Re: Network install of Woody
On Thu, 20 Feb 2003, Chris Tillman wrote:
> On Fri, Feb 21, 2003 at 11:58:23AM +0800, John Summerfield wrote:
> > The documentation for using bootroms (such as PXE) is incomplete. See the (ia386) install guide:
> > 4.5.5 Move TFTP Images Into Place which links to 11.2.3, and contains the text, "NOT YET WRITTEN."
> >
> > 5.5 Booting from TFTP
> > This talks about floppies, confusing since I don't plan on using one (unless I
> > lack a working bootrom in the NIC).
> >
> > 4.5.6 Installing with TFTP and NFS Root
> > Doesn't really give any idea about how to do it. How do I create the NFS root to export? It happens I'm running Red Hat Linux, so Debian tools won't work. Maybe if it's on a CD somewhere....
> >
> > 11.2.3 Description of Installation System Files
> > This mentions several files called tftpboot.img, but I recall someone on another list found it impossible to boot such large files because at that time the system's in real mode, can address no more than one Mbyte of RAM, and of that, only 640K is available to programs.
> >
> > pxelinux can load a kernel and an initrd, so it doesn't look like those are the right files. Possibly, I could use a "rescue" image and a "root image."
> >
> >
> > I have the inclination to try to get it working. Is there someone who can work with me?
> >
> > What I suggest is someone create corrected text (don't worry about formatting), and I will try it out. When the text checks out, maybe others can try it, but it should go to the maintainer for inclusion.
>
> Well, I'd suggest the opposite. We included that text based on one
> person's experience, if you can tell us how to improve the text,
> based on your experience, we'd be happy to change it. There seems
> to be a lot of interest, but not too much concrete input. Maybe
> one of the issues is there are so many ways to get it to work?
If I were to write it (assuming I knew enough, which at present I don't), you
could probably point out errors, but not the inadequacies.
At present, I in my ignorance am well-equipped to locate the latter. If I wait
until I have worked through it and found a path that works, then it will become
clear enough that I will no longer be able to indentify clearly what's missing,
what facts I have assumed but which might not be known to others.
--
Cheers
John Summerfield
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