Automated installation using preseeding from url failed (from within VirtualBox)

Question

I'm trying to do automated installation using preseeding from url, but it failed.

Basically, I'm following

Ubuntu Server Quick Install, No Questions Asked! http://blog.dustinkirkland.com/2011/03/ubuntu-server-quick-install-no.html

Using the Ubuntu 12.04 desktop ISO, and append the following options to the kernel command line (ESC, then F6 at the boot screen):

priority=critical locale=en_US url=http://goo.gl/PBKbX

The installation should proceed from start to finish, but mine failed at the first step resolving goo.gl.

what's wrong?

I also tried to add auto, as per https://help.ubuntu.com/12.04/installation-guide/i386/preseed-using.html ie., appending

priority=critical locale=en_US auto url=http://goo.gl/PBKbX

but still, can't resolve goo.gl

How can I fix it?

PS. this is run from within VirtualBox.

Answer 1

Modifying the desktop ISO with ISO Master works for me.

1. Run ISO Master in the bottom pane.

2. Open the isolinux directory.

3. Edit the txt.cfg file.

   I added the following entry (changed the url though)

   default live
   label live
   menu label ^Autoinstall
   kernel /casper/vmlinuz
   append  url=http://goo.gl/PBKbX/live.seed automatic-ubiquity boot=casper initrd=/casper/initrd.lz quiet splash noprompt auto=true --
   

4. Save the image and try it.

I assume setting the kernel options manually should work as well. Make sure you have set the VirtualBox network settings correctly (e.g useing NAT).

Answer 2

Change the network adapter mode in virtualbox to 'Bridge' instead of NAT. Sometimes NAT doesn't get you proper networking access, and therefore your DNS lookup will fail.