Re: Debian LiveUSB persistent/upgradeable (howto)
On Mon 26 May 2025 at 10:11:50 (-0700), David Christensen wrote:
> On 5/26/25 01:32, riveravaldez wrote:
> > Hi, I would like to make a minimal Debian Stable -with only the packages I
> > need- available as a LiveUSB bootable system (nomadic, USB-stick, which I
> > can use in any desktop/laptop) with persistence and some way to upgrade it
> > when next Stable gets published. Is there a standard procedure to achieve
> > this?
> >
> > In the Wiki I've found:
> >
> > https://wiki.debian.org/DebianLive/LiveUsbPersistence
> >
> > But it starts stating: «*Caution*: This needs an overhaul to reflect USB
> > stick layout changes (ESP partition). Could not reproduce it working with a
> > debian-live-11.2-amd64 image.»
> >
> > Anyway, the steps seem pretty similar to these ones, from Kali (Debian
> > based):
> >
> > https://www.kali.org/docs/usb/usb-persistence/
> >
> > It could be something similar to what MX (antiX based, which is Debian
> > based) does: a non-writable LiveUSB bootable system (loading on RAM), and a
> > couple of rootfs/homefs files that got the changes (from RAM) written upon
> > when time is convenient (e.g., when shutting down).
> > And maybe the LiveUSB bootable part could just be overwritten when a new
> > Debian Stable gets published?
> >
> > Couldn't find more info online, so, maybe someone could point me in the
> > right direction to keep reading...
> >
> > Kind regards, everybody, and thanks a lot in advance!
>
> I used to install Debian onto SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.0 16 GB flash
> drives, to use for headless servers and to use as a portable Debian
> installation for imaging, maintenance, trouble-shooting, etc.. USB
> flash drives do not have a substantial RAM buffer, so interactive use
> was choppy.
>
> Now I connect a SATA to USB adapter cable to a 2.5" SATA SSD and
> install Debian onto the SSD:
>
> https://www.startech.com/en-us/hdd/usb3s2sat3cb
Can you boot it on both BIOS and EFI machines, like the Debian live images?
Cheers,
David.
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