Install Tracer upon new host registration

[ToniF]

Problem:
When I register a new content host using “curl ... | bash”, I need to manually add Tracer to every host, because I want Tracer to run on all hosts.
This procedure is weak, because an operator may forget to install Tracer.

Expected outcome:
Is there a way to automatically install Tracer upon host registration?
e.g. by using “Activation Keys” or extending the curl command?

Foreman and Proxy versions:
3.5.1

Foreman and Proxy plugin versions:
katello 4.7.1
foreman-tasks 7.1.1
foreman_remote_execution 8.2.0

Distribution and version:
Rocky Linux 8.7

[gvde]

Just look into the templates. The standard “Linux host_init_config default” template checks for host parameter redhat_install_host_tracer_tools. If it’s true, it installs katello-host-tools-tracer.

[ToniF]

Yes, this is exactly what I was missing - thank you!

I figured out that altering the template is not a good idea in this case.
As I need Tracer on all hosts (like some kind of global “policy”), I managed to add a Global Parameter, setting “redhat_install_host_tracer_tools” to “true”.

During execution of the “curl ... | bash” registration, the Tracer client component gets immediately installed.

[gvde]

@ToniF

I figured out that altering the template is not a good idea in this case.

I would alter templates only if necessary. But looking at the template source helps to find options which are not well (or not at all) documented.

@ToniF

As I need Tracer on all hosts (like some kind of global “policy”), I managed to add a Global Parameter, setting “redhat_install_host_tracer_tools” to “true”.

You can set it on any level: global, hostgroup or host, depending on what you need.

[maximilian]

See also Foreman documentation: Enabling Tracer on a Host.

[ToniF]

Thanks for adding the link.

Unfortunately, the official documentation doesn’t answer (yet) what is being asked in this topic.