Cloud-init information

Much extended the original Cloud-init article
    Add full guide for preparing Debian as a template for XCP-ng

pages/02.linux/cloud-init/default.en.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Cloud-Init
-visible: false
+visible: true
 ---
 
 [toc]
@@ -19,8 +19,41 @@ apt install cloud-init cloud-initramfs-growroot
 
 [/shroot]
 
-### AlmaLinux
+## Cloud-init
-
-## Config file
 
 Cloud-init has a config file in `/etc/cloud/cloud.cfg`
+
+### Growing partitions
+
+With growroot installed in the initramfs, cloud-init will expand partitions and filesystems to fit the root partition given.
+
+### XCP-ng: Set Hostname
+
+This cloud config snippet sets the machine hostname to the VM name.
+
+```
+#cloud-config
+hostname: {name}
+```
+
+## Network config
+
+The network config is a special config file with cloud-init that focuses on specifying network settings.
+
+### Set Static IP
+
+The snippet below sets a static ip address for the specified interface.  
+Its syntax mainly follows the `/etc/network/interfaces` syntax.
+
+```
+network:
+  version: 1
+  config:
+  - type: physical
+    name: [INTERFACE]
+    subnets:
+      - type: static
+        address: [ADDRESS]
+        gateway: [ADDRESS]
+        dns_nameservers: [ADDRESS]
+```

pages/02.linux/guides/debian-create-new-template/default.en.md

@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+---
+title: "Debian Create new template"
+visible: true
+---
+
+[toc]
+
+This guide focuses on creating a new template for Debian that can be used with XCP-ng.
+
+## VM Creation
+
+Before even starting the installation, a new VM has to be created.  
+I choose the `Other install media` template and set the Distro name prefixed with "CR".  
+The usual sizing is 1 vCPU and 1 GiB RAM.  
+Add a network interface in the most commonly used network.  
+Add a disk, a size of 10 GiB is a good starting point.  
+Finally in the advanced settings, change the boot firmware from `bios` to `uefi`
+
+## Installation
+
+Most of the installation can be done as usual, though some parts must be observed.  
+The root user will get a password. We also create a new non-root user.  
+For partitioning, choose the manual method.  
+The following partitions should be created, all of them as primary partitions.
+
+- Type **EFI** _128M_
+- Type **Swap** _1G_
+- Type **EXT4** _remaining space_
+
+![Partitions overview](partitioning.webp)
+
+Accept the created partitioning
+
+> The reason for this layout is so Cloud-init can automatically grow the root partition when the underlying virtual disk is expanded
+
+Reboot after the installation completes.
+
+## Cloud-init
+
+Install Cloud-init to use its configurations.  
+On debian the required packages are `cloud-init` and `cloud-initramfs-growroot`
+
+> More information can be found on the [Cloud-init page](/linux/cloud-init).
+
+## Final Configuration
+
+### Networking
+
+Edit `/etc/network/interfaces` and remove the network interface defined there.  
+Cloud-init will create a new definition under `/etc/network/interfaces.d`
+
+### ISO-file
+
+Unmount and remove the installation ISO-file.
+
+## Conversion
+
+Poweroff the VM and go to its `Advanced` tab.  
+![XCP-ng Advanced tab](xcp-ng-advanced-tab.webp)
+
+Before clicking `Convert to template`, creating a clone is recommended.