How to install SuSE 7.3 from SuSE.com?

[Rogue]

Okay, I downloaded the entire install of SuSE 7.3 from their FTP site (all 5+ GB of data). I've created a boot disk, but do I need to burn certain portions of what I downloaded to CD or what? Any help would be greatly appreciated. BTW, the only help I could find on their site for my "unsupported" version via download was how to install from an FTP site. Well, since I've got the files, I don't need to do that. How do I create CDs now?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Why not just setup an ftp server on your Windows machine and install via FTP off there? Your best bet would be to search the web to see if there is information out there on creating a SuSE cdrom, I know there is for OpenBSD. But watch out. It may be illegal to make the exact layout SuSE has on their cd.

 

[Rogue]

Damnit. I just want to install SuSE 7.3 so that I can learn Linux better. I don't want to pay the $80 asking price for SuSE 7.3 Pro just for the documentation. There has to be some better way. I can't obviously use IIS on WinXP and install from a local FTP server unless I actually am booted into WinXP, which I can't be when I boot to the SuSE boot floppy. I could do it if I had another computer in the house, but I don't. Anyone willing to burn me the SuSE 7.3 Pro disks or make them into ISOs and let me d/l them from somewhere?

 

[NorthenLove]

<< Damnit. I just want to install SuSE 7.3 so that I can learn Linux better. I don't want to pay the $80 asking price for SuSE 7.3 Pro just for the documentation. There has to be some better way. I can't obviously use IIS on WinXP and install from a local FTP server unless I actually am booted into WinXP, which I can't be when I boot to the SuSE boot floppy. I could do it if I had another computer in the house, but I don't. Anyone willing to burn me the SuSE 7.3 Pro disks or make them into ISOs and let me d/l them from somewhere? >>



Then maybe you shouldn't use SuSE if you don't have any intention to pay for it all. Go with Mandrake, RedHat, Redmond Linux. Or the harder distro's SlackWare,
Debian, if you truly wish to learn. Honestly I have never ever regretted paying for my copy of SuSE Pro. Plus it's nice knowing because of my purchase SuSE will be
around that much longer because I helped to support them by making that purchase.

 

[renfield33]

you can do a network install of suse remotely. i would say you wasted your time downloading 5+gig of data.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Just burn the relevant stuff to disk. You may be able to figure out what is relevant by what the things are called, Ive never looked at the SuSE ftp site or distribution so I cant give you a specific answer. Hopefully then the SuSE install is customizable enough to let you specify where to get each part from and you can then modify the directory structure in the install to fit your cd. Or just do an ftp install.

 

[manly]

<< you can do a network install of suse remotely. i would say you wasted your time downloading 5+gig of data. >>



Exactly. A typical FTP install only sucks about 500 MB of files (RPMs are nicely compressed).

The only case for wasting 5 GB of bandwidth (remember it may be free to the end user, but traffic is certainly not gratis) is if you're planning on hosting your own internal "mirror" for multiple client installations.

I do wish SuSE still offerred a 1 CD real Eval ISO, but they decided that business-wise, they wanted to push their retail distro. While financially they are still on shaky ground, it's good to see their unit growth last year in North America was strong.

I personally believe that within 2 years, the only significant distros left standing are Red Hat, SuSE, Mandrake and Debian. There will be plenty of other fringe distros, but if you're planning on a commercial distro at this point in the game, it's too late. Note that both SuSE and Mandrake aren't assured of survivial either, and Debian will always have limited commercial success (which isn't their goal anyway).