Say I want to install linux from my ftp server. How do I do it and what distro support network installation? What kinda boot disk do I need too?

Secondly, is it possible to write a script that will answer most if not all of the questions asked during the installation?

Thanx

How: set up a folder that is publicly accessible through FTP, that contains all the neccesary files for an installation

With: Mandrake --for example-- supports various installation methods including NFS, FTP, HTTP, HDD, ISO, CD-ROM

Any network install as described above can be accomplished with bootdisks, provided on the Mandrake install cd's.

I'm not sure how to write a script that can answer most/all installation questions, but should you need to install several identical computers, Mandrake, when using the Expert installation method, has a very nice feature for creating a bootdisk that will replay the installation for you, either fully automated or semi automated. whether the current version of Mandrake still offers this option i'm not sure, I just got my MDK10.0 box set so I could investigate further on that. (I need to reinstall a server, so..)

thanx for the reply.

May I know what are the necessary files and how should I classify them under?

Actually I'm planning to do this for SuSE-based distro like Novell Linux Desktop, Java Deskop System etc.

I'm not sure what you mean by what to classify them under, but if I were to refer to Mandrake's installation again you'll need at least the first and second installation disk in a folder on your ftp server. you can just copy the contents of the cd's into one folder, your client computer will look inside that folder to find whatever it needs during installation. I can't tell you which packages exactly, because there are far too many with many dependancies.. the documentation for your distro of choice would be a better place to look for installation methods and required files (Am not familiar with Novell Linux Desktop)

For example (Fedora should be similar to Redhat)
http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/l...stall-ftp.html

In this case you would copy the files to the FTP server directory as stated in the document. The exact folder depends on which distro / FTP server your using.

With kickstart you can save install options.
http://www.siliconvalleyccie.com/lin...rk-install.htm

I do not know the install options with SuSE.