Can you do a basic install with / ( including /root, and /usr ) on
/dev/sda1 (approx 6 to 8 gigabytes)? *IMPORTANT*... include sshd as
part of the basic install, and have it start automatically at boot.
- "dd" the / partition to a USB key. Assuming the key is mounted as
/media/key
dd -bs=1M -if=/dev/sda1 -of=/media/key/imagefile
To copy the partition back
- boot the machine to be installed, using any linux install ISO or USB
key, then insert the USB key and "dd" the other way...
dd -bs=1M -if=/media/key/imagefile -of=/dev/sda1
Final customization
- remove the linux boot ISO/key and the data key and reboot the machine
- assuming sshd works, you can now do scripted final customization over
the net, including running apt-get for updates, and copying user home
dirs, etc, etc.
--
Walter Dnes <waltdnes@waltdnes.org>