kvm-scripts

Scripts for use with kvm to create vm and maintain snapshots and backups. Basic rundown given below. Since these are primarily for my personal use the dependency list is not comprehensive and generally there is some tinkering involved. While some scripts are usable, others are meant more as a reference source. There are more scripts than are mentioned in the rundown, most for reference and convenience.

I intend to replace this project with a compiled version of the scripts for use with setupid, fewer dependencies and more coherent usage.

Basic rundown:

1. Create a thinlvm and place a basic operating system. I used a cloud image and unpacked it into a thinlvm.
2. ADDTIONAL STEP: If you want to customize the image without using cloud-init install it using virt-install and prepair the image for use
3. Create conf directory and files based on example (conf/prod) in the repository. I also keep other vm specific scripts and files in these folders
4. Run create_vm.sh (create a symbolic link or copy the script to your path with whatever name you prefer, I use addvm)
5. Place lvm_snapshots script in your cron folder, I use cron.hourly but feel free to configurate it to whatever intervals you want.
6. Create /etc/kvm-scripts/to_snapshot and add the names of vm's you want to snapshot either manually (syntax: vg_name/lv_name) or using option in create_vm.sh script
7. create_vm.sh also adds a entry to /etc/hosts, so newly create vm's should be accessible using vm_name as hostname, forexample ssh username@vm_name. You may need to reload dnsmasq to update settings
8. Delete unused vm's with remove_vm.sh

Dependencies:

• cron
• kvm
• lvm

Notes:

• there are multiple convenience scripts for the initial process of installation, most are usable but require some knowledge of the procedures.
• lvm_snapshots only takes snapshots of lvm's in use
• script raw_to_thinlv.sh is locked and meant to be used as reference. Due to the lvm syntax it requires a large amount of inputs. If you do want to use it you can read through it and then remove the early exit line. Personally I'd rewrite/modify it to some have hardcoded information.