Arch Linux

synthead

Member

Registered: 2006-05-09

Posts: 1,337

Putting together a USB Arch instance that runs entirely in RAM?

I want to install Arch on my USB drive in such a way where I can pop 'er in, boot it, and yank it from the USB port.  In other words, load and run everything to a ramdisk.  The end goal is to have easy-to-deploy Folding@home environments for unused machines.  How would I do this?

karol

Archivist

Registered: 2009-05-06

Posts: 25,440

Re: Putting together a USB Arch instance that runs entirely in RAM?

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ar … rchLive.29 runs in RAM
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ar … tributions

lilsirecho

Veteran

Registered: 2003-10-24

Posts: 5,000

Re: Putting together a USB Arch instance that runs entirely in RAM?

Perhaps install CTKArchLive.

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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!

synthead

Member

Registered: 2006-05-09

Posts: 1,337

Re: Putting together a USB Arch instance that runs entirely in RAM?

My goal is to build this from vanilla sources

lilsirecho

Veteran

Registered: 2003-10-24

Posts: 5,000

Re: Putting together a USB Arch instance that runs entirely in RAM?

Perhaps use CTKArchLive to experience the application of the OS in ram to determine if you really want to build your own.

---

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!

synthead

Member

Registered: 2006-05-09

Posts: 1,337

Re: Putting together a USB Arch instance that runs entirely in RAM?

All I'm looking for is a console with bash and the F@H client with my settings saved.  I'll read CTKArchLive's init scripts, but anyone know?  Is there a kernel flag, something I can put in the init scripts, or something else?

synthead

Member

Registered: 2006-05-09

Posts: 1,337

Re: Putting together a USB Arch instance that runs entirely in RAM?

Hmm, this seems interesting: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Archiso

der_harm

Member

Registered: 2011-04-12

Posts: 32

Re: Putting together a USB Arch instance that runs entirely in RAM?

Hi,
I am wondering what files get installed during arch setup.
Are that basic files that run on all pc or are also files getting installed that are particulary needed for special hardware?
As far as I know all open source driver are included into the kernel and therefore ONE arch setup should run on ALL plattforms, right?
Is that also true for the configuration files?

synthead

Member

Registered: 2006-05-09

Posts: 1,337

Re: Putting together a USB Arch instance that runs entirely in RAM?

Hi,
I am wondering what files get installed during arch setup.
Are that basic files that run on all pc or are also files getting installed that are particulary needed for special hardware?
As far as I know all open source driver are included into the kernel and therefore ONE arch setup should run on ALL plattforms, right?
Is that also true for the configuration files?

Why not start a new thread?

synthead

Member

Registered: 2006-05-09

Posts: 1,337

Re: Putting together a USB Arch instance that runs entirely in RAM?

Being dissatisfied with what's out there to do this, I am writing some scripts that will automatically build a variety of things, including RAM-only instances.  I'll put it up on github when it's working.

Last edited by synthead (2011-06-11 03:38:45)