[gentoo-user] Headless gentoo install

[gentoo-user] Headless gentoo install

[Momesso Andrea]

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I need to install gentoo on an headless server.
The problem is that I cannot attach a video on it at all, neither for
the installation.

I asked the seller to setup the bios for cd boot as main option, so that
I can use a live distro for the gentoo installation.

I know for sure that both the gentoo livecd and systemrescuecd need user
interaction to setup ssh (at least I have to choose a root password).

I think it won't be too difficoult to do it blind:
- Insert cd
- Poweron the machine
- Wait a while
- Type "passwd" "******" "******" "/etc/init.d/net.sshd restart"

But I'm sure somewhere there are livecds with a fixed root password,
that start dhcp and sshd on boot. Possibly x86_64.
Does anyone know such a livedistro, or can anybody suggest a different
method for my installation?

This is the machine:
http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=280282897816

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Re: [gentoo-user] Headless gentoo install

[Justin]

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Momesso Andrea schrieb:
> Does anyone know such a livedistro, or can anybody suggest a different
> method for my installation?
>   

Is it a blank machine or is there already an OS on it? Than you can
easily do the installation from this.


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Re: [gentoo-user] Headless gentoo install

[Dirk Uys]

On Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 2:05 PM, Momesso Andrea
<momesso.andrea@gmail.com> wrote:
> I need to install gentoo on an headless server.
> The problem is that I cannot attach a video on it at all, neither for
> the installation.
>
> I asked the seller to setup the bios for cd boot as main option, so that
> I can use a live distro for the gentoo installation.
>
> I know for sure that both the gentoo livecd and systemrescuecd need user
> interaction to setup ssh (at least I have to choose a root password).
>
> I think it won't be too difficoult to do it blind:
> - Insert cd
> - Poweron the machine
> - Wait a while
> - Type "passwd" "******" "******" "/etc/init.d/net.sshd restart"
>
> But I'm sure somewhere there are livecds with a fixed root password,
> that start dhcp and sshd on boot. Possibly x86_64.
> Does anyone know such a livedistro, or can anybody suggest a different
> method for my installation?
>
> This is the machine:
> http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=280282897816
>

Have you considered using one of the usb distros available. I think
it's easy to configure ssh with a know password. Have a look at
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/. Haven't booted a linux from usb myself,
but I think it should work?

Regards
Dirk

Re: [gentoo-user] Headless gentoo install

[Momesso Andrea]

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On Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 02:24:07PM +0200, Dirk Uys wrote:
> On Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 2:05 PM, Momesso Andrea
> <momesso.andrea@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I need to install gentoo on an headless server.
> > The problem is that I cannot attach a video on it at all, neither for
> > the installation.
> >
> > I asked the seller to setup the bios for cd boot as main option, so that
> > I can use a live distro for the gentoo installation.
> >
> > I know for sure that both the gentoo livecd and systemrescuecd need user
> > interaction to setup ssh (at least I have to choose a root password).
> >
> > I think it won't be too difficoult to do it blind:
> > - Insert cd
> > - Poweron the machine
> > - Wait a while
> > - Type "passwd" "******" "******" "/etc/init.d/net.sshd restart"
> >
> > But I'm sure somewhere there are livecds with a fixed root password,
> > that start dhcp and sshd on boot. Possibly x86_64.
> > Does anyone know such a livedistro, or can anybody suggest a different
> > method for my installation?
> >
> > This is the machine:
> > http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=280282897816
> >
> 
> Have you considered using one of the usb distros available. I think
> it's easy to configure ssh with a know password. Have a look at
> http://www.pendrivelinux.com/. Haven't booted a linux from usb myself,
> but I think it should work?

I realized that there are two kinds of usb distros: the livecd derived
distros, that behave like livecds mounting the system in ram (thos don't
allow permanent changes) and real distros residing on a usb stick.

I need one of those.

The main problem is that most of usb distros are 32 bit, while I'd like
to install a 64 bit system (so no chroot available).

Probably the easiest way wold be to edit a livecd iso and remaster it...
Systemrescuecd wold be perfect. Any hints of where to look for
documentation about that?

> 
> Regards
> Dirk
> 

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Re: [gentoo-user] Headless gentoo install

[Nicolas Sebrecht]

On Fri, Nov 14, 2008 at 02:25:19PM +0100, Momesso Andrea wrote:

> The main problem is that most of usb distros are 32 bit, while I'd like
> to install a 64 bit system (so no chroot available).

But you could build a temporary minimal 32 bits system which can serve
to build a 64 bits one.

Probably not the best way to get it however.

-- 
Nicolas Sebrecht

Re: [gentoo-user] Headless gentoo install

[KH]

Momesso Andrea schrieb:
>   
>
> Probably the easiest way wold be to edit a livecd iso and remaster it...
> Systemrescuecd wold be perfect. Any hints of where to look for
> documentation about that?
>
>   

Hi,

try those:

http://www.gentoo-wiki.info/HOWTO_build_a_LiveCD_with_Catalyst_for_newbies
http://www.gentoo-wiki.info/HOWTO_build_a_LiveCD_with_Catalyst

kh

Re: [gentoo-user] Headless gentoo install

[Stroller]

On 14 Nov 2008, at 12:05, Momesso Andrea wrote:
> I need to install gentoo on an headless server.
> ...
>
> I know for sure that both the gentoo livecd and systemrescuecd need  
> user
> interaction to setup ssh (at least I have to choose a root password).
>
> I think it won't be too difficoult to do it blind:
> - Insert cd
> - Poweron the machine
> - Wait a while
> - Type "passwd" "******" "******" "/etc/init.d/net.sshd restart"

Assuming you have physical access to the machine, I'd just do it this  
way & quit worrying about it. ;)

You can boot a spare machine with another identical livecd at the same  
time so you can see what _should_ be on the screen, and it's not like  
it's a problem if you have to reboot the PC a few times to get it right.

Now, if the machine is at a remote location & you don't have access to  
reboot it, then it might be a bit more of a problem...

Stroller.

[gentoo-user] Re: Headless gentoo install

[Grant Edwards]

On 2008-11-14, Momesso Andrea <momesso.andrea@gmail.com> wrote:

> I need to install gentoo on an headless server. The problem is
> that I cannot attach a video on it at all, neither for the
> installation.

Use a serial console.

-- 
Grant Edwards                   grante             Yow! !  Now I understand
                                  at               advanced MICROBIOLOGY and
                               visi.com            th' new TAX REFORM laws!!