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#1 2008-07-05 06:16:49

Uzytkownik
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Registered: 2007-07-07
Posts: 20
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Arch as LiveUSB

I'm thinking about installing Arch as a LiveUSB. I'd like to have those features:
- boot into a block files ( if / is a root of pendrive the main filesystem is in block /root for example)
- support of encryption of filesystem
- hardware autodetection
- compressed root (if possible)

My question is not is it possible (I can do it with LFS myself - may be without autodetection) but:
1. Can it be done easily for Arch (installation from other distribution)
2. Is there native support for autodetection

Regards


I've probably left my head... somewhere. Please wait untill I find it.

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#2 2008-07-05 12:18:23

Factory
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Registered: 2008-02-24
Posts: 108

Re: Arch as LiveUSB

1. If you can install arch, I really don't see a problem with installing it to a USB device. Just make sure your BIOS supports booting from a usb disk. I'm not entirely sure what you mean by block files, but it sounds like you're talking about labeling partitions (?). Read this post: http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?pid=266628

2. Auto detection of hardware is done with dbus and hal. Look up that kind of stuff on the wiki. Also, when you plug in a device, type in `dmesg | tail` to see that the system does indeed notice that something's plugged in. dbus/hal can determine what to do with that device if, for example, it's a hard drive or some other storage device. If it's just something like a gamepad, then you usually don't have to do anything special. Webcams will need a specific driver (usually).

There's no cover-all answer for number 2. Usually a simple google search for your hardware device and the term "linux" will yield some kind of steps to take (if any) to get your device working. What were you planning on having auto-detected?

Also, asking "will it work" usually takes longer than just doing it smile.

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#3 2008-07-05 13:02:09

Uzytkownik
Member
Registered: 2007-07-07
Posts: 20
Website

Re: Arch as LiveUSB

AD. 1: May be it sounds but it's not. I mean boot from image of filesystem which is on a disk via loop device.

# mount /dev/sdb1 /media/disk
# ls /media/disk
boot root home (and others)
# mount /media/disk/root /media/disk-root # Should be setup of loop device but I omit it

AD. 2: Not exactly - more effort is somehow needed as the disk may be on one computer /dev/sda and on second /dev/sdc. You cannot easily use labels as I don't think that vfat has them...

AD. 3: Any hardware on which I've booted from pendrive wink On the same basis as Knoppix.
I know how to configure hardware on Linux - however configuring X every time I boot on the different machine or use VGA is not very nice... On LiveCD & LiveUSB autodetection is rather necessity.

AD. 4: Not exactly. By meaning 'easy' I meant also some utilities to prepare among others initrd to boot from loop device, turning on autodetection etc.


I've probably left my head... somewhere. Please wait untill I find it.

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#4 2008-07-05 17:51:51

Factory
Member
Registered: 2008-02-24
Posts: 108

Re: Arch as LiveUSB

For both 1 and 2: You should use UUID, not sda/b/c whatever.

Just 2: Yes it does. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RenameUSBDrive Use mtools. I've done it before for my mp3 player. Once again, google search smile

3. Are you just using the pendrive to store the kernel image and then keeping the file system on a separate disc/volume? Or are you storing the entire file structure on the pendrive?

4. I might not be understanding this one correctly, but for configuring initramfs, check http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Con … mkinitcpio

Edit:

Also, did you check the wiki at all first? http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ins … _USB_stick

Last edited by Factory (2008-07-05 17:57:34)

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#5 2008-07-05 18:00:08

lilsirecho
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Registered: 2003-10-24
Posts: 5,000

Re: Arch as LiveUSB

FaunOS is archlinux based with 600 packages of pacman.  It is a "Live USB flash" system. 

I suspect you are aware of the need to maintain USB enable during boot activities (autodetect, Udev) such that the USB system has to be provided for during these excursions...probably with ramdisk.

Faunos may be a guide for your Live USB arch effort.


Prediction...This year will be a very odd year!
Hard work does not kill people but why risk it: Charlie Mccarthy
A man is not complete until he is married..then..he is finished.
When ALL is lost, what can be found? Even bytes get lonely for a little bit!     X-ray confirms Iam spineless!

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#6 2008-07-05 22:00:42

Uzytkownik
Member
Registered: 2007-07-07
Posts: 20
Website

Re: Arch as LiveUSB

Factory wrote:

For both 1 and 2: You should use UUID, not sda/b/c whatever.

Ok. I just get know that the UUID is for fat/ntfs (however shorter).

Factory wrote:

Just 2: Yes it does. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RenameUSBDrive Use mtools. I've done it before for my mp3 player. Once again, google search smile

Ok - sorry

Factory wrote:

3. Are you just using the pendrive to store the kernel image and then keeping the file system on a separate disc/volume? Or are you storing the entire file structure on the pendrive?

Entire filesystem. It was suppose to be LiveUSB

Factory wrote:

4. I might not be understanding this one correctly, but for configuring initramfs, check http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Con … mkinitcpio

Greate. I'll look on it.

Factory wrote:


Edit:

Also, did you check the wiki at all first? http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ins … _USB_stick

Hey. It installing from USB stick as far as I understend not installing into - and do not include the features I need.

lilsirecho wrote:

FaunOS is archlinux based with 600 packages of pacman.  It is a "Live USB flash" system.

I'll look on it.

lilsirecho wrote:

I suspect you are aware of the need to maintain USB enable during boot activities (autodetect, Udev) such that the USB system has to be provided for during these excursions...probably with ramdisk.

Faunos may be a guide for your Live USB arch effort.

To be honset I want to be as little aware as possible wink I'd like to have a customized G/L LiveUSB distribution without much effort.

What do you mean 'USB enable'? That the module of the usb drivers has to be loaded early on the boot before the real / is mounted? If yes - I am aware.


I've probably left my head... somewhere. Please wait untill I find it.

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#7 2008-07-05 23:33:45

lilsirecho
Veteran
Registered: 2003-10-24
Posts: 5,000

Re: Arch as LiveUSB

Faunos is easily implemented and is full-scale usb flash boot and can be upgraded to later kernel, download any package(s) and has a gui for pacman called pactrac.

Usb has to be re-addressed during boot sequences due to autodetect otherwise it cannot complete the boot since it is disabled during boot by hardware detect.  This problem has to be circumvented for a Live USB boot.  Faunos does that.


Prediction...This year will be a very odd year!
Hard work does not kill people but why risk it: Charlie Mccarthy
A man is not complete until he is married..then..he is finished.
When ALL is lost, what can be found? Even bytes get lonely for a little bit!     X-ray confirms Iam spineless!

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#8 2009-05-27 03:36:45

arch777
Member
Registered: 2009-05-24
Posts: 8

Re: Arch as LiveUSB

Another option is archie  http://user-contributions.org/archie.html

Last edited by arch777 (2009-05-27 03:37:07)

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