Description of problem: Modern versions of initscripts' rc.sysinit require the "READONLY=yes" setting to not attempt to re-mount the root directory RW . The "READONLY=yes" setting should be specified in /etc/sysconfig/init for diskless clients. Without this setting, the root "/" NFS mount will be reported as being mounted with option "rw", even though the exporting NFS server exports it with option "ro", and the original NFS mount specified option "ro" . Also, attempts to create files on the / filesystem fail with the "Permission Denied" error, not with "Read-only file system" error as expected. (Could be an NFS buglet here!) So system-config-netboot's mkdiskless script should write the "READONLY=yes" setting to /etc/sysconfig/init if no READONLY setting is specified there. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): ALL How reproducible: 100% Steps to Reproduce: Boot diskless client with from a RHEL-4 client NFS root Actual results: Root filesystem is reported as being mounted 'rw' Expected results: /proc/mounts should show the 'ro' option for the NFS / filesystem Additional info:
This is now fixed with system-config-netboot-0.1.26, available from: http://people.redhat.com/~jvdias/system-config-netboot The mkdiskless script now puts the 'READONLY=yes' option in /etc/sysconfig/init if it is not there.
An advisory has been issued which should help the problem described in this bug report. This report is therefore being closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information on the solution and/or where to find the updated files, please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report if the solution does not work for you. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2005-484.html