Remark

Linux Diskless Client - Linux Net PC

• Supported software on client: all applications installed on server (including X Windows)
• Harddisk space needed on server:
  • common, for ALL clients: about 10MB
  • extra space for each client: very little, enough to hold clients /tmp directory
• Easy Admin
  • client gets all data via bootp and nfs
  • one configuration on server, no installation or configuration on client
• Boot from
  • network card with Bootprom
  • local floppy
  • via loadlin from MS Dos/MS Windows
• Client - any PC which can run Linux (i386 and up, tested with Kernels 2.0.x and 2.2.x)
  • i386 with 4 MB - enough to start shell
  • i486 with 8 MB - enough to start X
  • pentium with 32 MB - run almost every application

Install

Download

• the current version: nfs-root-000303.tar.gz (~35k) - works with SuSE 6.3
• a short script to create the file /etc/bootptab create.bootptab
• the old versions:
  • nfs-root-990401.tar.gz (~27k) with glibcsupport
  • nfs-root-981125.tar.gz (~40k) This version doesn´t work with S.u.S.E. > 6.0 or other glibc based systems
• Copyright a copy of the GNU General Public License
• for a quick start: some kernels for ne1000/2000 and 3Com59x/90x cards
  (please use "Save Link as" to get)
  • kernel 2.0.33 (~425k)
  • kernel 2.2.3 (~582k)
  • kernel 2.2.13 (~550k)

Comments/Disclaimer

• I would appreciate (but do NOT REQUIRE) that any changes (bugs, new features or spelling errors) be sent to me for inspection, discussion and possible inclusion into the next version.
• This setup and the scripts arent very good. Maybe some ideas are wrong and wont work with your configuration. But they work for me and some others.
• This setup was tested with S.u.S.E. Linux for i386 Version 4.3 - 6.3.. It should work with other distributions and other cpus, but minor (?) corrections may be necessary - please mail any needed changes

Copyright

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