Re: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
On Tuesday 30 January 2001 05:57, Nathan Bockrath wrote: > I have this lovely task of configuring a large number of identical laptops, > and I am hoping that someone knows a way to do the install without running > through the gazillion dialog boxes on each one. Basically, the only > difference on each laptop is the IP address and the Hostname, all the other > configuration info should be the same. I just do not want to do this > install one by one... > > Has anybody done this? If so, please enlighten me... The problem with network installs is that laptops have slow network connections. If you get a recent model high-end laptop and a new/good CardBus Ethernet card then you can get 8MB/s at the cost of most of your CPU time. For that number I suggest using adapters to put the laptop drives in a desktop machine. However I suggest the following proceedure: Install the first machine with all required software. # this fills all unused space with zeros - easily compressed cat /dev/zero > /foo ; rm /foo Then do gzip -9 < /dev/hdb > file.gz Then for each hard drive do zcat file.gz > /dev/hdb Where /dev/hdb is the laptop drive mounted in a desktop. Gzipping usually helps because most machines have slow IO and fast CPUs. To make the OS notice the new partitioning do: echo w | fdisk /dev/hdb (should work, I haven't tried it - may need to use expect). Then use sed to change the IP addresses, names, etc. It should be easy to write a script to mount the new file system, run sed on the files, and umount it. Good luck! -- http://www.coker.com.au/bonnie++/ Bonnie++ hard drive benchmark http://www.coker.com.au/postal/ Postal SMTP/POP benchmark http://www.coker.com.au/projects.html Projects I am working on http://www.coker.com.au/~russell/ My home page
Re: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
On Tuesday 30 January 2001 05:57, Nathan Bockrath wrote: > I have this lovely task of configuring a large number of identical laptops, > and I am hoping that someone knows a way to do the install without running > through the gazillion dialog boxes on each one. Basically, the only > difference on each laptop is the IP address and the Hostname, all the other > configuration info should be the same. I just do not want to do this > install one by one... > > Has anybody done this? If so, please enlighten me... The problem with network installs is that laptops have slow network connections. If you get a recent model high-end laptop and a new/good CardBus Ethernet card then you can get 8MB/s at the cost of most of your CPU time. For that number I suggest using adapters to put the laptop drives in a desktop machine. However I suggest the following proceedure: Install the first machine with all required software. # this fills all unused space with zeros - easily compressed cat /dev/zero > /foo ; rm /foo Then do gzip -9 < /dev/hdb > file.gz Then for each hard drive do zcat file.gz > /dev/hdb Where /dev/hdb is the laptop drive mounted in a desktop. Gzipping usually helps because most machines have slow IO and fast CPUs. To make the OS notice the new partitioning do: echo w | fdisk /dev/hdb (should work, I haven't tried it - may need to use expect). Then use sed to change the IP addresses, names, etc. It should be easy to write a script to mount the new file system, run sed on the files, and umount it. Good luck! -- http://www.coker.com.au/bonnie++/ Bonnie++ hard drive benchmark http://www.coker.com.au/postal/ Postal SMTP/POP benchmark http://www.coker.com.au/projects.html Projects I am working on http://www.coker.com.au/~russell/ My home page -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
system imager: http://systemimager.sourceforge.net (I think)... J. On Tue, 30 Jan 2001, Jeffrey S. Coppock wrote: > I've seen this done by installing and tuning one system and then using a > program like "GHOST" to copy this disk image to the other machines. I > haven't done this, but I seen it done. > > jc > > On Mon, Jan 29, 2001 at 10:57:57PM -0600, Nathan Bockrath wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > I have this lovely task of configuring a large number of identical > > laptops, and I am hoping > > that someone knows a way to do the install without running through the > > gazillion dialog boxes > > on each one. Basically, the only difference on each laptop is the IP > > address and the Hostname, > > all the other configuration info should be the same. I just do not > > want to do this install one by one... > > > > Has anybody done this? If so, please enlighten me... > > > > Nate > > > -- > To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- Joshua S. Freeman | preferred email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] pgp public key: finger [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.threeofus.com -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
Re: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
I've seen this done by installing and tuning one system and then using a program like "GHOST" to copy this disk image to the other machines. I haven't done this, but I seen it done. jc On Mon, Jan 29, 2001 at 10:57:57PM -0600, Nathan Bockrath wrote: > Hi all, > > I have this lovely task of configuring a large number of identical > laptops, and I am hoping > that someone knows a way to do the install without running through the > gazillion dialog boxes > on each one. Basically, the only difference on each laptop is the IP > address and the Hostname, > all the other configuration info should be the same. I just do not > want to do this install one by one... > > Has anybody done this? If so, please enlighten me... > > Nate
Re: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
system imager: http://systemimager.sourceforge.net (I think)... J. On Tue, 30 Jan 2001, Jeffrey S. Coppock wrote: > I've seen this done by installing and tuning one system and then using a program >like "GHOST" to copy this disk image to the other machines. I haven't done this, but >I seen it done. > > jc > > On Mon, Jan 29, 2001 at 10:57:57PM -0600, Nathan Bockrath wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > I have this lovely task of configuring a large number of identical > > laptops, and I am hoping > > that someone knows a way to do the install without running through the > > gazillion dialog boxes > > on each one. Basically, the only difference on each laptop is the IP > > address and the Hostname, > > all the other configuration info should be the same. I just do not > > want to do this install one by one... > > > > Has anybody done this? If so, please enlighten me... > > > > Nate > > > -- > To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- Joshua S. Freeman | preferred email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] pgp public key: finger [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.threeofus.com -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
I've seen this done by installing and tuning one system and then using a program like "GHOST" to copy this disk image to the other machines. I haven't done this, but I seen it done. jc On Mon, Jan 29, 2001 at 10:57:57PM -0600, Nathan Bockrath wrote: > Hi all, > > I have this lovely task of configuring a large number of identical > laptops, and I am hoping > that someone knows a way to do the install without running through the > gazillion dialog boxes > on each one. Basically, the only difference on each laptop is the IP > address and the Hostname, > all the other configuration info should be the same. I just do not > want to do this install one by one... > > Has anybody done this? If so, please enlighten me... > > Nate -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
There seems to be another tool called System Imager made by VA Linux Systems. Its on sourceforge. -=Francois=- On Mon, 29 Jan 2001, Nathan Bockrath wrote: > Hi all, > > I have this lovely task of configuring a large number of identical laptops, > and I am hoping > that someone knows a way to do the install without running through the > gazillion dialog boxes > on each one. Basically, the only difference on each laptop is the IP address > and the Hostname, > all the other configuration info should be the same. I just do not want to > do this install one by one... > > Has anybody done this? If so, please enlighten me... > > Nate >
RE: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
hi, instead of ghost bpbach (http://www.bpbatch.org) seems to be a good alternative. They use it at university where I'm studying (okay not for linux but they thold me it's written vfor linux in the first place). On Tue, 30 Jan 2001, Binary wrote: > > Hi, If you have a 2,5" to 3,5" drive adapter you can install one of the > laptops, and with a desktop computer clone this harddisk to the disks of > the other 99 laptops. You can use the DOS utility GHOST (works pretty with > ext2) or with tar if the desktop works in linux. You only need an aditional > boot disk for the reinstall of the lilo in each laptop and change the > hostname and ip. > > good luck > -Original Message- > From: Nathan Bockrath [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: martes 30 de enero de 2001 4:58 > To: debian laptop list > Subject: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops > > Hi all, > > I have this lovely task of configuring a large number of identical laptops, > and I am hoping > that someone knows a way to do the install without running through the > gazillion dialog boxes > on each one. Basically, the only difference on each laptop is the IP > address and the Hostname, > all the other configuration info should be the same. I just do not want > to do this install one by one... > > Has anybody done this? If so, please enlighten me... > > Nate > << File: ATT2.html >> > > > -- > To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > --- Andor Demarteau [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---
Re: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
There seems to be another tool called System Imager made by VA Linux Systems. Its on sourceforge. -=Francois=- On Mon, 29 Jan 2001, Nathan Bockrath wrote: > Hi all, > > I have this lovely task of configuring a large number of identical laptops, and I am >hoping > that someone knows a way to do the install without running through the gazillion >dialog boxes > on each one. Basically, the only difference on each laptop is the IP address and the >Hostname, > all the other configuration info should be the same. I just do not want to do this >install one by one... > > Has anybody done this? If so, please enlighten me... > > Nate > -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
hi, instead of ghost bpbach (http://www.bpbatch.org) seems to be a good alternative. They use it at university where I'm studying (okay not for linux but they thold me it's written vfor linux in the first place). On Tue, 30 Jan 2001, Binary wrote: > > Hi, If you have a 2,5" to 3,5" drive adapter you can install one of the > laptops, and with a desktop computer clone this harddisk to the disks of > the other 99 laptops. You can use the DOS utility GHOST (works pretty with > ext2) or with tar if the desktop works in linux. You only need an aditional > boot disk for the reinstall of the lilo in each laptop and change the > hostname and ip. > > good luck > -Original Message- > From: Nathan Bockrath [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: martes 30 de enero de 2001 4:58 > To: debian laptop list > Subject: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops > > Hi all, > > I have this lovely task of configuring a large number of identical laptops, > and I am hoping > that someone knows a way to do the install without running through the > gazillion dialog boxes > on each one. Basically, the only difference on each laptop is the IP > address and the Hostname, > all the other configuration info should be the same. I just do not want > to do this install one by one... > > Has anybody done this? If so, please enlighten me... > > Nate > << File: ATT2.html >> > > > -- > To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > --- Andor Demarteau [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
> " " == Binary <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > Hi, If you have a 2,5" to 3,5" drive adapter you can install > one of the laptops, and with a desktop computer clone this > harddisk to the disks of the other 99 laptops. You can use the > DOS utility GHOST (works pretty with ext2) or with tar if the > desktop works in linux. You only need an aditional boot disk > for the reinstall of the lilo in each laptop and change the > hostname and ip. Or do the same via network. You need to setup one maschine and have it run read-only. Single user mode + sshd is fine. Then you build a small ramdisk with ssh on it that connects to the server and dd's the harddrive over. Of cause you could make an image and place it on an existing server instead of running one laptop as server in readonly mode. MfG Goswin
RE: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
Hi, If you have a 2,5" to 3,5" drive adapter you can install one of the laptops, and with a desktop computer clone this harddisk to the disks of the other 99 laptops. You can use the DOS utility GHOST (works pretty with ext2) or with tar if the desktop works in linux. You only need an aditional boot disk for the reinstall of the lilo in each laptop and change the hostname and ip. good luck -Original Message- From: Nathan Bockrath [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: martes 30 de enero de 2001 4:58 To: debian laptop list Subject:Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops Hi all, I have this lovely task of configuring a large number of identical laptops, and I am hoping that someone knows a way to do the install without running through the gazillion dialog boxes on each one. Basically, the only difference on each laptop is the IP address and the Hostname, all the other configuration info should be the same. I just do not want to do this install one by one... Has anybody done this? If so, please enlighten me... Nate << File: ATT2.html >>
Re: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
> " " == Binary <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > Hi, If you have a 2,5" to 3,5" drive adapter you can install > one of the laptops, and with a desktop computer clone this > harddisk to the disks of the other 99 laptops. You can use the > DOS utility GHOST (works pretty with ext2) or with tar if the > desktop works in linux. You only need an aditional boot disk > for the reinstall of the lilo in each laptop and change the > hostname and ip. Or do the same via network. You need to setup one maschine and have it run read-only. Single user mode + sshd is fine. Then you build a small ramdisk with ssh on it that connects to the server and dd's the harddrive over. Of cause you could make an image and place it on an existing server instead of running one laptop as server in readonly mode. MfG Goswin -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
Hi Nathan! You might want to take a look at FAI (Fully Automatic Installation), which is located here: www.informatik.uni-koeln.de/fai I never tried it, but it seems to work. Bye, Fx -- Hear your drummer!
RE: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
Hi, If you have a 2,5" to 3,5" drive adapter you can install one of the laptops, and with a desktop computer clone this harddisk to the disks of the other 99 laptops. You can use the DOS utility GHOST (works pretty with ext2) or with tar if the desktop works in linux. You only need an aditional boot disk for the reinstall of the lilo in each laptop and change the hostname and ip. good luck -Original Message- From: Nathan Bockrath [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: martes 30 de enero de 2001 4:58 To: debian laptop list Subject:Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops Hi all, I have this lovely task of configuring a large number of identical laptops, and I am hoping that someone knows a way to do the install without running through the gazillion dialog boxes on each one. Basically, the only difference on each laptop is the IP address and the Hostname, all the other configuration info should be the same. I just do not want to do this install one by one... Has anybody done this? If so, please enlighten me... Nate << File: ATT2.html >> -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Configuring 100 identical Debian Laptops
Hi Nathan! You might want to take a look at FAI (Fully Automatic Installation), which is located here: www.informatik.uni-koeln.de/fai I never tried it, but it seems to work. Bye, Fx -- Hear your drummer! -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
