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List:       netbsd-users
Subject:    Re: Reinstalling or Imaging NetBSD
From:       matthew sporleder <msporleder () gmail ! com>
Date:       2012-08-17 0:01:39
Message-ID: CAHKF-AtMcMqK=pY=tfjT5U04TMkUNd9W6yk+zY1cNDjzgHkCbQ () mail ! gmail ! com
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On Thu, Aug 16, 2012 at 4:21 PM, iPhrankie <iphrankie@gmail.com> wrote:
> I have three mini-itx systems that are basically headless thin-client
> systems. I use these systems to install and test software. After a while I
> usually foul them up pretty well and just reinstall NetBSD from a CD.
>
> The systems don't have a monitor, keyboard/mouse, or a CD-ROM. To reinstall
> NetBSD, I have to remove them from the network cabinet and open the boxes
> to hook up a CD-ROM and then plug in a keyboard/mouse, monitor, etc.
>
> I'm looking for advice on an easier and simpler way to reinstall NetBSD on
> these systems on a regular basis.
>
> Can I launch the installer from a working system and reinstall everything
> via HTTP/FTP?
>
> Can I create an image of one of the systems and store it on one of the
> other three and somehow use it via the network?
>
> Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Have you considered mastering an image with g4u and distributing it somehow?

netbsd is still lacking a proper jumpstart/kickstart system but there
was some effort here:
http://netbsd-soc.sourceforge.net/projects/pxebulk/

also scripting a simple netboot/shell script shouldn't be -that-
difficult when starting from a master image.

Good luck and keep us posted on the direction you choose,
Matt
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