It is possible to have your machine boot from the network?

[Adul]

Via some sort of linux server. That way we can eliminate the video card and floppy drive. Just would need a plain old nic. Is it possible kilowatt?

 

[Sukhoi]

I believe you need to put a custom ROM on the NIC.

 

[tim0thy]

i'm not too familiar with linux, but i know that there are some nic cards that allow for BOOTP (bootstrap) and you can boot through the network and then probably run a DOS client.

i think you're trying to create a linux dummy terminal

 

[TwoFace]

It is certainly possible Adul, but AFAIK Klinux doesn't support it. From what I've gathered of bits and pieces here and there you can boot from network one of two ways (three maybe):

1. With a bootprom and some sort of NFS (Network File System)
2. With a bootdisk and NFS
3. This is a guess but I think you might use a bootable CD-Rom and NFS too

I don't remember what features Kilowatt has planned for Klinux, but this is one that would TRULY ROCK

With love and respect your fellow TA member

Two-FaceMy stats:
RC5
OGR-25
Seti
Gamma Flux

 

[Adul]

I would love a feature to boot from a network server. Imagine the extra crack racks we could get.

 

[efun]

sure you just set up a dhcp server with your bootstrap and root mount available via tftp. Get an ethernet card like the 3com 905C and set it to boot from the network. You then configure yoru dhcp server to tell the boxes that they're tftp root its /home/node/ and your good to go.

 

[Adul]

I am not that experienced with linux, but it is worth a shot to try.

 

[SETIdude]

Adul, I'm pretty sure most mobos require a video card to POST.

 

[TwoFace]

SETIdude, there's a nifty little feature called "ignore all errors" or something to that effect in most bios' (plural of bios?!?! bii?) that supposedly will override the need of a video card if you ain't got one

At least that has been reported by some members in previous threads on the subject if I don't remember wrong

With love and respect your fellow TA member

Two-FaceMy stats:
RC5
OGR-25
Seti
Gamma Flux

 

[efun]

I dont know of any mobo that requires a video card to boot, ive used a bunch of them and never had a single complaint about no video card.

 

[SETIdude]

Ah well you learn something different each day.

I guess this is a good reason to NOT believe everything you read on a forum. People like me repeating false information

thanks guys

 

[ViRGE]

Adul, try asking cautery; he designed the Warpcore to boot off of some floppies, and a NIC.

 

[Adul]

cool. Now if I can get some extra pcs...