Install Arch from network (via PXE)
From ArchWiki
Contents |
Network booting
Did your tiny laptop come without a CDROM drive, and doesn't allow you to boot from a usb drive? Fear not, you can boot using pxe.
Requisites
You need at least the following:
- a server capable of running DHCPD
- a server capable of running (a)tftpd
- the archboot installation iso (the official images can not be used for this)
- it may be necessary to disable your router's DHCP function
The DHCP and tftp server can be the same computer if you only have one.
Install the necessary programs on the existing Arch Linux computer which will act as the server for the installation on your client:
pacman -Sy mkpxelinux tftp-hpa dhcp
Preparing dhcpd
Replace the default /etc/dhcpd.conf with the following (adjust to your network environment):
# /etc/dhcpd.conf option domain-name-servers 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220; default-lease-time 86400; max-lease-time 604800; authoritative; subnet 192.168.0.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 { range 192.168.0.10 192.168.0.49; filename "pxelinux.0"; # the PXELinux boot agent option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0; option broadcast-address 192.168.0.255; option routers 192.168.0.1; }
Dhcpd will not run without ipv6. If you have disabled ipv6, reload the module:
modprobe ipv6
Preparing tftpd
Run mkpxelinux, which will put the required boot files in /var/tftpboot:
mkpxelinux -c=/etc/mkpxelinux.conf
Mount archboot-iso and copy the content of the folder isolinux to /var/tftpboot/, overwriting existing files:
mount -o loop /archboot.iso /mnt/iso cp -a /mnt/iso/isolinux/* /var/tftpboot/
Adjust pxelinux cfg (use the isolinux.cfg supplied with archboot):
mv /var/tftpboot/isolinux.cfg /var/tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Configuring host.allow
Add following records to your /etc/hosts.allow file:
# /etc/hosts.allow tftpd: ALL in.tftpd: ALL
Your Arch Linux network installer is now ready.
Starting the Install
Now make sure the dhcpd and tftpd daemons are running on the server.
# /etc/rc.d/tftpd start # /etc/rc.d/dhcpd start
Boot your destination machine over PXE (usually something like F12 (on Dells) or F11 (on Supermicro's), or enable it in the BIOS).
When you get the PXEBoot prompt, type 'arch' or hit return to start the installer. The install should now progress the same as if you booted from CD. You can continue installation by following the Official Arch Linux Install Guide or Beginners Guide.
That's all!