Ghost Solution Suite

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  • 1.  PXE - Want to send Linux WipeCD

    Posted Nov 05, 2009 12:52 PM
    We have succesfully moved away from using boot CDs (by taking the 6 minutes to setup the 3Com PXE) for starting Ghost and but now I also need to figure out how to send our Linux based Wipe CD to complete the task.  I have attached a screenshot of the contents of the ISO.  Compared to the boot.sys created by Ghost Boot Wizard that has an easy to edit autoexec.bat, what can I do to send the Wipe CD?  Thanks in advance.


  • 2.  RE: PXE - Want to send Linux WipeCD

    Posted Nov 05, 2009 03:32 PM
    If you are using the Ghost Boot Wizard to create the Linux boot media, you can add extra files through the Additional FIles dialog box near the end of the boot wizard. ANd the last page of the boot wizrad allows you to edit the configuration file (I forget the name of this file for Linux) and you can add the command line to execute that file. I see that in the screenshots you are using MagicISO to create these disks, but you could use the Ghost Boot Wizard.


  • 3.  RE: PXE - Want to send Linux WipeCD

    Posted Nov 05, 2009 03:42 PM
    Randall, thank you for the reply. We are currently working with our VAR to see why our license isn't allowing us to download GSS 2.5, we're currently using 2.0 I didn't see an option for creating a Linux boot disk.  The screenshot from MagicISO was just to show the contents of the ISO from WhiteCanyon's Wipe Drive disc they provide us.  If we need GSS 2.5, I guess we'll just wait to hear back from the VAR.  Thanks again.


  • 4.  RE: PXE - Want to send Linux WipeCD

    Posted Nov 05, 2009 04:23 PM
    I see. Yes, this solution does indeed require Ghost Solution Suite 2.5. Alternately, though, you could use GDISK to perform the diskwipe. If you look in the implementation guide (this should be a PDF in your C:\Program FIles\Symantec\Ghost folder), it will tell you how to use GDISK in a DOS environment to wipe disks.


  • 5.  RE: PXE - Want to send Linux WipeCD

    Posted Nov 06, 2009 10:05 AM
    dlehrner,

    Unfortunately, one of the limitations of the PXE protocol is that it's basically impossible to network boot  from an ISO file like you would a floppy disk image. It stinks. :(

    In the Linux world, you would typically load your kernel and initial ram disk via PXE and then mount your file system over NFS (or similar). There are a few sneaky ways around this. The parted magic project, http://partedmagic.com/, sends the / file system (squashfs) over tftp and it runs from RAM. Perhaps you can figure out how to create a squashfs from your ISO - I've never looked into it.

    The next obstacle you're going to run into is that the old 3com bootstrap pretty much limits you to only booting DOS. Here's my rant on how to migrate over to using pxelinux as the bootstrap. https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/one-pxe-menu-unite-them-all-dos-linux-winpe

    I agree w/ Randall; checkout gdisk. It's really easy to create a couple disk images and append whatever commands you need to the autoexec.bat file.

    Good luck,
    -B



  • 6.  RE: PXE - Want to send Linux WipeCD

    Posted Nov 06, 2009 11:02 AM
    I got gdisk as an option from my menu, however it wipes much slower then the purchased version.  For now it's a good proof of concept and I'll have to look into your other suggestions.