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pe2338 09-26-2003 02:53 AM

mutiple bootable ISOs on one CD/DVD
 
Hey I got an ideea:

Problem: I got multiple isos of various linux distros that are bootable and are smaller than a normal

cd. (like up to 3xxMB and cds of 650 or 700 MB) I want to put them on one CD (maybe at a later stage on

DVD) and I want to be able to boot either one of then as I choose at a prior time.

Why this?
DSL, CRUX, zipslack, bonzai are few of the small distros that would fit _togheter_ on one CD/DVD and one

could boot either of them. More organized, more data on one physical device (I have a pile of cds that

didn't fit at least half of the storage capacity and they use the same physical space as full of data

cds). Useful for mobile persons. This could boost the presentations based on live-cds.

Possible answer, but incomplete:
Step 1: Make a special boot image that allows you to select from the images that are present on the cd.
Step 2: Load the least of modules and options that allows the kernel to mount an iso image un a loopback

device.
Step 3: Fork the loading kernel so that it can load the data from the ISO

Obs:
1.I figured out how the menu is generated, so one could have open sessions cds working
2.I know one can mount an iso image on loopback device and it works like a charm.
3.I am aware of the fact that the loader kernel must be freed out of the memory once the dynamic boot

started and there is an image of the iso in the ram of the kernel.


I am looking for people interested in this project, that have ideas about it, that could give directions

towards documentation regarding the boot process and aything else that could be usefull, or any other

people that could connect to this project.

Contact me at care2much@k.ro if you are interested or have some ideea where could I take my ideea to

(mialing list like kernel org has or something alike)

Mara 09-26-2003 04:43 PM

Well, I'm not sure if I understand you correctly, but a boot manager should do well...

pe2338 09-29-2003 03:15 AM

If it does, how does it do it?

I read a very big part of lilo's man page, but didn't had the nerve for all of it. I would be glad if it could, but I sincerely doubt it.

magicvash 10-23-2003 04:27 PM

That'd be awesome if it can be done...if nothing else I'd like to burn all 3 mandrake ISO's to one DVD and somehow use that so I don't have to keep swapping cd's


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