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Topic: Help with Automatically Loading App at Startup< Next Oldest | Next Newest >
BuGaLoU Offline





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Posted: Dec. 11 2004,23:06 QUOTE

First and for most I am totally new to linux, and am more of a Windows man myself.  However, I am in a situation where DSL seems perfect for the application.

Basically my company got a bunch of old IBM Netvista Thin clients that can be booted from a compact flash card.  I got them to boot DSL on the flash fine without a problem.  

What I need these to do is boot the kernel, and run a program called tn5250.  Basically this program works as a console for an AS/400 mainframe.  I don't need any other of the functions of DSL.  Removing them from the image isnt so much of an issue as to just not getting them to load.  We are using 128 MB flash cards so capacity is not an issue.  

I can install tn5250 and run it fine using apt-get, but I am not sure how to include this in the DSL image so it is there at boot time, and does not need to be reinstalled.

Cliff Notes:
*Need DSL to boot straight into a program called tn5250
*Kernel and Networking support are only needed for this program.
*Should be run from the console, without loading a GUI.


Any help what so ever would be much appreciated.
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Max Offline





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Posted: Dec. 12 2004,02:25 QUOTE

You'll want to do the following on a machine that was NOT booted from the CF card, but have it in the machine when you boot so you can write to it.  Just boot off the 0.9.0.1 CD.

1. First download the .deb file for your tn5250 app (and any dependency deb's)

2. Make a .dsl file from these using deb2dsl script (let's say we call it tn5250.dsl and that the app executable is called tn5250)

3. Add the line /home/dsl/tn5250.dsl file to your /home/dsl/filetool.lst file (this is so it can be backed up and then automatically restored at every boot)

4. Now edit your /opt/bootlocal.sh file and add two lines: 1) mydsl-load tn5250.dsl, and 2) /home/dsl/tn5250 (assuming that's what it's called).

5. Now do a DSL Backup.  From the fluxbox menu pick -> System -> Backup/Restore.  For the location, put in the specification for you 128MB CF card.  On my system that would be "hde1"  (Note you don't put /dev/hde1)  Under DSL 0.9.0.1 this will write create a file called "backup.tar.gz"  In this file will be all of the files or directories that were listed in your filetool.lst file.

6. Now shut down the system and remove the CF card, put it into your Netvista and boot.

7.  At the boot prompt type "dsl 2".   This will drop you to the command prompt instead of loading the X window server.

8. After you have booted, the system will find the backup.tar.gz file you your CF card and restore the .dsl and you modified bootlocal.sh file.

9.  The last thing the system does on boot is run your bootlocal.sh file.  In your case this will install your tn5250 app via the mydsl-load and then it will run the app on the next line.

(Also, there is a way to get DSL to always boot to "dsl 2" at boot time.  I can't remember exactly what it is you have to do though.  It here in the forums, just search around....or one of our more illustrious members will post it to this thread.  If I remember right it is a pretty easy modification.)

Viola, you now have a CF card you can make copies of, and they will all boot, load and run your tn5250 app.

(If anyone sees anything I miss directed above...please point it out)


--------------
Using DSL on: IBM T42, IBM 560x, Dell Dimension CPx
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caulktel Offline





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Posted: Dec. 12 2004,02:31 QUOTE

BuGaLoU,

Just out of curiosty, which IBM Thin Client are you using?
I have been trying to get DSL to boot to a Netvista 2200L with no  success using compact flash.


--------------
Joel
KB6QVI
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BuGaLoU Offline





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Posted: Dec. 12 2004,02:54 QUOTE

Quote (caulktel @ Dec. 11 2004,21:31)
BuGaLoU,

Just out of curiosty, which IBM Thin Client are you using?
I have been trying to get DSL to boot to a Netvista 2200L with no  success using compact flash.

I am using the 8354 Ethernet model.

I'm pretty sure you can boot on your model too though.  You must disable RPL network boot in the BIOS and the Workspace environment must be set to "Workspace on Demand"
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BuGaLoU Offline





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Posted: Dec. 12 2004,02:56 QUOTE

Max,
Thank you for the how to :) .  I will try this first thing in the morning when I get to work and I will post my results.
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