Arch Linux

cFirefox

Member

Registered: 2009-03-12

Posts: 26

Encrypted Live System on USB-thumb drive

Hey all,

I am fed up with the different systems on various computers. So I want an Arch Linux Live System on an USB thumb drive I can carry around and plug into the computers I stumble upon.
I want to be able to have some data (emails, favourites and so on) and some additional programs (vlc, Open Office, ...) on the live system so I can use them. And there are the upgrades for Arch I don't want to mis
As I am known to lose small things, thumb drives, I want to encrypt that system.

I have already an Arch install running on my PC and I would like to stick to Arch. Will Arch be able to adapt to various different PCs? I was thinking about using Ubuntu, because it will run on almost anything but, well it's not Arch...

I would like to have at least two partitions:
- One encrypted Live System where I can store personal data
- One partition where I can store other information and which I can read from any Linux/Win32 computer (most probable NTFS)
- Is a Swap Partition usefull or will it just wear down the drive? What can I expect if I don't have a Swap?

So where shall I start? Partitioning the drive?
- Boot sector 150 MB
- Swap 1 GB
- System  5 GB
- Data Rest

Has anybody tried this? Better yet, succeded?

So I have a 16GB thumb drive here waiting for your suggestios!
Thanks!

lilsirecho

Veteran

Registered: 2003-10-24

Posts: 5,000

Re: Encrypted Live System on USB-thumb drive

Look at Faunos.....and Larch....

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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!

djszapi

Member

From: Cambridge, United Kingdom

Registered: 2009-06-14

Posts: 1,439

Website

Re: Encrypted Live System on USB-thumb drive

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Sys … r_dm-crypt
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Building_a_Live_CD

Have you red it ?

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lilsirecho

Veteran

Registered: 2003-10-24

Posts: 5,000

Re: Encrypted Live System on USB-thumb drive

Don't forget that arch is i686 which narrows your application to some computer systems.

Faunos has the capability you desire (i686) except is not upgradable at this time.

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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!

firecat53

Member

From: Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Registered: 2007-05-14

Posts: 1,542

Website

Re: Encrypted Live System on USB-thumb drive

I don't have it encrypted, but I made a simple version of what you proposed -- 1st half of 8gb drive is NTFS (though I'd consider Vfat after reading up some more). 2nd half is bootable partition w/ Larch install. Works great! Larch takes a bit to figure out, but it's not too hard. No boot or swap parititions.

Good luck!
Scott

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