Virtual Machine Testing

This guide explains how to test installation images and configurations locally within a Virtual Machine environment before deployment.

Prerequisites

• Devenv installed
• Direnv recommended for automatic environment loading
• QEMU installed (included in Hephaestus devenv)

Test Execution

Use the test-iso script at the root of the Hephaestus repository to spawn a VM and simulate the installation process.

devenv shell test-iso --argstr partition <partition_profile> --argstr cloud <cloud_init_config>

Parameters

Parameter	Description
--argstr partition	The partition layout profile to test.
--argstr cloud	Boolean (true/false) to enable Cloud-Init, or a specific profile name.

Locating Profiles:

• Partition Profiles: Defined within the installer/partitions/ directory of the Hephaestus repository.

Usage Example

# Enter the development environment
cd /path/to/hephaestus
devenv shell test-iso --argstr partition default70G --argstr cloud true

# Or with direnv (recommended)
cd /path/to/hephaestus
test-iso --argstr partition default70G --argstr cloud true

Observation

Upon execution, a QEMU virtual machine window will appear. The installation process will proceed automatically, allowing you to visually verify the boot sequence, partitioning, and system provisioning steps.