The distribution constructor creates images based on settings specified in XML files, called manifest files. The manifest files contain specifications for the contents and parameters of the ISO images that you create using the distribution constructor. The distribution constructor package contains sample manifests that can be used to create a custom x86 Live Media ISO, an x86 or SPARC Automated Install ISO image, or an x86 or SPARC text installation ISO image. See Sample Manifest Files.
All the fields in each manifest file provide preset, default values that will create the type of image you need. You can edit fields in the manifest file to further customize the resulting image. For example:
You can edit the target element in the manifest to specify a different location for the build area where the image can be constructed.
You can check the publisher that's specified and ensure that the system you are using can contact that publisher to download the packages needed to build the image.
You can edit the software name element to specify a different publisher and repository location.
For instructions, see Customizing Images.
You can also create custom scripts to modify your installation image. Then, you can add checkpoints to the manifest file to run these custom scripts. For further information, see Creating and Using Custom Scripts.
The distribution constructor package also includes a command-line utility, the distro_const command, that interprets the manifest specifications and builds the image. After you have finished editing the image blueprint in a manifest file, you run the distro_const command to build your image. For further information, see Chapter 3, Building an Image.
You can use the options provided in the distro_const command to stop and restart the build process at various stages in the image-generation process in order to check and debug the image that is being built. This process of stopping and restarting during the build process is called checkpointing. Checkpointing is optional. Default checkpoints are specified in each manifest file.
After the distro_const command is run, you can check the simple log file and or the detailed log file for build information.
For more information, see How to Build an Image in Stages, or see the distro_const (1M) man page.