Trying to install slackware without monitor or keyboard (headless)

icebox17 · 03-31-2007, 07:29 AM

I am trying to install linux on a headless box. The problem is that my laptop doesn't have a serial port. Is there any way I could do an install with an ssh terminal instead?

I do have physical access to the box, and of course I could just carry a monitor from someplace but I was curious if it is at all possible.

Thank you in advance !

fourchannel · 03-31-2007, 08:45 AM

I don't have much experience with slack, but you might try something like this...

On your main desktop, boot the slackcd. keep track of what keys you have to press to get to the initial console.
See if there is anything in the starting help message about SSH or SSHD. Maybe type "/etc/init.d/sshd start" ?
if you can start the SSHD server, then use `passwd` to give you a new root password, and then login via remote (on the headless box). You might need to grab a keyboard temporarily just to start the server.