Goal

Install OpenShift in disconnected environments by booting a standard image that can be downloaded from Red Hat's site. (It would also work in a connected environment)

The image will boot into the agent-based interactive installation mode, where the user will enter all the required information about the environment to complete the installation of OpenShift.

Why is this important?

Installing OpenShift requires downloading the client and the installer, set it up on a node, fill in the install and agent config yaml files, create an ISO and then boot it. While this serves the purpose, it's far from the experience that the increasing number of users in disconnected environments demand. 

With an ISO image being the only element required to install OpenShift, users will be able to download and do in-place installations directly on the target nodes, without requiring any connectivity, and entering all the environment and user details at installation time.

This will increase the speed of the installation workflow (from going to cloud.redhat.com to cluster installed), making first cluster (cluster zero) installations extremely simple, driving more adoption and being the vehicle for installing ACM/MCE and then Hypershift, which will further enhance the installation and lifecycle of subsequent clusters.

Acceptance Criteria

• An environment and user-agnostic image can be downloaded
• Installing OpenShift doesn't have any other dependencies, including a pre-existing registry
• The image can be preinstalled in a node's disk to boot to the installation

Previous Work

Agent Installer for Factory Installations: Design discussions