From owner-freebsd-hackers@FreeBSD.ORG Fri Oct 26 20:56:44 2007 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-hackers@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.freebsd.org (mx1.freebsd.org [IPv6:2001:4f8:fff6::34]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id C5ADD16A417 for ; Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:56:44 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from tching@arraynetworks.net) Received: from Exchange.arraynetworks.net (mail.arraynetworks.net [12.22.49.71]) by mx1.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id A4E0D13C4B2 for ; Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:56:44 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from tching@arraynetworks.net) Content-class: urn:content-classes:message Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:56:42 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message-ID: In-Reply-To: X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft Exchange V6.5 X-MS-Has-Attach: X-MS-TNEF-Correlator: Thread-Topic: boot loader Thread-Index: AcgYEWYohIfy8K8xQDOYPQY6jslLTQAAHGGw From: "Thomas Ching" To: "Doug Barton" X-Mailman-Approved-At: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:32:49 +0000 Cc: freebsd-hackers@freebsd.org, freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: RE: boot loader X-BeenThere: freebsd-hackers@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5 Precedence: list List-Id: Technical Discussions relating to FreeBSD List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:56:44 -0000 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 This .signature sanitized for your protection