Online Image builder

Online Image Builder

Objective: To provide the ability for the Gentoo users to have installable images built by a web server that would contact them when it was ready to be downloaded.

Abstract:  Using example front ends create a way to deliver a generic Gentoo system without having to have a user there to do the installation.  The delivery would then be provided in several formats (zip, tar.bz, bootable iso).  The user would be expected to install their own kernel, a genkernel will be shipped with the installation image but will not be suitable for every user so they *should* go and recompile it with their own options.

Deliverable's:

• A website (in PHP or Python) with the ability to take orders from users, que them, and notify users when their build is ready to be downloaded. 
• User documentation in an easy to understand format.
• A modular design so new things can be put into place with ease.
• A generic base system for x86 and amd64 (server and desktop of each).
  

Timeline:
May 10th - 24th:

• Get a standard set of use flags that will be applied to every package (will be different for each system).
• Get a standard set of packages that will be installed on each system.
• Decide on standard CFLAGS to be used, most likly CFLAGS="-O2 -march=i686 -pipe"
  
• Begin work on Python script to do the install.
• Decide what platform will do the building.
  

May 24th - June 8th:

• Have Python script done and work on debugging it.
• Have the finalized set of packages that will be available to be installed though the online tool.
• Begin work on the que system.
• Begin front end mock up/decide what mock up to use.

June 8th - June 22nd:

• Do a build via the online (protected) front end and debug w/ que utility.
• Decide what to include with each delivery.
• Prepare a bootable iso template.
• Have everything that is build saved in a binary form (to save time for each build).

June 22nd - 29th:

• Flex time for unanticipated problems.

June 29th - July 20th:

• Have multiple people build systems concurrently(while website still protected).  Test system tax's.
• Work out any bugs on the delivery system's.
• Find and fix system bottlenecks.

July 20th - August 10th:

• Have the site open to the gentoo population with a request for error's that happen on build.
• Fix error's.
• Generate a time from request to delivery time sample.
• Be able to predict (withing an hour or two) when a user's build will be ready.
• Find and fix system bottlenecks.

August 10th - Onward:

• Improve delivery system.
• Find and fix system bottlenecks.
• Fix error's.
• Make build system portable (so it can be taken to different location ie. university, and have builds done by there servers with even more customizability).
  

About me:
My name is
Ethan Hall, I am currently a sophomore in the college of Computer and
Electrical Engineering at Purdue University. I am 20 years old My parents are currently located in VA, my mom has
just started an alpaca farm, we will see how well that goes. In my
free time I like to swing dance, mostly. I am currently the designer
for Night Train swing dance club. I love it, it gives me
a way to relax, and mingle with people after a hard day of engineering
homework. One of my goals every semester is to try to bring my friends
into the swing club so they can experience it too. Lets face it, there
is a reason that the stereotypical engineer is a nerd who plays video
games all the time. I also like to ride motorcycles but as of yet to
own one, this is one of my summer goals. I am in a call at Purdue
called EPICS and it has been a great way for me to get my feet wet with
actual applications of of products. My team works for a museum called
Imagination Station, and I personal am a co-team leader. The project I
work on is called the LASER maze, it teaches kids about LASER's
reflection and reflection. It has shown me some really cool things and
make me realize why there are "warranty void if opened" stickers on
everything. When one thing starts to work anther stops working. AHH
agrivating.