Syslinux - Dec 2005 - Using Linux as a first/second stage boot.

Hi,

I have a laptop that can boot from the network, but not from a CD or USB 
device.

I was wondering if there was a way to netboot the linux kernel, and then 
type a command that would restart the boot process, but boot from the CD 
instead, and use the previous linux kernel's CD rom driver to read the 
new kernel image, and therefore boot from the CD in just the same way a 
BIOS would.

Alternatively, how does one do a netboot install of Linux onto the HD.
For example, can it be done by mounting the Linux dist install CD on a 
central server, and have the laptop netboot Linux, and then install the 
dist on the Laptop's HD.

This is kind of useful when the floppy drive on the laptop does not work 
any more.

James

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On Mon, Dec 12, 2005 at 02:33:01PM +0000, James Courtier-Dutton
wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I have a laptop that can boot from the network, but not from a CD or USB 
> device.
> 
> I was wondering if there was a way to netboot the linux kernel, and then 
> type a command that would restart the boot process, but boot from the CD 
> instead, and use the previous linux kernel's CD rom driver to read the 
> new kernel image, and therefore boot from the CD in just the same way a 
> BIOS would.
> 
> Alternatively, how does one do a netboot install of Linux onto the HD.
> For example, can it be done by mounting the Linux dist install CD on a 
> central server, and have the laptop netboot Linux, and then install the 
> dist on the Laptop's HD.
> 
> This is kind of useful when the floppy drive on the laptop does not work 
> any more.
The Debian-installer can do installs also from the network.
See http://www.nl.debian.org/releases/stable/powerpc/ch04s06.html.en
for more information.

GSt
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.2.4 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQFDnZu4OSINbgwa/7sRAqvWAKCwfi1qsP+kXD3t0t4Lvj/wJp6mQgCfWu+Z
Rg4KyKXW7mJYbfTqpoN/MnY=fLs1
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----