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I have a few customized Ubuntu ISOs (based in Ubuntu 12.04) that I need to install in a SBC embedded in an enclosure. Until now, I have to open the enclosure, connect a screen, keyboard and a USB installer every time the ISO needs updated. The user needs to manually introduce data during the installation.

I was hoping to use the network card to install the ISO.

I've read the Ubuntu installation guide. In my situation, without a keyboard or screen, I think the installation over ssh is the only available solution. However, it's a very manual process and I would have to redo lots of configuration and packing done to create the ISOs.

Is there a way to run a PXE server and run the installation from it like I was using ssh -X to forward the screen?

Any pointers to a solution are welcome, including the use of additional hardware.

I had partial success with FOG. I can clone and restore the system using the network card only. I can also add an ISO image as part of the boot menu. I couldn't get the right settings to automatically boot from it, accept my custom preseed file and then use a kickstart file for the rest of the questions that my preseed is still going to ask.

Edit: A similar question was asked here. The main difference is that I don't have access to serial or USB ports, therefore the currently accepted answer is not valid for me. I do have a working installation from the first deployment and an ssh installation is possible in my system. I was hoping for something automated to avoid mistakes. Using my existing ISO files and ideally, something that someone with no experience in Linux could do.

Katu
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1 Answers1

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PXE is the way to go here , however your device will need to support network booting and have that enabled in the BIOS. Most devices with built in ethernet can do it now but some of the cheaper versions have it disabled.

There are instructions on setting up your PXE environemnt here, its quite involved and tricky to test so i won't both paraphrasing them here.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DisklessUbuntuHowto

however that site seems to have problems at the moment so here is the google cached version of that page.

https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:V2iecgLFBSEJ:https://help.ubuntu.com/community/DisklessUbuntuHowto+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk&client=ubuntu

Amias
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