Installing linux never has been so easy. HP developed LinuxCOE, where a user could choose some basic options through a web interface, and a small (30MB or less) ISO image is created that can be used for a "hands-free" installation using either Kickstart, AutoYAST, or the Debian Preseed autoinstallers. It is useful when installing in a network environment.
Here is a step by step guide to generate your ISO installer from the web interface:
Visit http://www.instalinux.com and:
Step 1:
Write your Hostname or IP and choose a destribution from the list box. Unfortunately the only supported distributions are:
- Debian 3.1 - i386
- Debian 3.2 - i386
- Fedora Core4 - i386
- Fedora Core4 - x86_64
- SuSE 10.0 - i386
- SuSE 9.3 - i386
- SuSE 9.3 - x86_64
- Ubuntu Breezy - i386
- Ubuntu Hoary - i386
Step 2:
There is only one choice for the System Profile field and only one choice for the Boot Image field, so I'll skip them.
In the Install Method field there are 3 choices. If you already have CDs of your distribution, choose the CDROM option else choose FTP or HTTP. HTTP is preferred for Network install. In the Subnet mask field write your subnet mask in my case 255.255.255.0, I choose to run my own name server so I write the IP of my machine, but you can write the IP of your internet provider's name server. For the Gateway I have a router with internal IP 10.0.0.1 and my machine is connected to that router. For the network interface, "eth0" is the default and I don't think you need to change it unless your machine has more than one network card.
Step 3: Localizations
In this step you have to choose some localization options. Here is my choices:
- Select a network from which to download: I choose mirrors.kernel.org
- TimeZone: - default US/Pacific: I choose Europe/Copenhagen
- Hardware clock set to UTC: I choose Yes
- Select Language: Danish
- Additional Language Support: I choose English(USA)
- Select Keyboard: I choose Danish
- Select Mouse: Generic - 3 Botton Mouse (PS/2)
Step 4:
In this step you have to choose what packages you need to install. You have to choose at least the "Base", "Administration Tools" and "Gnome".
You have also to choose patching options and the partition method in this step:
I choose to apply all current patches and to patch weekly with the up2date tool. For the partition method I choose simple.
Step 5:
In this step I choose the default setting. For the Swap space it is recommended to set it to 2x your RAM size.
Step 6:
In this step you are asked to confirm you choices and to give a password for the root account and to create a normal user.
BE CAREFUL: You have to change the password for your root account after installing linux (This is for your good).
Step 7:
This is the last step. Just download your ISO file and make a bootable CD.
That's all. Now you put your CD in the drive and start linux installation.
Enjoy.
Here is a step by step guide to generate your ISO installer from the web interface:
Visit http://www.instalinux.com and:
Step 1:
Write your Hostname or IP and choose a destribution from the list box. Unfortunately the only supported distributions are:
- Debian 3.1 - i386
- Debian 3.2 - i386
- Fedora Core4 - i386
- Fedora Core4 - x86_64
- SuSE 10.0 - i386
- SuSE 9.3 - i386
- SuSE 9.3 - x86_64
- Ubuntu Breezy - i386
- Ubuntu Hoary - i386
Step 2:
There is only one choice for the System Profile field and only one choice for the Boot Image field, so I'll skip them.
In the Install Method field there are 3 choices. If you already have CDs of your distribution, choose the CDROM option else choose FTP or HTTP. HTTP is preferred for Network install. In the Subnet mask field write your subnet mask in my case 255.255.255.0, I choose to run my own name server so I write the IP of my machine, but you can write the IP of your internet provider's name server. For the Gateway I have a router with internal IP 10.0.0.1 and my machine is connected to that router. For the network interface, "eth0" is the default and I don't think you need to change it unless your machine has more than one network card.
Step 3: Localizations
In this step you have to choose some localization options. Here is my choices:
- Select a network from which to download: I choose mirrors.kernel.org
- TimeZone: - default US/Pacific: I choose Europe/Copenhagen
- Hardware clock set to UTC: I choose Yes
- Select Language: Danish
- Additional Language Support: I choose English(USA)
- Select Keyboard: I choose Danish
- Select Mouse: Generic - 3 Botton Mouse (PS/2)
Step 4:
In this step you have to choose what packages you need to install. You have to choose at least the "Base", "Administration Tools" and "Gnome".
You have also to choose patching options and the partition method in this step:
I choose to apply all current patches and to patch weekly with the up2date tool. For the partition method I choose simple.
Step 5:
In this step I choose the default setting. For the Swap space it is recommended to set it to 2x your RAM size.
Step 6:
In this step you are asked to confirm you choices and to give a password for the root account and to create a normal user.
BE CAREFUL: You have to change the password for your root account after installing linux (This is for your good).
Step 7:
This is the last step. Just download your ISO file and make a bootable CD.
That's all. Now you put your CD in the drive and start linux installation.
Enjoy.