add wiki and console-server links to ParaVM/HVM help text

[invirt/packages/invirt-web.git] / code / main.py

diff --git a/code/main.py b/code/main.py
index 15647b9..226a038 100755 (executable)
--- a/code/main.py
+++ b/code/main.py
@@ -426,15 +426,39 @@ def helpHandler(username, state, path, fields):
     simple = fields.getfirst('simple')
     subjects = fields.getlist('subject')
 
-    help_mapping = {'ParaVM Console': """
+    help_mapping = {
+                    'Autoinstalls': """
+The autoinstaller builds a minimal Debian or Ubuntu system to run as a
+ParaVM.  You can access the resulting system by logging into the <a
+href="help?simple=true&subject=ParaVM+Console">serial console server</a>
+with your Kerberos tickets; there is no root password so sshd will
+refuse login.</p>
+
+<p>Under the covers, the autoinstaller uses our own patched version of
+xen-create-image, which is a tool based on debootstrap.  If you log
+into the serial console while the install is running, you can watch
+it.
+""",
+                    'ParaVM Console': """
 ParaVM machines do not support local console access over VNC.  To
 access the serial console of these machines, you can SSH with Kerberos
 to %s, using the name of the machine as your
 username.""" % config.console.hostname,
                     'HVM/ParaVM': """
 HVM machines use the virtualization features of the processor, while
-ParaVM machines use Xen's emulation of virtualization features.  You
-want an HVM virtualized machine.""",
+ParaVM machines rely on a modified kernel to communicate directly with
+the hypervisor.  HVMs support boot CDs of any operating system, and
+the VNC console applet.  The three-minute autoinstaller produces
+ParaVMs.  ParaVMs typically are more efficient, and always support the
+<a href="help?subject=ParaVM+Console">console server</a>.</p>
+
+<p>More details are <a
+href="https://xvm.scripts.mit.edu/wiki/Paravirtualization">on the
+wiki</a>, including steps to prepare an HVM guest to boot as a ParaVM
+(which you can skip by using the autoinstaller to begin with.)</p>
+
+<p>We recommend using a ParaVM when possible and an HVM when necessary.
+""",
                     'CPU Weight': """
 Don't ask us!  We're as mystified as you are.""",
                     'Owner': """
@@ -632,7 +656,8 @@ Subject: %s
 
 %s
 """ % (to, config.web.hostname, subject, body)
-    p = subprocess.Popen(['/usr/sbin/sendmail', to], stdin=subprocess.PIPE)
+    p = subprocess.Popen(['/usr/sbin/sendmail', '-f', to, to],
+                         stdin=subprocess.PIPE)
     p.stdin.write(mail)
     p.stdin.close()
     p.wait()