os install over network
 

okay just seeing if it would work or not. but I would like to be able to install an os like xp or 2000 from a linux server. say fedora core 4. can you do this?? isn't just like a tftp server?? just wondering. and sorry if I should've posted elsewhere

You should look into PXELinux. Don't know if you can do this with Windows though.

-twantrd

in all case, you need to install yourselves front of the box which receive windows.
use samba on linux server, and launch the install network procedure front of windows box.
configure your linux box like a domain controler, and servers wins, and your windows box see it like they see a widnows server install.

okay so I already have me linux box setup as a domain controller. where would I put the install files. I guess I should just see how the pc boots off of the netcard? I have never done that b4 so its all new to me. thx for the help so far!!!

Chris

hi,
on the linux box with samba, share a partition (or an entire disk, it's better) where you put (copy) the entire windows install'cd. Or share the cd on linux, but many problem to acces as many workstatiion use it.
create an boot floppy which contain the driver of your NIC. boot your box whit this floppy and connect to the shared disk on linux. execute the winnt program in the i386 directory and follow the instruction. the same floppy for all the machine.

ya but that would be booting from floppy. how do you go about booting from the nic at post. like in the BIOS you can select legacy nic on my pc. how would you boot from that. Sorry I guess that wouldn't really be a linux question huh. thx for the help tho. if anybody has experience with this part of it. it would be much appreciated. but since this is for linux question then you guys don't have to answer it.

this is 2 things :
- in the bios, booting on the nic, means your nic have an eeprom. It is programming to know how find informatioin to boot the computer. I think you don't have this.
- installed an os by the network, means you have a machine with the minimum software to boot, to star the nic and to connect to a server (which share some space disk adn some files) which have the installation program for your target os.

dangit I was figuring this :( I just didn't want to admit it to myself. I just wish I could go to a users computer and not have to bring anything with me :) at least I can boot off my pen drive. so thats all I will need thx for the help guys!!

Chris

Not all network adapters require a boot ROM.
Windows can be installed remotely using a DHCP server and its Remote Installation Service (RIS) server. I do not expect that windows RIS is the same thing as a TFTP server.


http://support.microsoft.com/default...304992&sd=tech