_USB_Media-Windows 3.2.1. Making Fedora USB Media on a Windows Operating System]
'''Implicit reference to using livecd-tools using ''boot.iso''''' * [http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/13/html- single/Installation_Guide/index.html#sect-New_Users- Alternative_Boot_Methods 4.5.1. Alternative Boot Methods] - under ''USB Pen Drive'' it references writing the ''boot.iso'' using ''livecd-iso-to- disk''
I'd prefer not testing any use cases that are not recommended and documented in the installation guide, or supported by the maintainer.
1. With regards to the documentation, the last section (see section 4.5.1 link above) seems like an after thought to me. It's not clear why that is the only section that recommends using a boot.iso with livecd-iso-to-disk. I'd prefer changing that section to simple link to using livecd-iso-to- disk with a Live image. 2. With regards to livecd-tools support, we do need to reach out to anaconda-devel to determine what usage scenarios they support. I'd also like to understand how using livecd-iso-to-disk (or dd) changes the installation experience.
With the above information, we can determine where the gaps in our current test matrix are. In addition to test matrix changes, we may also consider adjusting the release criteria so we can appropriately prioritize related failures.
On Wed, Sep 29, 2010 at 4:43 PM, Fedora QA trac@fedorahosted.org wrote:
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: Type: enhancement | Status: new Priority: major | Milestone: Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Comment (by jlaska):
Replying to [comment:5 rhe]: > Agree. To get to know about this, who should we contact with? the anaconda team? We can add them to the cc list for discussion.
The anaconda-devel team will be maintaining the livecd-tools package.
From what I can find in the Fedora 13 installation guide, we have the following scenarios to consider:
'''Explicit references to livecd-tools with ''Live.ISO''''' * ''3.2.2. Making Fedora USB Media in UNIX, Linux, and Similar Operating Systems'' * [http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en- US/Fedora/13/html/Installation_Guide/Making_USB_Media-UNIX_Linux.html 3.2.2.1.1. Making Fedora USB Media with a graphical tool] * [http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en- US/Fedora/13/html/Installation_Guide/Making_USB_Media-UNIX_Linux- other.html 3.2.2.1.2. Making Fedora USB Media with livecd-tools] * [http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en- US/Fedora/13/html/Installation_Guide/Making_USB_Media-UNIX_Linux.html #Making_USB_Media-UNIX_Linux-RHEL_Fedora-dd 3.2.2.1.3. Making Fedora USB Media with dd] * [http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en- US/Fedora/13/html/Installation_Guide/Making_USB_Media.html #Making_USB_Media-Windows 3.2.1. Making Fedora USB Media on a Windows Operating System]
'''Implicit reference to using livecd-tools using ''boot.iso''''' * [http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/13/html- single/Installation_Guide/index.html#sect-New_Users- Alternative_Boot_Methods 4.5.1. Alternative Boot Methods] - under ''USB Pen Drive'' it references writing the ''boot.iso'' using ''livecd-iso-to- disk''
I'd prefer not testing any use cases that are not recommended and documented in the installation guide, or supported by the maintainer.
Having looked again at the installation guide pages my feeling is that there needs to be more careful separation of the preparation of live usb media for running the live version as compared with preparing a usbkey for install media. That distinction is not obvious to me, and I suspect to others too. The methods don't always work for both live media and install media in these cases.
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: Type: enhancement | Status: new Priority: major | Milestone: Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Comment (by mcloaked):
Having looked again at the installation guide pages my feeling is that there needs to be more careful separation of the preparation of live usb media for running the live version as compared with preparing a usbkey for install media. That distinction is not obvious to me from the way the guide is written, and I suspect to others too. The methods don't always work for both live media and install media in these cases.
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: Type: enhancement | Status: new Priority: major | Milestone: Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Changes (by jlaska):
* cc: bcl (added)
Comment:
Replying to [comment:7 mcloaked]:
Having looked again at the installation guide pages my feeling is that
there needs to be more careful separation of the preparation of live usb media for running the live version as compared with preparing a usbkey for install media. That distinction is not obvious to me from the way the guide is written, and I suspect to others too. The methods don't always work for both live media and install media in these cases.
I've reached out to the docs team for clarification (see http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/docs/2010-September/012697.html). I've also ping'd bcl (from anaconda-devel) for his thoughts on the supported livecd-tools use cases.
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: rhe Type: enhancement | Status: assigned Priority: major | Milestone: Fedora 15 Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Changes (by rhe):
* owner: => rhe * status: new => assigned * milestone: => Fedora 15
Comment:
Replying to [comment:8 jlaska]:
Replying to [comment:7 mcloaked]:
Having looked again at the installation guide pages my feeling is that
there needs to be more careful separation of the preparation of live usb media for running the live version as compared with preparing a usbkey for install media. That distinction is not obvious to me from the way the guide is written, and I suspect to others too. The methods don't always work for both live media and install media in these cases.
I've reached out to the docs team for clarification (see
http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/docs/2010-September/012697.html). I've also ping'd bcl (from anaconda-devel) for his thoughts on the supported livecd-tools use cases.
Still need further clarification and tests should be designed based on the support. Move it to F-15.
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: rhe Type: enhancement | Status: assigned Priority: major | Milestone: Fedora 16 Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Changes (by rhe):
* milestone: Fedora 15 => Fedora 16
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: rhe Type: enhancement | Status: assigned Priority: major | Milestone: Fedora 16 Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Comment (by rhe):
Now in our [https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Category:Installer_Boot_Methods Boot methods test cases] such as dvd, boot.iso, live, boot local tests etc, the 'setup' and 'actions' steps already include writing iso to USB drive, which I think have generally covered this area.
#134: Clarify writing ISO to USB tests --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Reporter: rhe | Owner: rhe Type: enhancement | Status: closed Priority: major | Milestone: Fedora 16 Component: Test Review | Version: Resolution: fixed | Keywords: --------------------------+------------------------------------------------- Changes (by rhe):
* status: assigned => closed * resolution: => fixed
Comment:
Like the above comment, now the tests have already included 'writing iso to USB' part. Closing it for now, feel free to reopen and take this ticket in need.
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