util-vserver:Howto virtualize an exisiting Linux server

Virtualize CentOS4

• Create a regular guest

vserver yourguest build ...

• Empty the just created guest

rm -rf /vservers/yourguest/*

• Copy your old server to the previous folder

rsync -rv --progress --partial --exclude '/proc/*' yourguest:/  /vservers/yourguest/
Why yourguest:/ shouldn't that be / ?
Answer: You're now on the host server about to copy an existing installation on another hardware.

guest on the host, not the guest.

• Remove the fstab

rm /vservers/yourguest/etc/fstab

• Remove the services that makes troubles at start

rm /vservers/yourguest/etc/rc.d/init.d/network
rm /vservers/yourguest/etc/rc.d/init.d/.....
What are the troubled services? What is the minimal setup to make it work?
Answer: Any hardware related services will be troubled and should be removed.

• Disable Pam authentification for ssh access

edit /vservers/yourguest/etc/ssh/sshd_config  ->  (UsePAM no)
replace # Listen with Listen yourguestip (this has to been done on the host too is your host ip)

• Remove the useless modules

rm /etc/modprobe.conf
Do you mean editing modprobe.conf? Why delete the file?
Answer: Probing modules make no sense in a virtual environment.

• Start your vserver !

vserver yourguest start