Other Help Topics :: DSL on IBM thin client?



Me again, with a question for 8363.
In fact, what's the trick with linux2200?!?
What has different from a standard linux, and why can't I install (let's say) Vector linux on CF ?
Thanks!
look here:
http://damnsmalllinux.org/cgi-bin....;t=3204
Quote (nilux @ Oct. 25 2005,09:31)
THEDEVIL

How are you supplying the kernel (if you are not using a flash card)?
Are you using DHCP , if yes then how are you getting to the init file (which must be somewhere )?

Also have u compiled ur own kernel ?
Please explain ..

Thanks in advance

if you don't have a cf card you can use nfs or tftp to supply the kernel. nfs works better for me 'coz i have to use nfs root anyway.

when you setup the n2200 bios to look for the kernel on an nfs server the bios connects to the nfs server, loads the pretected mode kernel into memory, sets up boot prompt arguments such as the nfsroot related arguments and starts the kernel. the kernel then takes care of the rest (including finding /etc/init, /sbin/init and executes them)

dhcp is an option but static ip can also be used. if dhcp is used you can just restrict the dhcp reply to contain just the ip info and use the kernel location saved in the bios. in case of nfsroot (regardless of how ip setting is obtained) the parent directory of the nfs share where the kernel is will be used for root fs and that's where the kernel will look for /etc/init and /sbin/init.

yes, i did compile the kernel so that i could include the cloop driver required by dsl. i used the 2.4.26 stock with only one patch to disable keyboard controller check (n2200 doesn't have one) you don't have to patch it but the kernel will complain about the missing controller and spend some time looking for it.
Quote (Guest @ Oct. 28 2005,04:05)
I'm still reading this forum, but till now I didn't find answers to few questions:
1. Have anybody installed on the linux2200, Firefox browser?
2. How can I install the SSH aplication?
3. How can I use the Netvista 2200 to access/work on a Windows XP PC (or any other Linux version PC) ?!?

Thanks in advance!

dsl 1.5 includes firefox but you'll have to hack it to work with n2200 (it requires new kernel+modules or just the uncompressed version of the kernel distributed with dsl -- if someone manage to remove the boot+setup parts and uncompress the protected-mode code)

linux2200 8363 made doesn't come with firefox but if you have enough storage you can always add it. there's a detailed instruction somewhere but basically you just need to copy the program, the library, AND the shared library required by the program and its library. since the distribution is taken from a debian woody it's easier to satisfy library dependency if you get the program from a woody repository as well.

ssh is included but incomplete (it doesn't have scp and sftp but you can just copy the programs themselves 'coz all the required libraries are there)

to use the box as a window thin-client you can use rdesktop. it's not included but i think someone has already packaged it. vnc is another solution but you'll have to run vncserver on the window box.
my next project is actually to hack grub to work with n2200. basically, you have to write an elf code that looks like a kernel (same entry point and so on) which will load grub's 2nd stage loader which, in turn, shows the menu and loads the real kernel. this way, hacking other distro (including dsl) to work with n2200 would be a lot easier since you can use initrd and any kernel argument you want.

i'm a bit rusty on assambly and rather busy with my thesis at the moment but when i have the time to do it i'll post the result here.
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