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USB server install problem

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  USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-01-30 08:19 -0800
    Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-01-30 08:52 -0800
    Re: USB server install problem Dan Purgert <dan@djph.net> - 2019-01-30 17:27 +0000
      Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-01-30 09:48 -0800
        Re: USB server install problem Dan Purgert <dan@djph.net> - 2019-01-30 18:15 +0000
          Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-01-30 10:25 -0800
            Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-01-30 10:45 -0800
            Re: USB server install problem "Cybe R. Wizard" <cybe_r_wizard@WizardsTower.invalid> - 2019-01-30 14:55 -0600
              Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-01-30 13:03 -0800
                Re: USB server install problem "Cybe R. Wizard" <cybe_r_wizard@WizardsTower.invalid> - 2019-01-30 15:47 -0600
                  Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-01-30 16:00 -0800
                    Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-01-30 16:20 -0800
                      Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-01-30 17:01 -0800
                        Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-01 07:00 -0800
                          Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-01 09:01 -0800
                            Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-01 11:04 -0800
                          Re: USB server install problem Lucifer <LuciferMorningstar@bigpond.com> - 2019-02-02 06:17 +1100
                            Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-01 11:47 -0800
                      Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-01-30 17:19 -0800
                Re: USB server install problem Pascal Hambourg <pascal@plouf.fr.eu.org> - 2019-02-02 08:55 +0100
                  Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-02 01:05 -0800
                    Re: USB server install problem Paul <nospam@needed.invalid> - 2019-02-02 10:50 -0500
                      Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-02 08:39 -0800
                    Re: USB server install problem Pascal Hambourg <pascal@plouf.fr.eu.org> - 2019-02-02 21:38 +0100
                      Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-03 14:01 -0800
                        Re: USB server install problem Pascal Hambourg <pascal@plouf.fr.eu.org> - 2019-02-04 21:58 +0100
                          Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-04 15:33 -0800
                            Re: USB server install problem Dan Purgert <dan@djph.net> - 2019-02-05 12:29 +0000
                              Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-05 09:34 -0800
                                Re: USB server install problem Pascal Hambourg <pascal@plouf.fr.eu.org> - 2019-02-05 20:27 +0100
                            Re: USB server install problem Pascal Hambourg <pascal@plouf.fr.eu.org> - 2019-02-05 20:29 +0100
                              Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-05 13:04 -0800
                                Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-05 13:29 -0800
                                Re: USB server install problem Pascal Hambourg <pascal@plouf.fr.eu.org> - 2019-02-05 23:44 +0100
                                  Re: USB server install problem Pascal Hambourg <pascal@plouf.fr.eu.org> - 2019-02-05 23:47 +0100
                                    Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-05 15:58 -0800
                                  Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-05 16:16 -0800
                                    Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-05 16:57 -0800
                                      Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-02-05 17:25 -0800
                                        Re: USB server install problem Pascal Hambourg <pascal@plouf.fr.eu.org> - 2019-02-06 20:17 +0100
            Re: USB server install problem Dan Purgert <dan@djph.net> - 2019-01-30 21:44 +0000
              Re: USB server install problem Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> - 2019-01-30 21:56 +0000
                Re: USB server install problem Dan Purgert <dan@djph.net> - 2019-01-30 22:04 +0000
            Re: USB server install problem Pascal Hambourg <pascal@plouf.fr.eu.org> - 2019-02-02 08:52 +0100
          Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-01-30 12:32 -0800
    Re: USB server install problem Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> - 2019-01-30 12:03 -0800

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#53386 — USB server install problem

This regards installing Ubuntu 16.04 server .iso* to USB.

Unlike the desktop distro, the Ub server distro does not come in an 
'operational' live boot.  Instead the server .iso comes up as a live 
install boot.  Since I wanted a live server boot, preferably one with 
persistence, I decided to install the server distro to USB.

To that end, at first I wrote the .iso to USB in linux with mkusb**. 
Then I booted that usb and used its prompts to install the server .iso 
to another USB.  When that didn't work out (wouldn't boot at all) for me 
and since I had less experience with mkusb*3  than with Win usb-writer 
Rufus, I switched to a rufus-written usb to boot to make the installed 
usb.

That didn't work either.

The sequence of events for writing the install USB was exactly as the 
following 15 step article describes.

https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-install-ubuntu-server#0 
Unlike the installation of Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Server does not 
include a graphical installation program. Instead, it uses a text 
menu-based process. ... This guide will provide an overview of the 
installation from either a DVD or a USB flash drive.


I might add that also unlike the desktop versions. the user does not 
have access to such as GPartEd during the install.  Generally for a 
desktop, I prefer to boot the live, use GPartEd to prepare the target 
disk for the installation, and then use the installer to the prepared 
target as opposed to letting the installer be in charge of that 'whole 
disk' installation strategy.

The install from the Rufus usb also went the same as the referred 
article and also failed to boot; it seemed to me that the boot manager 
part was inop.  The article and my experience never say anything about 
'where should the installer put the boot manager' so I'm *assuming* the 
installer wants to put the boot manager on the target, since part of the 
installation process shows a little part for boot on the target.

I tried again by preparing the target USB with GPartEd before trying to 
use the live server install, but that also failed.

There are other articles online about how to make an installed version 
of a server on USB that are quite different from the cited article.  I 
think that next I'll try to do it that way, which is somewhat 
'roundabout' IMO.


* https://www.ubuntu.com/download/server Ubuntu Server 18.04.1 LTS
** https://help.ubuntu.com/community/mkusb mkusb - tool to create boot 
drives
*3 I just use it as one of my options for writing live USBs with 
persistence, the other option being Win Yumi


-- 
Mike Easter

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#53387

Mike Easter wrote:
> There are other articles online about how to make an installed version 
> of a server on USB that are quite different from the cited article.

Examples:
https://askubuntu.com/questions/203052/how-can-i-install-ubuntu-server-on-a-usb-stick 
  How can I install Ubuntu server on a USB stick?

https://askubuntu.com/questions/1074548/how-to-install-a-bootable-server-on-a-usb-disk 
  How to install a bootable server on a USB disk? [duplicate]

Very long 2012 story: 
https://askubuntu.com/questions/97153/install-ubuntu-server-to-a-flash-drive-permanently/109481#109481 
  Install Ubuntu Server to a flash drive, permanently


IMO the first two are poor and the old last one is daunting.

-- 
Mike Easter

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#53388

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Hash: SHA256

Mike Easter wrote:
> [...]
> Unlike the desktop distro, the Ub server distro does not come in an 
> 'operational' live boot.  Instead the server .iso comes up as a live 
> install boot.  Since I wanted a live server boot, preferably one with 
> persistence, I decided to install the server distro to USB.

Why?  What good comes of this?

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-- 
|_|O|_| 
|_|_|O| Github: https://github.com/dpurgert
|O|O|O| PGP: 05CA 9A50 3F2E 1335 4DC5  4AEE 8E11 DDF3 1279 A281

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#53389

Dan Purgert wrote:

> Mike Easter wrote:
>> [...]
>> Unlike the desktop distro, the Ub server distro does not come in an
>> 'operational' live boot.  Instead the server .iso comes up as a live
>> install boot.  Since I wanted a live server boot, preferably one with
>> persistence, I decided to install the server distro to USB.
> 
> Why?  What good comes of this?

I wanted to play with the AH concept of using a caldev and samba server 
for a LAN without using a desktop distro to do so; using the Ub server 
v. instead.  I was going to enhance the Ub server with some lightweight 
WM such as openbox and GUI as described in one of my earlier links, then 
use Radicale for the caldev.

After I did it with the gui enhanced Ub server, I was going to do it 
with the Slackware/Slax SMS; radicale also comes with a slackware package.


-- 
Mike Easter

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#53393

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA256

Mike Easter wrote:
> Dan Purgert wrote:
>
>> Mike Easter wrote:
>>> [...]
>>> Unlike the desktop distro, the Ub server distro does not come in an
>>> 'operational' live boot.  Instead the server .iso comes up as a live
>>> install boot.  Since I wanted a live server boot, preferably one with
>>> persistence, I decided to install the server distro to USB.
>> 
>> Why?  What good comes of this?
>
> I wanted to play with the AH concept of using a caldev and samba server 
> for a LAN without using a desktop distro to do so; using the Ub server 
> v. instead.  I was going to enhance the Ub server with some lightweight 
> WM such as openbox and GUI as described in one of my earlier links, then 
> use Radicale for the caldev.

Is a VM out of the question?  Would be significantly easier than trying
to run the server off USB.  Not to mention, faster.



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-- 
|_|O|_| 
|_|_|O| Github: https://github.com/dpurgert
|O|O|O| PGP: 05CA 9A50 3F2E 1335 4DC5  4AEE 8E11 DDF3 1279 A281

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#53395

Dan Purgert wrote:
> Mike Easter wrote:
>>
>> I wanted to play with the AH concept of using a caldev and samba server
>> for a LAN without using a desktop distro to do so; using the Ub server
>> v. instead.  I was going to enhance the Ub server with some lightweight
>> WM such as openbox and GUI as described in one of my earlier links, then
>> use Radicale for the caldev.
> 
> Is a VM out of the question?  Would be significantly easier than trying
> to run the server off USB.  Not to mention, faster.
> 
Welll....

  - I have less experience with VMs than all kinds of 'tricks' with live USB
  - the USB or other, such as SD flash storage could alternatively be 
used on such as a Pi, which I have lying around purchased on sale and 
never unboxed.
  - I didn't think the business about installing an Ub server to USB 
should be any more difficult than installing an Ub desktop to USB.
  - I also think that Ub or Deb should make a server edition that is 
more like a desktop edition; with a lightweight DE/WM such as openbox 
and lacking all of the typical installed programs, sorta like pclos 
minime, except that comes with KDE and no apps instead of 'lightweight' DE


-- 
Mike Easter

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#53397

Mike Easter wrote:
> I also think that Ub or Deb should make a server edition that is more 
> like a desktop edition; with a lightweight DE/WM such as openbox and 
> lacking all of the typical installed programs, sorta like pclos minime, 
> except that comes with KDE and no apps instead of 'lightweight' DE

The support for that idea can be built from:

  - the recent Jesse Smith DW 'support' for how many people want a 
home/office server based on a desktop distro rather than a server 
distro, but a typical desktop has WAY too much junk installed not needed 
for a 'simple but graphical server
  - a rather complicated guide to installing pclos-minime to USB is way 
more complicated than installing the same distro to hard drive, which is 
'illogical' to me 
https://www.pendrivelinux.com/put-pclinuxos-on-a-flash-drive-via-linux/ 
Install PCLinuxOS MiniMe to a Flash Drive from CD

<after booting the live pclos-minime>

Open up a terminal and type fdisk -l (note which drive is your USB stick)
Type umount /dev/sdx1 (replacing x with your flash drive letter)
Type fdisk /dev/sdx (again replacing x with your device)

     Type p to show the existing partition and d to delete it
     Type p again to show any remaining partitions (if partitions exist, 
repeat the previous step to delete them)
     Type n to make a new partition
     Type p for primary partition
     type 1 to make this partition one
     hit enter to use the default first cylinder
     hit enter again to use the default last cyl
     type a to make this partition active
     type 1 to select partition 1
     type t to change it's file system
     type 6 to select the fat16 file system
     type w to write the new partition table

Type umount /dev/sdx1 (replacing x with your device) to unmount the 
partition
Type mkfs.vfat -F 16 -n usb /dev/sdx1 to format the first partition as 
fat (replace x with your flash drive)
Remove and reinsert your USB flash drive
Type mkdir /tmp/usb
Type mount /dev/sdx1 /tmp/usb (replace x with your USB drive)
Type mount /mnt/cdrom (or cdrom2 if you have more than one)
Type cd /mnt/cdrom (or cdrom2)
Type cp -rf livecd.sqfs isolinux/* /tmp/usb
Type cd /tmp/usb
Type mv isolinux.cfg syslinux.cfg
Type cd
Type umount /tmp/usb
Type syslinux -sf /dev/sdx1 (replacing x with your USB device)

-- 
Mike Easter

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#53406

On Wed, 30 Jan 2019 10:25:57 -0800
Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> wrote:

>  - I also think that Ub or Deb should make a server edition that is
> more like a desktop edition; with a lightweight DE/WM such as openbox
> and lacking all of the typical installed programs

Have you tried Debian's netinstall?  Get just what you want and nothing
more (except dependencies).

https://www.debian.org/distrib/netinst

Cybe R. Wizard
-- 
Debian Linux is a solid, comprehensive product, and a genuine pleasure
to use.  It is also great to become involved with the Debian collective,
whose friendliness and spirit recalls the early days of the Internet and
its sense of openness and global cooperation.
		?

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#53407

Cybe R. Wizard wrote:
> Mike Easter wrote:
> 
>>   - I also think that Ub or Deb should make a server edition that is
>> more like a desktop edition; with a lightweight DE/WM such as openbox
>> and lacking all of the typical installed programs
> 
> Have you tried Debian's netinstall?  Get just what you want and nothing
> more (except dependencies).
> 
> https://www.debian.org/distrib/netinst
> 
That doesn't facilitate the net installer installing to a bootable USB.

Installing to a bootable USB involves some 'tricks' which are not 
employed by the net installer nor the server installer.  Those 
installers 'think' (are designed to perform as if) they are installing 
to a conventional hdd.

I know how to put a net installer on a USB and boot it up to install to 
a hdd, but not net install to a USB.


-- 
Mike Easter

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#53409

On Wed, 30 Jan 2019 13:03:29 -0800
Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid> wrote:

> Cybe R. Wizard wrote:
> > Mike Easter wrote:
> >   
> >>   - I also think that Ub or Deb should make a server edition that
> >> is more like a desktop edition; with a lightweight DE/WM such as
> >> openbox and lacking all of the typical installed programs  
> > 
> > Have you tried Debian's netinstall?  Get just what you want and
> > nothing more (except dependencies).
> > 
> > https://www.debian.org/distrib/netinst
> >   
> That doesn't facilitate the net installer installing to a bootable
> USB.
> 
> Installing to a bootable USB involves some 'tricks' which are not
> employed by the net installer nor the server installer.  Those
> installers 'think' (are designed to perform as if) they are
> installing to a conventional hdd.
> 
> I know how to put a net installer on a USB and boot it up to install
> to a hdd, but not net install to a USB.
> 
I know Debian has what you need.  Well, hope.

How about a hybrid ISO or live install image (it says, "CD," but does
USB,too):
https://www.debian.org/CD/live/

Howto:
https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/amd64/ch04s03.html.en

Your choice of minimum DEs.

"VD/USB (via BitTorrent)
"Hybrid" ISO image files suitable for writing to DVD-R(W) media, and
also USB keys of the appropriate size." 

Cybe R. Wizard
-- 
"My other car is a Chandler MetalSmith Mark III."
	Carl Castanaveras
		"Emerald Eyes" by Daniel Keys Moran

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#53419

Cybe R. Wizard wrote:
> Mike Easter wrote:
> 
>> Cybe R. Wizard wrote:
>>> Mike Easter wrote:
>>>    
>>>>    - I also think that Ub or Deb should make a server edition that
>>>> is more like a desktop edition; with a lightweight DE/WM such as
>>>> openbox and lacking all of the typical installed programs
>>>
>>> Have you tried Debian's netinstall?  Get just what you want and
>>> nothing more (except dependencies).
>>>
>>> https://www.debian.org/distrib/netinst
>>>    
>> That doesn't facilitate the net installer installing to a bootable
>> USB.
>>
>> Installing to a bootable USB involves some 'tricks' which are not
>> employed by the net installer nor the server installer.  Those
>> installers 'think' (are designed to perform as if) they are
>> installing to a conventional hdd.
>>
>> I know how to put a net installer on a USB and boot it up to install
>> to a hdd, but not net install to a USB.
>>
> I know Debian has what you need.  Well, hope.
> 
> How about a hybrid ISO or live install image (it says, "CD," but does
> USB,too):
> https://www.debian.org/CD/live/

Live install images

All of those Deb .iso/s are DEs, Cinn, Gnome, KDE, LXDE,Mate, XFCE in 64 
& 32 bit.

> Howto:
> https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/amd64/ch04s03.html.en
> 
> Your choice of minimum DEs.
> 
> "VD/USB (via BitTorrent)
> "Hybrid" ISO image files suitable for writing to DVD-R(W) media, and
> also USB keys of the appropriate size."

As far as I can tell, unlike Ubuntu, Deb does not provide a 'server' 
.iso per se.  For servers they recommend using the net install which I 
would bet is as unable to net install to a USB as the Ub live server 
.iso is unable to install to a USB from the live server boot installer 
interface.

There is some useful Deb info at the howto link above.

4.3. Preparing Files for USB Memory Stick Booting
4.3.1. Preparing a USB stick using a hybrid CD or DVD image
4.3.2. Manually copying files to the USB stick
4.3.3. Manually copying files to the USB stick — the flexible way
4.3.3.1. Partitioning the USB stick
4.3.3.2. Adding the installer image

None of that serves to:
  - install any Debian, with or without DE to USB
  - shows me a Deb server .iso, they are all desktops

-- 
Mike Easter

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#53420

Mike Easter wrote:
> As far as I can tell, unlike Ubuntu, Deb does not provide a 'server' 
> .iso per se.  For servers they recommend using the net install which I 
> would bet is as unable to net install to a USB as the Ub live server 
> .iso is unable to install to a USB from the live server boot installer 
> interface.

As an example of how an Ub DE live boot has more power to install to a 
USB, here are instructions for using a live hybrid to install to USB.

The greater power comes from the ability to use GPartEd to manipulate 
the partition table, and to further use the more 'powerful' installation 
manager (not more powerful because it is graphical, but more powerful 
because it can do more things than the text based server installer, at 
least in my hands), and the graphical installer allows the user to 
direct installation of the boot manager, which the text installer does not,

2014 Sep: 
http://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2014/11/install-real-ubuntu-os-usb-drive/ 
  How to Install The Real Ubuntu System on USB Flash Drive

I would also remark, which I haven't yet figured out how to research 
further, the USB which was the result of the attempted install of the Ub 
server is not seen by GPartEd nor to fdisk -l nor the the Nemo file 
manager  including remove reinsert and couple of times.

-- 
Mike Easter

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#53422

Mike Easter wrote:
> how an Ub DE live boot has more power to install to a USB

Also to add to the Plan B using an Ub DE live boot; 18.04 Ubiquity 
installer (only seen in desktop DE .iso/s) also has the option to 
'minimal install'.  I haven't yet seen a series of screenshots for that, 
but it sounds like one could start with any of the main DE flavors of Ub 
18.04 and simply use a minimal install to the USB and eliminate all of 
those normal DE installed programs.



-- 
Mike Easter

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#53473

Mike Easter wrote:
> Also to add to the Plan B using an Ub DE live boot; 18.04 Ubiquity 
> installer (only seen in desktop DE .iso/s) also has the option to 
> 'minimal install'.  I haven't yet seen a series of screenshots for that, 
> but it sounds like one could start with any of the main DE flavors of Ub 
> 18.04 and simply use a minimal install to the USB and eliminate all of 
> those normal DE installed programs.

And so now/next I'm going to abandon plan B in favor of plan C.

Plan B was to install a minimal graphical Ub to USB.  There are plenty 
of examples around of instructions of how to do that, and also plenty of 
people who say that doesn't work out for them.

I join those who say it doesn't work out for me.  It would seem that it 
should work just using the Ubiquity installer as if the USB were a hdd. 
When that USB doesn't boot, then it seems that if the USB were properly 
prepared in terms of partitions and flags and mount points that it 
should work, but it doesn't for me.

In addition, I learn that the minimal installation which the Ub with DE 
(in my case Mate) offers to provide is accomplished by first installing 
everything just as if it were a regular Mate DE with abundant programs 
install, and then to remove all of the abundant programs considered not 
minimal.

So, my primary conclusion is that installing to USB is not as 
advertised, at least in my hands.  My secondary conclusion, also in my 
hands, is that writing an Ub .iso to USB with persistence and a separate 
data partition with mkusb is quite reliable and can also be booted live 
running in ram.  So, there is practically no advantage to installing to 
the USB.

I haven't yet practiced with using mkusb to write to a bootable SD for 
such as a raspberry pi.  The guides for Pi suggest using etcher with 
which I am not yet familiar; etcher comes in v./s for Win, Mac, and 
Linux.  But, it doesn't do persistence.

mkusb docs says: "You can use mkusb to create a USB boot drive or a 
memory card"

So, if one wanted an SD/ memory card/ of some variety for a Pi or 
similar, you could make it with mkusb with persistence.


-- 
Mike Easter

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#53477

Mike Easter wrote:
> So, if one wanted an SD/ memory card/ of some variety for a Pi or 
> similar, you could make it with mkusb with persistence.

But...

... my dusty-in-the-box R Pi 3B has 1G ram, so, whatever OS such as 
Raspbian were intended isn't quite the same as the Ub experiments, 
because not all of mkusb's capabilities such as persistence extend to 
other OSes besides Ub.  mkusb is installed most easily using an Ub + .ppa.

Since the Pi's USB is 2 and is ARM is 1.2, one would want a 'lean-ish' 
OS to run in ram.  My Pi kit came with an SD card with operational OS, 
which I haven't checked out yet as I would need to determine what 
display I would use for its HDMI.

For 'switfter' operation as a LAN server, a newer singleboard with USB 3 
would be better, depending on the purpose of the server.


-- 
Mike Easter

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#53480

Mike Easter wrote:
> My Pi kit came with an SD card with operational OS, which I haven't 
> checked out yet as I would need to determine what display I would use 
> for its HDMI.

Ewww.  I'm researching using an HDMI to VGA adapter to employ a spare 
VGA monitor I have also catching dust, and I'm finding out that making 
the Pi's hdmi happy with the monitor's vga isn't actually that simple as 
just 'hooking up'.

"The problem that still remains is that such adapters often don't pass 
through the edid monitor information that the PI needs to send the right 
signal to the monitor. so you need to figure out which resolution and 
refresh rate your monitor can support, and tell the system which 
settings to use, by providing the information though config.txt. "
https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=92333



-- 
Mike Easter

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#53481

On Fri, 1 Feb 2019 07:00:42 -0800, Mike Easter <MikeE@ster.invalid>
wrote:

>Mike Easter wrote:
>> Also to add to the Plan B using an Ub DE live boot; 18.04 Ubiquity 
>> installer (only seen in desktop DE .iso/s) also has the option to 
>> 'minimal install'.  I haven't yet seen a series of screenshots for that, 
>> but it sounds like one could start with any of the main DE flavors of Ub 
>> 18.04 and simply use a minimal install to the USB and eliminate all of 
>> those normal DE installed programs.
>
>And so now/next I'm going to abandon plan B in favor of plan C.
>
>Plan B was to install a minimal graphical Ub to USB.  There are plenty 
>of examples around of instructions of how to do that, and also plenty of 
>people who say that doesn't work out for them.
>
>I join those who say it doesn't work out for me.  It would seem that it 
>should work just using the Ubiquity installer as if the USB were a hdd. 
>When that USB doesn't boot, then it seems that if the USB were properly 
>prepared in terms of partitions and flags and mount points that it 
>should work, but it doesn't for me.
>
>In addition, I learn that the minimal installation which the Ub with DE 
>(in my case Mate) offers to provide is accomplished by first installing 
>everything just as if it were a regular Mate DE with abundant programs 
>install, and then to remove all of the abundant programs considered not 
>minimal.
>
>So, my primary conclusion is that installing to USB is not as 
>advertised, at least in my hands.  My secondary conclusion, also in my 
>hands, is that writing an Ub .iso to USB with persistence and a separate 
>data partition with mkusb is quite reliable and can also be booted live 
>running in ram.  So, there is practically no advantage to installing to 
>the USB.
>
>I haven't yet practiced with using mkusb to write to a bootable SD for 
>such as a raspberry pi.  The guides for Pi suggest using etcher with 
>which I am not yet familiar; etcher comes in v./s for Win, Mac, and 
>Linux.  But, it doesn't do persistence.
>
>mkusb docs says: "You can use mkusb to create a USB boot drive or a 
>memory card"
>
>So, if one wanted an SD/ memory card/ of some variety for a Pi or 
>similar, you could make it with mkusb with persistence.

I have a Solaris 11.3 live DVD that works.

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#53482

Lucifer wrote:
> Mike Easter wrote:
>>
>> So, if one wanted an SD/ memory card/ of some variety for a Pi or
>> similar, you could make it with mkusb with persistence.
> 
> I have a Solaris 11.3 live DVD that works.
> 
Whoa.  That's 'different'.

According to what I'm reading at Oracle about 11.4*, there isn't an ARM 
solaris, but it also says that 11.4 drops some support that 11.3 had. 
But it seems that the hardware requirements would be pretty similar, not 
pi-like.

Oracle does make a Oracle Linux 7 for arm and the pi*.

There are plenty of USB optical drives around to connect to the pi, so 
that DVD part wouldn't be the hard part.


* https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E37838_01/html/E60973/glmru.html#SERNSglmuu 
System Requirements for Installing Oracle Solaris 11.4
** 
https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/server-storage/linux/downloads/oracle-linux-arm-4072846.html 
  Oracle Linux for ARM Downloads


-- 
Mike Easter

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#53424

Mike Easter wrote:
> I would also remark, which I haven't yet figured out how to research 
> further, the USB which was the result of the attempted install of the Ub 
> server is not seen by GPartEd nor to fdisk -l nor the the Nemo file 
> manager  including remove reinsert and couple of times.

Oops. (Foolish) Operator error.

That USB connector was partially retracted and not properly inserted. 
The location of the retractor-extender gizmo and the vertical 
orientation of the USB slots interfered with the operator being able to 
comprehensively assure good extension with its gizmo (by way of a 
half-assed excuse).

Problems with the USB can be seen with GPartEd on a system with 
favorably oriented USB slots favoring good extension.

-- 
Mike Easter

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#53492

Le 30/01/2019 à 22:03, Mike Easter a écrit :
> 
> Installing to a bootable USB involves some 'tricks' which are not 
> employed by the net installer nor the server installer.  Those 
> installers 'think' (are designed to perform as if) they are installing 
> to a conventional hdd.

What kind of tricks ?
AFAIK, a USB drive can be used like any other drive and does not require 
any tricks.

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