We are setting up a network with Linux and need some help. We are attempting to remote (network) boot the Win95 systems that we already have as clients for our Linux server. The problem is this: We have been looking into using ROM chips plugged into the network cards on the clients, but commercial solutions are too expensive. We could burn the ROMs ourselves, but we have no program to burn in.
We were wondering if anyone could help us find a less expensive / difficult solution. The idea has come that it might be possible to use a mini-dist. of Linux as a OS to boot the system. It then might be possible to put into the startup script a set of commands which would start up the network card, use DHCP or BOOTP to get IP information (or we could assign static IPs if necessary), then have the Win 95 image be downloaded into memory (and swap space) where it could replace the running Linux kernel and boot as if it were the only operating system there. Please keep in mind that we are an educational institution (SNVTC, a school in Las Vegas, NV) and that any money we spend will be out of pocket as the school system wants NT/NetWare and will not spend ANY money on our cause. This system, once operational, will be used to show the abilities and cost-effectiveness of Linux solutions. Should this network succeed, the entire school system could easily be convinced to switch to Linux. How's that for a community victory? Sincerely yours, Eric Richard Monson ____________________________________________________________________ More than just email--Get your FREE Netscape WebMail account today at http://home.netscape.com/netcenter/mail