Installing from USB

I am trying to install Nethserver to an HP N40L Microserver from a USB flash drive. I get the initial splash screen OK so I know it is looking at the USB drive but then it complains it cannot download the kickstarter file. How do I get past this

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How did you create the usb stick?
Have a look at https://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/InstallFromUSBkey
and https://www.centos.org/docs/5/html/5.1/Installation_Guide/s2-kickstart2-boot-media.html

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then proceed with “install on centos”

http://docs.nethserver.org/en/latest/installation.html#install-on-centos

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I used rufus 2.5 on a windows computer to create a bootable UBS from the nethserver 6.7 iso

I have called it quits for now, after spending a few hours messing about with no success. I ran Nethserver as a VM on Xenserver and really liked it so I thought I would try to load it as the native OS on my HP N40L.

Trying to install from USB, I first hit the sickstart issue, if I ignorethat, it cannot find the cd/dvd device (because there is none) and none of the drivers seem to work.

So I tried to install Centos at the splash screen, same issues.

So then I created a separate centos 6.7 iso bootable USB, this installed Centos but now I cannot get it to install Nethserver following the documentation. I think I am missing a step, but cannot see where.

So given up for tonight, I just wish it would work direct from the USB, every other OS I have tried, Debian, Ubunu, Xenserver just worked.

I hope I can resolve this as I like the product

I didn’t test here but on linux when I want to create a bootable usb key, I use the command ‘dd’ or ‘dcfldd’

dcfldd if=path2yourIso of=/dev/sdX

sdX= the name of your key.

But I recall that the creation of the Iso, must use a hybrid setting for this purpose.

Actually I am using a windows PC to create the bootable USB, but I have a laptop with Linux on it I may try that another day

Hi,

Take a look here:

Actually you have two paths:

  • take a minimal CentOs, install it, and follow this installation
    Installation — NethServer 7 Final

  • with the Nethserver 6.7 iso, put the iso on a usb stick, but don’t do the Nethserver installation, do a Cent os install
 And follow the link above :grinning:

This has become a trial now and I am at the point of packing in. It maybe the HP micro server hardware but the inability to install easily from a USB iso image is making this more trouble than it’s worth.

Tonight I have started again from scratch, new IS0 on new USB key

Installing nethserver from USB key gets the kickstart error.

Installing CentOS from the options allows you to get to choose a language but then fails because you have to choose a CD/DVD driver but what do you choose when there is no drive, just the USB key.

I have even tried to install just a CentOS ISO with the view to install Nethserver after that but I get the CD/DVD driver error again.

The annoying thing is when this server was installed with Citrix Zenserver I created a nethserver as a VM and it worked like a dream. I wanted to make this hardware a native Nethserver system but am really finding it troublesome and I am thinking, If it is this hard to get the OS on how hard is going to be to get the 4 3TB drives set up and the 3 network ports (one on the motherboard and a dual NIC) working correctly.

I can granted that install from the minimal CentOS is okay.

I do it various time :laughing:

Don’t try to install specific driver, and when the system try to verify the ISO, skip this step :wink:

NethServer is CentOS and the HP MicroServer is supported by CentOS: you may need to contact HP support if you have problems with your hardware.
I have installed NethServer on many HP MicroServer without issues.
When installing from USB you need to select “Install from hard disk” (which is the usb key for linux) and then, probably, sda (look at the volume size, sometimes is sdb).
Again, since NethServer is CentOS, here’re the instructions:
https://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/InstallFromUSBkey
(look at the purple note).

OK People I will persevere and try again this evening
:slight_smile:

Good. :smile:
To be clear, step by step:

  1. install centos from usb
  2. morph centos into nethserver

Step 1 could be achieved following centos docs but also by using the nethserver usb key selecting centos install from the boot menu.
Step 2 is documented here:
http://docs.nethserver.org/en/latest/installation.html#install-on-centos

You mean the USB created with the Nethserver iso, but select the CentOS install ?

Yes, the nethserver usb key is like a centos key with an added directory containing the nethserver packages.

I will try again when I get home tonight
 Ii I can get it to work on my N40L I have a nice new shiny Gen 8 microserver to play with too :slight_smile:

NICE toys!.. Got an N40L myself
 indeed great for home/soho use.
Low energy use (about 30W on average) and enough space to put in 4 or even 6 disks.
I have 2 2TB in raid1 (mdadm) for /home, 1 250GB for /var and 1 60GB SSD for /

The distro installer it is something that you see normally just one time, but it gives the first feeling of a distro.

From my humble opinion i feel that the installer is a bit tricky
that would mean it can be enhanced
and when you explain 
do this
and after do that
for me it is a no way answer.

Now cdrom are tools of the past
nevermind the way
an usb installation must work out of the box

Fortunately for me
i use only virtual environment
even for my real server so i’m not concerned :stuck_out_tongue: 
 Moving a virtual server is no more than copy and past a file.

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It’s on the todo list for 7.

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great news :slight_smile: