Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:56:42 -0700 From: "Thomas Ching" <tching@arraynetworks.net> To: "Doug Barton" <dougb@FreeBSD.org> Cc: freebsd-hackers@freebsd.org, freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: RE: boot loader Message-ID: <BBBF2B6511353C4CAABD39BFAC8CB4F10167CED7@Exchange.arraynetworks.net> In-Reply-To: <alpine.BSF.0.9999.0710261340150.75470@qbhto.arg>
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Thanks Doug for your help. I am cc'ing freebsd-questions and I will drop
freebsd-hackers from the next email on.
A few things:
1. it's not a requirement, but I'd like to keep the current partitions
(therefore dual boot) just in case anything goes wrong.
2. can you point me to more readings regarding how I might perform the
following: " However in order to set the new slice bootable you'd have
to then use the disk editor"
3. I guess what you are saying is that if I go with the upgrade path
release 4->5->6, I can do "in place" upgrade over network.
Again appreciate your help.
Thomas=20
-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Barton [mailto:dougb@FreeBSD.org]=20
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 1:47 PM
To: Thomas Ching
Cc: freebsd-hackers@freebsd.org
Subject: Re: boot loader
FYI, for future reference this question is really more appropriate for=20
freebsd-questions@freebsd.org.
On Fri, 26 Oct 2007, Thomas Ching wrote:
> Hi, I am trying to do the following with existing systems running 4.5.
> I'd really appreciate if anyone has any hints, pointers, opinions, or
> even just "you should talk to this other group" for me.
>
> 1. Existing system: FreeBSD 4.5 based with FreeBSD boot loader
> (boot0) in MBR
You're not planning to dual-boot anything, right? Just boot and run one=20
operating system?
> 2. I am trying to install a new software based on either FreeBSD
> 6.2 or later, or LINUX with the following restrictions:
>
> a. No console access
> b. No media access other than serial port, Ethernet,
> existing HD with 4.5 installed (i.e. NO CD/DVD, floppy, USB....etc)
>
> 3. The hard drive (1) has enough empty space (currently not
> partitioned/used) so I can create a new slice to put the new
OS/software
> in and boot from the new OS, but I am not sure how I can achieve that.
You definitely can't use any of the standard installation methods
without=20
console access. You also can't dual boot without console access.
> 1. Is it possible for me to boot of FreeBSD 4.5 and "run an
> installation over Ethernet/ftp"?
No.
> 2. Is it possible for me to "tar up a FreeBSD 6.2" partition, put
> onto the 4.5 disk (new partition) then "sysinstall" (or something like
> that) to make the system boot from the new partition?
You could theoretically install onto a local system, tar it up, then=20
unpack it in the unused partition on your remote machine, yes. However
in=20
order to set the new slice bootable you'd have to then use the disk=20
editor, and if you get even one thing the tiniest bit wrong, you've=20
bricked it.
If I were in your position I'd do this with make world, but that's going
to take a looooooooong time because you'll first have to update to the=20
latest RELENG_4, then 5-stable, then 6-stable (at least) and then if you
don't want to have to do this again for a while I'd update to 7.0 when
it=20
is released.
The other alternative is to bribe someone who is local to do the=20
installation for you, which all things considered would probably be
easier=20
all around.
hope this helps,
Doug
--=20
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