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Table of Contents
Introduction
Plop Linux is a small distribution built from scratch that can boot from CD, DVD, USB flash drive (UFD), USB hard disk or from network with PXE. It's designed to rescue data from a damaged system, backup and restore operating systems, automate tasks and more. You can use Plop Linux as Server and as Desktop Linux.
There is a Live version and a developer version to build your own server, desktop and so on by yourself.
Current stable: 4.2.2
System requirements
- Intel i486 compatible processor
- 64MB ram
Features
- booting from CD/DVD, USB and network
- current Linux kernel versions
- 32bit and 64bit versions
- fast booting
- sshfs
- NTFS read/write with ntfs-3g (except compressed and encrypted files)
- add your own scripts
- IDE, SATA, SCSI, and RAID support
- Partimage to save or restore partitions
- pimgrestore
- proftpd server
- ssh connections
- samba connection
- nfs connection
- btrfs
- vmstat
- systat package
- fsarchiver
- mbuffer, udpcast, multicast
- partclone
- memtest
- cryptsetup luks
- tftp (tftpd)
- xinetd
- dhcp server
- testdisk, photorec
- Plop Boot Manager
- nmap
- perl
- lilo, grub, grub2
- chntpw, reged
- chkrootkit
- bluetooth
- wake on LAN (wol, ether-wake, ethtool)
- lot of network tools
- Linux F-PROT Antivirus from F-PROT.
This antivirus is free for personal users. - Linux AVAST Antivirus from avast! Linux Home Edition.
This antivirus is free for non-commercial use. You need a lisense key to use it. - Network connections to windows network shares, ftp servers, web servers or ssh connections.
- WLAN
- wine, mono, vnc, gparted, firefox, ...
- Flash player, LibreOffice, OpenOffice
- Boot from NFS, Samba, TFTP, FTP, HTTP
- ISO boot
- Support for blind people (brltty, Orca)
And much more...
Screenshots
Boot menu
zoom |
Console zoom |
Console zoom |
||
Gnome 3 zoom |
Gnome 3 zoom |
Fluxbox zoom |
||
Download
Current version: 4.2.2, 18/04/2012
| Standard version |
| x64 - 64bit version |
| PAE version |
| Network boot |
| Plop Linux Developer Version |
| Files for ploplinux/opt/ |
| Additional tools |
Plop Linux License
GNU GPL 2
Linux sources
Plop Linux command list
Plop Linux Changelog
Standard version - 4.2.2
i486 and better processors, RAM up to 4GB. More info's are here.
| MD5SUM | ploplinux-4.2.2.md5sum | ||
| LiveCD | 82 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2.iso | Base version |
| TAR Gzip | 80 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2.tgz | Base version |
| Zip | 80 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2.zip | Base version |
| LiveCD | 1001 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2-X.iso | Xorg, Gnome, Fluxbox, GParted, Mplayer, wine, ... |
| LiveCD | 504 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2-X-gnome-tiny.iso | Xorg, Gnome - Tiny, Fluxbox, GParted, Mplayer... |
| LiveCD | 1001 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2-X-brl.iso | Brl enabled, Xorg, Gnome, Fluxbox, GParted, Mplayer, wine, ... |
x64 - 64bit version - 4.2.2
Only 64bit processors, RAM up to 1TB. More info's are here.
| MD5SUM | ploplinux-4.2.2-x64.md5sum | ||
| LiveCD | 88 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2-x64.iso | Base version |
| TAR Gzip | 86 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2-x64.tgz | Base version |
| Zip | 86 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2-x64.zip | Base version |
| LiveCD | 1008 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2-x64-X.iso | Xorg, Gnome, Fluxbox, GParted, Mplayer, wine, ... |
PAE version - 4.2.2
Pentium Pro (1995) and better processors, RAM up to 64GB (PAE). More info's are here.
| MD5SUM | ploplinux-4.2.2-PAE.md5sum | ||
| LiveCD | 82 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2-PAE.iso | Base version |
| TAR Gzip | 80 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2-PAE.tgz | Base version |
| Zip | 80 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2-PAE.zip | Base version |
| LiveCD | 999 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2-PAE-X.iso | Xorg, Gnome, Fluxbox, GParted, Mplayer, wine, ... |
| LiveCD | 504 MB | ploplinux-4.2.2-PAE-X-gnome-tiny.iso | Xorg, Gnome - Tiny, Fluxbox, GParted, Mplayer... |
Network boot
| TAR Gzip | 0.3 MB | ploplinux-pxeboot.tgz | PXE Network boot configuration / directory structure |
| Zip | 0.3 MB | ploplinux-pxeboot.zip | PXE Network boot configuration / directory structure |
Plop Linux Developer Version
| ploplinux-developer-20120418.tar.gz | 1.8 GB | files tar gzip compressed |
| ploplinux-developer-20120418.fsa | 1.8 GB | fsarchiver file |
| ploplinux-developer-20120418.img.gz | 3.2 GB | gzip compressed raw hard disk image |
Files for ploplinux/opt/
| opt.sqfs | 824 MB | Version 18/04/2012, PROGRAM-LIST.TXT |
| opt-tiny.sqfs | 359 MB | Version 18/04/2012. Smaller version of opt.sqfs. Not all Gnome programs of opt.sqfs are included. To use it rename the file to opt.sqfs |
| locale-archive.gz | 19 MB | Unpack in ploplinux/opt: gunzip locale-archive.gz |
| perl5.tar.gz | 11 MB | Unpack in ploplinux/opt: tar xfz perl5.tar.gz |
| clamav.tar.gz | 34 MB | Place it in ploplinux/opt |
Additional tools
| syslinux.exe | 70 KB | |
| mkisofs.zip | 0.8 MB | mkisofs.exe, plpmkisofs.exe |
| make-iso.sh | 0.3 KB | |
| genfilelist.exe | 29 KB | |
| genfilelist-0.1.zip | 11 KB | Source code |
| addoffice.sh | 4.5 KB | Add Office to opt.sqfs |
Create a LiveCD
| 1. Linux: Create a Plop Linux LiveCD |
| 1.1. Burn an ISO image |
| 1.1.1. Burn on CD |
| 1.1.2. Burn on DVD |
| 1.2. Create a new ISO image |
| 1.2.1. Download and extract |
| 1.2.2. Adding files |
| 1.2.3. Create the ISO image |
| 2. Windows: Create a Plop Linux LiveCD |
| 2.1. Burn an ISO image |
| 2.2. How-to create a new ISO image |
1. Linux: Create a Plop Linux LiveCD
- Pro: You have to burn it on a CD as it is and it's possible to boot.
-
Contra: No antivirus lisense and no antivirus database comes with
the ISO. That means no F-PROT or Avast is available.
No personal files or scripts from you are on the CD.
There are 2 solutions to boot from CD/DVD. The first solution is to use the existing Plop Linux ISO image.
If you don't need any personal files, F-PROT or Avast, then you can use it. If you want more power, then you have to create your personal ISO image in a few steps. That's the second solution.
1.1. Burn an ISO image
You have to download the file ploplinux-4.2.2.iso
K3b is an easy to use GUI for the Linux burner programs. You can simply burn the ISO to a disc with a few mouse clicks.
If you prefer the command line, then use the following commands.
1.1.1. Burn on CD
cdrecord is the Linux tool to burn CD ISO images.
Burn the ISO with cdrecord:
cdrecord -v dev=<devicename> <iso image>
Example:
If your cd writer drive is /dev/hdd.
cdrecord -v dev=/dev/hdd ploplinux-4.2.2.iso
1.1.2. Burn on DVD
growisofs is the Linux tool to burn DVD ISO images.
Command:
growisofs -dvd-compat -Z <devicename>=<iso image>
Example:
If your dvd writer drive is /dev/hdd.
growisofs -dvd-compat -Z /dev/hdd=ploplinux-4.2.2.iso
1.2. Create a new ISO image
mkisofs is the required tool. It's a part of cdrecord.
1.2.1. Download and extract
You have to download the file
ploplinux-4.2.2.tgz to your
home directory.
Then extract the downloaded file.
tar xfvz ploplinux-4.2.2.tgz
1.2.2. Adding files
The directory ploplinux-4.2.2/ with the Plop Linux directories and files is created and you can add your personal files and the F-PROT and Avast files to the ploplinux/opt/ directory. Executeable files should be placed in ploplinux/bin/.
1.2.3. Create the ISO image
The following command creates the ISO image. Run it from the command line in your home directory.
mkisofs -J -r -V ploplinux-4.2.2 \
-hide-joliet-trans-tbl -hide-rr-moved \
-allow-leading-dots \
-o ploplinux-4.2.2.iso -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 \
-c syslinux/boot.catalog -b syslinux/isolinux.bin \
-boot-info-table -l ploplinux-4.2.2
You can download the script make-iso.sh when you don't want to type the whole stuff.
Run sh make-iso.sh 4.2.2 from the command line in your home directory to create the ISO image ploplinux-4.2.2.iso.
When creating the ISO was successful, then burn it. see 1.1. Burn an ISO image
2. Windows: Create a Plop Linux LiveCD
- Pro: You have to burn it on a CD as it is and it's possible to boot.
-
Contra: No antivirus lisense and no antivirus database comes with
the ISO. That means no F-PROT or Avast is available.
No personal files or scripts from you are on the CD.
There are 2 solutions to boot from CD/DVD. The first solution is to use the existing Plop Linux ISO image.
If you don't need any personal files, F-PROT or Avast, then you can use it. If you want more power, then you have to create your personal ISO image in a few steps. That's the second solution.
2.1. Burn an ISO image
You have to download the file ploplinux-4.2.2.iso or use your own ISO file.
You can use Nero, the free CDBurnerXP or any other burner program that supports "burning ISO images".
Use an option like Burn ISO to Disc or Copy ISO to Disc. Then select the Plop Linux ISO image and burn it to the disc.
2.2. How-to create a new ISO image
-
Download the zip file mkisofs.zip. It contains the required binaries of cdrtools-latest.zip from the cdrtools homepage and the program plpmkiso.exe.
-
Extract mkisofs.zip to your hard disk. Remember the folder you are extracting the files.
-
Download ploplinux-4.2.2.zip to your hard disk and extract the files into the mkisofs folder.
-
When you open the mkisofs folder, then you should see the ploplinux-4.2.2 folder and some files like mkisofs and plpmkiso.
-
Change to the ploplinux-4.2.2 folder. You can add your files to the ploplinux/opt/ folder. See F-PROT or Avast to add the antivirus files to your CD.
-
Create the ISO with mkisofs. Run the program plpmkiso.exe. Enter the Plop Linux version you want to create (4.2.2). Now my program runs mkisofs with the required parameters and creates the ISO image.
When everything is ok, then a new ISO file is in your mkisofs folder. Ex. ploplinux-4.2.2.iso.When you want to create it by hand. The mkisofs parameters are
mkisofs -J -r -V ploplinux-4.2.2 -hide-joliet-trans-tbl -hide-rr-moved -allow-leading-dots -o ploplinux-4.2.2.iso -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -c syslinux/boot.catalog -b syslinux/isolinux.bin -boot-info-table -l ploplinux-4.2.2
-
Burn the ISO image. See 2.1. Burn an ISO image.
mkisofs.exe is the required tool to create a ISO image. It's a part of cdrtools.
Bootable USB drive
| 1. With Linux |
| 1.1. Make an USB drive bootable step-by-step |
| 2. With Windows |
| 2.1. Make an USB drive bootable step-by-step |
1. With Linux
You can use the official step-by-step method or the 3rd party tool MultiBoot LiveUSB .
1.1. Make an USB drive bootable step-by-step
Requirements to make an USB drive bootable:
- File system on the device must be FAT. When you use EXT2/3/4 then you have to use extlinux instead of syslinux.
- The Plop Linux file ploplinux-4.2.2.tgz
- The program syslinux
You have to do the following steps from a command line. Login as root (or do a sudo bash) to be sure to have all rights.
-
Plug in your USB drive.
- Run dmesg to determine which
device node is used for your USB drive. Linux need's a
few seconds to detect the USB drive.
Example output:usb 1-3: new high speed USB drive using ehci_hcd and address 3 usb 1-3: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice scsi0 : SCSI emulation for USB Mass Storage devices usb-storage: device found at 3 usb-storage: waiting for device to settle before scanning scsi 0:0:0:0: Direct-Access LEXAR GEYSER JUMPDRIVE 1.00 PQ: 0 ANSI: 1 CCS SCSI device sba: 1001952 512-byte hdwr sectors (513 MB) sba: Write Protect is off sdb: Mode Sense: 23 00 00 00 sdb: assuming drive cache: write through SCSI device sdb: 1001952 512-byte hdwr sectors (513 MB) sdb: Write Protect is off sdb: Mode Sense: 23 00 00 00 sdb: assuming drive cache: write through sdb: sdb1 sd 0:0:0:0: Attached scsi removable disk sdb usb-storage: device scan complete
In this case, Linux use sdb as device name. The device can be used as /dev/sdb. This device has 1 partition called sdb1 (filename of the device node is /dev/sdb1). We use this partitions to boot with Plop Linux.
-
Mount the device to determine the file system. We use the directory /mnt/usb as mount point. If this directory not exists then create it.
mkdir /mnt/usb
Now mount the partition from the USB drive.
mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/usb -t vfat
If mount fails withmount: /dev/sdb1 is not a valid block device
You are using the wrong device node.
If mount fails with
mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/sdb1
The partition /dev/sdb1 (in my case) is not formatted with fat.
If mount reports nothing, then proceed with the next step. -
You have to download the file ploplinux-4.2.2.tgz to your home directory.
Then extract the downloaded file.
tar xfvz ploplinux-4.2.2.tgz
-
Copy the extracted Plop Linux files on you USB drive.
cp -avr ploplinux-4.2.2/* /mnt/usb/
-
Unmount the USB drive.
umount /mnt/usb
-
Make the partition bootable with syslinux.
syslinux /dev/sdb1
-
Use fdisk to activate the bootflag for the boot partition.
-
fdisk /dev/sdb
-
Use the command p and enter to take a look at the partition table.
Example output:
Disk /dev/sdb: 512 MB, 512999424 bytes 16 heads, 63 sectors/track, 994 cylinders Units = cylinders of 1008 * 512 = 516096 bytes Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System /dev/sdb1 1 994 500944+ e W95 FAT16 (LBA) Command (m for help):
Beside /dev/sdb1 there is no * below Boot. That means /dev/sdb1 is not activated for boot.
The Id should be e W95 FAT16 (LBA) or c W95 FAT32 (LBA) for partitions greater than 2GB. If you change the Id, you have to format the partition again. (You loose all data on the partition)
-
Change the bootflag for /dev/sdb1
Use a and enter.
Now select a partition between 1-4. In my case it's 1 (sdb1). -
Change the Id for /dev/sdb1 (only needed if there is a wrong Id)
Use t Now select a partition between 1-4. In my case it's 1 (sdb1).
Now enter e for W95 FAT16 (LBA) or c for W95 FAT32 (LBA) for partitions >2GB. -
Use p and enter to list the partition table.
Example output:
Disk /dev/sdb: 512 MB, 512999424 bytes 16 heads, 63 sectors/track, 994 cylinders Units = cylinders of 1008 * 512 = 516096 bytes Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System /dev/sdb1 * 1 994 500944+ e W95 FAT16 (LBA) Command (m for help):
Now we can see the * beside /dev/sdb1
The command w writes the changes to the device and quits fdisk. If you don't want to save but quit then use q.
-
If you changed the Id, then format the partition. After formatting you have to copy all files again.
Format: mkfs.vfat /dev/sdb1, for fat32 use mkfs.vfat -F 32 /dev/sdb1
-
-
If the USB drive does not boot, maybe the program in the MBR is not ok. You can fix this with
lilo -M /dev/sdb
After those steps, you should be able to boot from USB with Plop Linux.
2. With Windows
You can use the official step-by-step method or the 3rd party tools universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3 and Linux Live USB Creator to install Plop Linux to your USB drive.
2.1. Make USB drive bootable step-by-step
Requirements to make an USB drive bootable:
- You must have administrator rights to finish all steps.
- File system on the device must be FAT.
- The Plop Linux file ploplinux-4.2.2.zip
- The program syslinux.exe.
Let's start
-
Plug in your USB drive.
-
In my example, the drive letter of the USB drive is F:.
Check the file system. Use the right mouse click on F: and then Properties from the context menu. You can see now, how much space is left on the device and file system type. It should be FAT12, FAT16 or FAT32.
-
Extract the Plop Linux files from ploplinux-4.2.2.zip on the USB drive.
The directories ploplinux and syslinux must be in the root directory F:\ of your USB drive.
-
Download syslinux.exe to your desktop.
Open the Command Prompt (in Accessories of your Windows menu).
Change the directory to your Desktop.
cd Desktop
Run syslinux with your drive letter as parameter.
BE SURE TO USE THE CORRECT DRIVE LETTER. If you use ex. C: then your windows will not boot up next time and you have to repair it with the windows rescue console.syslinux f:
Your usb drive should be bootable now.
It doesn't boot
When your device won't boot, maybe the boot flag in the MBR of your device is not set or a wrong partition ID is set. There can be a wrong program in the MBR too (but that's no problem to fix).
There are 2 ways to activate the boot flag and change the partition ID:
- With Windows
You need the program plppart32.exe. Save it in the same folder like syslinux. Switch to the Command Prompt. To determine which device number Windows is using for your USB drive run
mmc %SystemRoot%\system32\compmgmt.msc
Click at Storage and then at Disk Management. In the window right below you can see Disk 0 (your first hard disk), CD 0 (CD-Rom drive) and so on. Your USB drive is in the list too. If your device is Disk 2 then run from the Command Prompt in the folder you stored plppart32.exe to see the partition table the command
plppart32 -d 2 -i
Example output:
Using physical drive 2 Drive geometry: Media Type : RemovableMedia Cylinders : 62 Tracks per Cylinder: 255 Sectors per Track : 63 Bytes per Sector : 512 NR ID BOOT SS SH SC ES EH EC LBAST LBASEC SIZE ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 0x0e 1 1 0 63 15 992 63 1001889 489.00 MByte 2 0x00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 MByte 3 0x00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 MByte 4 0x00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 MByte
The device has a Media Type RemovableMedia. The boot flag of the first partition is not set. To set the boot flag for the first partition use
plppart32 -d 2 -p 1 -b 0x80
The partition type should be 0x0e or 0x0c for partitions greater than 2GB. If you change the partition ID, you have to format the partition again and do all steps again.
plppart32 -d 2 -p 1 -id 0x0e
If you take another look at the partition table, then the partition 1 should be changed below BOOT.
NR ID BOOT SS SH SC ES EH EC LBAST LBASEC SIZE --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 0x0e *[0x80] 1 1 0 63 15 992 63 1001889 489.00 MByte
If you changed the ID, then you have to format the partition and do all steps again. If you format, you lose all data on the partition.
Now you should be able to boot. If not, maybe the mbr program is not ok. You have to fix it with Linux.
- with Linux
Download the Plop Linux ISO image and burn it on a cd, boot up with Linux and see the Linux version 1.1. Make USB drive bootable step-by-step point 2, 10 and 11.
Boot from ISO
The ISO file can be on a local drive, a network drive, on a TFTP server, HTTP server or FTP server. See the "PXE boot" section for network examples.
You have to use the Linux command line parameter iso_filename. The ISO file is in the /iso directory.
| 1. GRUB2 example |
| 2. GRUB / GRUB4DOS example |
| 3. Syslinux example |
1. GRUB2 example
The Plop Linux related part of grub.cfg
menuentry "Plop Linux ISO" {
echo Loading Plop Linux
set isofile="/iso/ploplinux-4.2.2.iso"
loopback loop $isofile
linux (loop)/syslinux/kernel/bzImage vga=1 iso_filename=$isofile
initrd (loop)/syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz
}
2. GRUB / GRUB4DOS example
The Plop Linux related part of menu.lst
title Plop Linux ISO map /iso/ploplinux-4.2.2.iso (hd32) map --hook rootnoverify (hd32) kernel ()/syslinux/kernel/bzImage vga=1 iso_filename=iso/ploplinux-4.2.2.iso initrd ()/syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz
3. Syslinux example
The Plop Linux related part of syslinux.cfg
label linux
menu label Plop Linux ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 iso_filename=iso/ploplinux-4.2.2.iso
Install to hard disk
| 1. Live Version |
| 2. Plop Linux Developer Version |
1. Live Version
You can install the Live version from you CD, USB drive or whatever, to your hard disk. When Plop Linux is booted, then you have to start the program installploplinux. This program will ask you where to install Plop Linux and a few other configuration questions. Then the program creates a script. You can run the script immediately or use it for an own script.
2. Plop Linux Developer Version
The Plop Linux Developer Version is my Linux that I use for any purpose. It's used to create the Live Plop Linux. I use it for any kind of server and it's my Desktop Linux.
Details see: Plop Linux Developer Version
Example: Plop Linux Developer Version as desktop installation
PAE, memory limits, 4GB, 64GB, 1TB
With PAE (Physical Address Extension) it's possible to access more than 4GB RAM with a 32bit kernel. That means you can access the available RAM up to 64GB with the 32bit PAE Plop Linux version.
PAE is available since Intel Pentium Pro (1995). The PAE kernel will not boot on a machine that has no PAE support (Intel Pentium and earlier, the 400 MHz-bus versions of the Pentium M).
Overview
| Kernel version | CPU's | can access RAM |
| Standard kernel | i486 and better | up to 4GB |
| PAE kernel | Pentium Pro and better | up to 64GB |
| x64 kernel | only 64bit processors | up to 1TB |
More Infos: Wikipedia - Physical Address Extension
Virus scanner/Antivirus ClamAV, F-PROT, Avast, AVG
| ClamAV |
| F-PROT Antivirus for Linux |
| Avast Antivirus for Linux |
| AVG Antivirus for Linux |
ClamAV
ClamAV is included in the X opt.sqfs and as optional archive available.
opt.sqfs: You can use ClamAV from the command line or with the GUI ClamTk.
Optional archive: Store clamav.tar.gz in plopinux/opt/. When Plop Linux has been started, then run setupclamav. Now the ClamAV files will be extracted and you can run freshclam to update the database and clamscan to scan files.
F-PROT Antivirus for Linux
The F-PROT Antivirus is a free Antivirus program for personal users. Read the details at http://www.f-prot.com.
How to use it with Plop Linux
Download the latest Linux version from http://www.f-prot.com/products/ and copy the tar.gz file into the ploplinux/opt/ directory.
Download Home: see here
Download Corporate: see here
When Plop Linux has been started, then run setupfprot. Now the F-PROT files will be extracted and you can run fpscan.
Place your antivir.def into the ploplinux/opt/ directory to use the latest definitions.
Avast Antivirus for Linux
The Avast Antivirus is a free Antivirus program for non-commercial use. Please read their lisense agreement http://www.avast.com.
To run Avast from Plop Linux, you need the following
A valid lisense key. You can receive the lisense from the Avast homepage. They send it via email to you.
-
The Avast program. It's available at http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-for-linux-edition.html. Please download the tar.gz version.
-
The antivirus database file.
Create the following file in the Plop Linux ploplinux/opt/ directory.
[licence] key=your key
Copy the Avast file avast4workstation-1.0.8.tar.gz in the ploplinux/opt/ directory.
To use Avast you need the latest antivirus database file from Avast. There are different solutions to get the latest file.
| 1. Update the antivirus database with Linux |
| 1.1. From the command line |
| 1.2. With a graphical user interface |
| 2. Update the antivirus database with Windows |
1. Update the antivirus database with Linux
You need a working Linux. This can be the Linux you are working with or Plop Linux. It's required to have a connection to the internet and a valid Avast lisense.
If you use the Linux you are working with then you have to be sure that avastrc is placed in your user home directory ~/.avast/. Plop Linux copies the avastrc file to the required position during the boot process from ploplinux/opt/avastrc.
1.1 From the command line
Run avast-update to download the latest antivirus database file. avast-update downloads the file 400.vps and saves it to ~/.avast/.
1.2 With a graphical user interface
You can use avastgui to update the antivirus database file. avastgui saves the file 400.vps in your home directory ~/.avast/.
2. Update the antivirus database with Windows
Update the antivirus database with the Avast graphical user interface.
Right mouse click at the Avastball bottom right in the taskbar.
Then click at Update and then iAvast
update.
The windows Avast is saving the file 400.vps in
the Avast installation directory. Default for the english version
is C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\.
When you got the latest 400.vps, then copy this file to the ploplinux/opt/ directory from Plop Linux.
When Plop Linux has been started, then run setupavast. Now the Avast files will be extracted and you can run avast.
AVG Antivirus for Linux
AVG is free for personal use. Download the latest version from http://free.avg.com/us-en/download.prd-alf.
Install AVG to your preferred Linux distribution with "sh avg85flx-r855-a3656.i386.sh"
This installs AVG to /opt/avg/avg8/
Then run "cd /opt/avg; ls"
When you see av then use "tar cfz avg.tgz av"
When you see avg8 then use "tar cfz avg.tgz avg8"
This creates the file /opt/avg/avg.tgz. Copy this file to the ploplinux/opt/ directory.
When Plop Linux has been started, then run setupavg. Now the AVG files will be extracted and you can run avg.
Backup / restore with Partimage
This example shows you how to backup/restore a NTFS partition. The backup file will be saved on a NTFS formatted USB hard disk.
Basic conditions:
- Windows is installed on the first partition of a SATA hard disk. This partition is formatted with NTFS.
- The partition image should be stored on a NTFS formatted USB hard disk.
- Device node SATA hard disk: /dev/sda
- Device node USB hard disk: /dev/sdb
Preparations:
-
Boot with Plop Linux.
-
Mount the USB hard disk.
mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt -t ntfs-3g -
Change to the USB hard disk.
cd /mnt
With the following instructions, you are able to create/restore partitions
| 1. Create a Partimage image |
| 1.1. Batch mode |
| 1.2. User interface |
| 2. Restore a partition |
| 2.1. Batch mode |
| 2.2. User interface |
1. Create a Partimage image
1.1. Batch mode
Create an image with the filename windowsXP_20070425 from
the partition /dev/sda1.
partimage -z1 -b -d save /dev/sda1 windowsXP_20070425
1.2. User interface
-
Start Partimage.
partimage -
Select the partition you want to backup.
/dev/sda1 -
Change with tabulator into the next field.
Enter a filename. ex.
windowsXP_20070425 -
Change with F5 to the next screen.
You can select some options. gzip compression is good and fast.
-
Change with F5 to the next screen.
You can enter a description for the image.
-
Change with 2x enter to the next screen.
-
You can see an overview about the partition. NTFS is experimental supported, but till now I never had problems. If Partimage has troubles with the partition, then the backup process will be aborted.
2. Restore a partition
2.1. Batch mode
Restore the partition /dev/sda1 from the file
windowsXP_20070425.000.
partimage -b restore /dev/sda1 windowsXP_20070425.000
2.2. User interface
-
Start Partimage.
partimage -
Select the partition you want to restore.
/dev/sda1 -
Change with Tabulator into the next field.
Enter the image filename. ex.
windowsXP_20070425.000 -
Change with F5 to the next screen.
If you are sure then answer the question with OK.
Now your partition will be restored.
Backup / restore with fsarchiver
This is only an example for a partition with Windows, but fsarchiver can work with Linux and other partitions too.
Backup: fsarchiver savefs windows.fsa /dev/sda1
Restore: fsarchiver restfs windows.fsa /dev/sda1
PXE Boot from network (DHCP, TFTP, NFS, Samba, FTP, HTTP) - Linux server
The network boot will be explained with working example setups. When you understood the concept, then you can use your own server setups and directory structures. Everything is flexible and can be configured to be anywhere on your server.
The minimum requirements to boot from a network are a DHCP server and a TFTP server.
The access to the Plop Linux files can be via NFS share, Samba share, TFTP, FTP or HTTP.
Basic conditions for this example setup:
- Network type: 10.0.0.x Netmask 255.255.255.0
- Server IP: 10.0.0.1
- Client IP: will be 10.0.0.250 from DHCP with MAC address
- TFTP root directory: /tftpboot
It works with other IP addresses too!
Here are config files for a Linux test system in an archive: pxeconfs.tgz
| 1. Setup |
| 1.1. Extract the Plop Linux files |
| 1.2. Setup the DHCP server |
| 1.3. Setup the TFTP server |
| 2. NFS |
| 2.1. Boot with NFS |
| 2.2. Boot ISO over NFS |
| 3. Samba network share |
| 3.1. Boot with Samba network share |
| 3.2. Boot ISO over Samba network share |
| 4. TFTP |
| 4.1. Boot only with TFTP |
| 4.2. Boot ISO over TFTP |
| 5. FTP |
| 5.1. Boot with FTP |
| 5.2. Boot ISO over FTP |
| 6. HTTP |
| 6.1. Boot with HTTP |
| 6.2. Boot ISO over HTTP |
| 7. Boot problems |
1. Setup
1.1. Extract the Plop Linux files
Extract the file ploplinux-pxeboot.tgz to your root directory
tar xfz ploplinux-pxeboot.tgz -C /
Now you have the basic directory structure and files in /tftpboot
Extract the file ploplinux-4.2.2.tgz to /tmp
tar xfz ploplinux-4.2.2.tgz -C /tmp
Move the files to /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/
mv /tmp/ploplinux-4.2.2/* /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/
Now you should have the following directories and files
/tftpboot/
/ploplinux-netboot/
/boot.msg
/memtest
/menu.c32
/spash.png
/vesamenu.c32
/pxelinux.0
/ploplinux/
/bin/
/bin.sqfs
/etc.tgz
/lib.sqfs
/opt/
/ploplinux
/pxelinux.cfg/
/default
/syslinux/
/kernel/
/bzImage
/initramfs.gz
/plop/
/plpbt.bin
/plpinstc.com
When you copy the opt.sqfs to the ploplinux/opt/ directory, then you are able to run Gnome over the network and use Firefox and other tools.
1.2. Setup the DHCP server
You need the DHCP server software. If your distribution has none then you can use
dhcp-3.1.3
(or search for the latest on the net) and
compile it.
This is the example DHCP server configuration.
The very important line is filename "/ploplinux/pxelinux.0";
ddns-update-style ad-hoc;
subnet 10.0.0.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
option routers 10.0.0.1;
}
allow booting;
allow bootp;
# Standard configuration directives...
option domain-name "plop";
option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;
option broadcast-address 10.0.0.255;
option domain-name-servers 10.0.0.1;
option routers 10.0.0.1;
# Group the PXE bootable hosts together
group {
# PXE-specific configuration directives...
next-server 10.0.0.1;
filename "/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.0";
# You need an entry like this for every host
# unless you're using dynamic addresses
host testpc {
hardware ethernet 00:0C:6E:A6:1A:E6;
fixed-address 10.0.0.250;
}
}
To start the DHCP server simply run dhcpd
1.3. Setup the TFTP server
Download the latest TFTP server from ftp://www.kernel.org/pub/software/network/tftp/ and install it with ./configure --prefix=/usr && make && make install
To start the TFTP server we use xinetd
Here is the base xinetd config file
File name: /etc/xinetd.conf#
# Simple configuration file for xinetd
#
# Some defaults, and include /etc/xinetd.d/
defaults
{
log_type = SYSLOG daemon info
log_on_success = PID HOST DURATION
log_on_failure = HOST
instances = 100
per_source = 20
}
includedir /etc/xinetd.d
And the configuration for the tftp server.
The important line is server_args = -s /tftpboot for the tftp root
directory.
# default: off
# description: The tftp server serves files using the trivial
# file transfer \
# protocol. The tftp protocol is often used to boot diskless \
# workstations, download configuration files to
# network-aware printers, \
# and to start the installation process for some operating systems.
service tftp
{
socket_type = dgram
protocol = udp
wait = yes
user = root
#only_from = 10.0.0.1
server = /usr/sbin/in.tftpd
server_args = -s /tftpboot
disable = no
per_source = 11
cps = 100 2
}
To start xinetd simply run xinetd
2. NFS
2.1. Boot with NFS
Requirements are the DHCP and TFTP Server (Setup).
Basic configs for your NFS server, without security aspects:
File name: /etc/exports
/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot 10.0.0.250(ro)
File name: /etc/hosts.allow
portmap: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0 lockd: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0 rquotad: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0 mountd: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0 statd: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0
File name: /etc/hosts.deny
portmap:ALL lockd:ALL mountd:ALL rquotad:ALL statd:ALL
Parameter: nfsmount=NFSSHARE|ADDITIONALPARAMS
Example: nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
Example: nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot|rsize=2048,wsize=2048,nolock,vers=2,hard,intr
File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/nfs.conf
# Boot from NFS
label linux-nfs
menu label Plop Linux - NFS
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux
label linuxfb-nfs
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - NFS
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux
nfs.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
If the DHCP, Xinetd and NFS server are running correct you should be able to boot Plop Linux via network. When you copy the opt.sqfs to the ploplinux/opt/ directory, then you are able to run Gnome over the network and use Firefox and other tools.
2.2. Boot ISO over NFS
You need the ISO ploplinux-4.2.2.iso, the directory structure and files of ploplinux-pxeboot.tgz and the syslinux directory of ploplinux-4.2.2.tgz. The DHCP and TFTP Server must work.
Basic configs for your NFS server, without security aspects:
File name: /etc/exports
/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot 10.0.0.250(ro)
File name: /etc/hosts.allow
portmap: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0 lockd: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0 rquotad: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0 mountd: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0 statd: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0
File name: /etc/hosts.deny
portmap:ALL lockd:ALL mountd:ALL rquotad:ALL statd:ALL
Copy ploplinux-4.2.2.iso to /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/
Create a symlink ln -s ploplinux-4.2.2.iso ploplinux.iso
Parameter: nfsmount=NFSSHARE|ADDITIONALPARAMS iso_filename=ISOFILE
On the server: /nfsboot/ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux.iso
Example: nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
Example: nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot|rsize=2048,wsize=2048,nolock,vers=2,hard,intr iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/nfs-iso.conf
# Boot from NFS - ISO
label linux-nfs-iso
menu label Plop Linux - NFS ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
label linuxfb-nfs-iso
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - NFS ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
nfs-iso.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/nfs-iso.conf to enable the loading of
nfs-iso.conf.
3. Samba network share
3.1. Boot with Samba network share
Requirements are the DHCP and TFTP Server (Setup).
Basic configs for your Samba server, without security aspects:
Create the share ploplinux-netboot
File name: /etc/samba/smb.conf
;=== CUT ===== [ploplinux-netboot] path = /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot writable = no read only = no ;=== CUT =====
Parameter: smbmount=//SERVER/SHARE:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD
SMBUSER: user to access the share. If the share permits access to all users then use "" for SMBUSER
SMBPASSWORD: password of the user to access the share. For an empty password use ""
Example: smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:myuser:mypass
Example: smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:myuser2:""
# Boot from Samba/Windows share
label linux-smb
menu label Plop Linux - Samba
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD
label linuxfb-smb
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - Samba
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD
smb.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/smb.conf to enable the loading of
smb.conf.
When the DHCP, Xinetd and Samba server are running correct you should be able to boot Plop Linux via network. When you copy the opt.sqfs to the ploplinux/opt/ directory, then you are able to run Gnome over the network and use Firefox and other tools.
3.2. Boot ISO over Samba
You need the ISO ploplinux-4.2.2.iso, the directory structure and files of ploplinux-pxeboot.tgz and the syslinux directory of ploplinux-4.2.2.tgz. The DHCP and TFTP Server must work.
Basic configs for your Samba server, without security aspects:
Create the share ploplinux-netboot
File name: /etc/samba/smb.conf
;=== CUT ===== [ploplinux-netboot] path = /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot writable = no read only = no ;=== CUT =====
Copy ploplinux-4.2.2.iso to /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/
Create there a symlink ln -s ploplinux-4.2.2.iso ploplinux.iso
Parameter: smbmount=//SERVER/SHARE:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD iso_filename=ISOFILE
SMBUSER: user to access the share. If the share permits access to all users then use "" for SMBUSER
SMBPASSWORD: password of the user to access the share. For an empty password use ""
ISOFILE: ploplinux.iso (relative to the share)
On the server: /nfsboot/ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux.iso
Example: smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:myuser:mypass iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
Example: smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:myuser2:"" iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/smb-iso.conf
# Boot from Samba/Windows share - ISO
label linux-smb-iso
menu label Plop Linux - Samba ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
label linuxfb-smb-iso
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - Samba ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
smb-iso.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/smb-iso.conf to enable the loading of
smb-iso.conf.
4. TFTP
4.1. Boot only with TFTP
Requirements are the DHCP and TFTP Server (Setup).
Create the file /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist for TFTP boot that lists all Plop Linux files.
cd /tftpboot
find ploplinux-netboot > ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist
Example file: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist
Parameter: tftpboot=SERVER|FILELIST dir=PLOPLINUXDIRECTORY
Example: tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist dir=/ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux
File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/tftp.conf
# boot from TFTP
label linux-tftp
menu label Plop Linux - TFTP
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist dir=/ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux
label linuxfb-tftp
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - TFTP
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist dir=/ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux
tftp.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/tftp.conf to enable the loading of
tftp.conf.
4.2. Boot ISO over TFTP
You need the ISO ploplinux-4.2.2.iso, the directory structure and files of ploplinux-pxeboot.tgz and the syslinux directory of ploplinux-4.2.2.tgz. The DHCP and TFTP Server must work.
Create the file /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/filelist-iso for TFTP boot with the Plop Linux ISO file name.
cd /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
echo ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux.iso > filelist-iso
Copy ploplinux-4.2.2.iso to /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/
Create a symlink ln -s ploplinux-4.2.2.iso ploplinux.iso
Parameter: tftpboot=SERVER|FILELIST iso_filename=ISOFILE
Example: tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/tftp-iso.conf
# boot from TFTP - ISO
label linux-tftp-iso
menu label Plop Linux - TFTP ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
label linuxfb-tftp-iso
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - TFTP ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
tftp-iso.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/tftp-iso.conf to enable the loading of
tftp-iso.conf.
5. FTP
5.1. Boot with FTP
Requirements are the DHCP and TFTP Server (Setup) and a FTP Server.
The FTP root directory is in this example /tftpboot/
Create the file /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/filelist for FTP boot that lists all Plop Linux files.
cd /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
find > ftpfilelist
Example file: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/ftpfilelist
Parameter: url=ftp://FTPUSER:FTPPASSWORD@FTPSERVER/FTPDIRECTORY|FILELIST
Example: url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/ftpfilelist
File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/ftp.conf
# boot from FTP
label linux-ftp
menu label Plop Linux - FTP
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/ftpfilelist
label linuxfb-ftp
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - FTP
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/ftpfilelist
ftp.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/ftp.conf to enable the loading of
ftp.conf.
5.2. Boot ISO over FTP
You need the ISO ploplinux-4.2.2.iso, the directory structure and files of ploplinux-pxeboot.tgz and the syslinux directory of ploplinux-4.2.2.tgz. The DHCP and TFTP Server must work. A FTP Server must be available.
The FTP root directory is in this example /tftpboot/
Create the file /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/filelist-iso for FTP boot with the Plop Linux ISO file name.
cd /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
echo ploplinux.iso > filelist-iso
Copy ploplinux-4.2.2.iso to /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/
Create a symlink ln -s ploplinux-4.2.2.iso ploplinux.iso
Parameter: url=ftp://FTPUSER:FTPPASSWORD@FTPSERVER/FTPDIRECTORY|FILELIST iso_filename=ISOFILE
Example: url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/ftp-iso.conf
# boot from FTP - ISO
label linux-ftp-iso
menu label Plop Linux - FTP ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
label linuxfb-ftp-iso
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - FTP ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
ftp-iso.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/ftp-iso.conf to enable the loading of
ftp-iso.conf.
6. HTTP
6.1. Boot with HTTP
Requirements are the DHCP and TFTP Server (Setup) and a WEB Server.
The Virtual Host root directory is in this example /tftpboot/
Create the file /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/filelist for HTTP boot that lists all Plop Linux files.
cd /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
find > webfilelist
Example file: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/webfilelist
Parameter: url=http://USER:PASS@WEBSERVER/WEBDIRECTORY|FILELIST
Example: url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist
Example: url=http://myuser:mypass@www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist
File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/http.conf
# boot from HTTP
label linux-http
menu label Plop Linux - HTTP
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist
label linuxfb-http
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - HTTP
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist
http.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/http.conf to enable the loading of
http.conf.
6.2. Boot ISO over HTTP
You need the ISO ploplinux-4.2.2.iso, the directory structure and files of ploplinux-pxeboot.tgz and the syslinux directory of ploplinux-4.2.2.tgz. The DHCP and TFTP Server must work. A WEB Server must be available.
The Virtual Host root directory is in this example /tftpboot/
Create the file /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/filelist-iso for HTTP boot with the Plop Linux ISO file name.
cd /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
echo ploplinux.iso > filelist-iso
Copy ploplinux-4.2.2.iso to /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/
Create a symlink ln -s ploplinux-4.2.2.iso ploplinux.iso
Parameter: url=http://USER:PASS@WEBSERVER/WEBDIRECTORY|FILELIST iso_filename=ISOFILE
Example: url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
Example: url=http://myuser:mypass@www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/http-iso.conf
# boot from HTTP - ISO
label linux-http-iso
menu label Plop Linux - HTTP ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
label linuxfb-http-iso
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - HTTP ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
http-iso.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/http-iso.conf to enable the loading of
http-iso.conf.
7. Boot problems
Maybe there is somewhere a wrong path. When you are in the boot menu, then press at the entry that you want to boot the tabulator key. Then add at the end of the line "debug". You will see more info's during booting.
PXE Boot from network (DHCP, TFTP, Network share, FTP, HTTP) - Windows server
The minimum requirements to boot from network are a DHCP server and a TFTP server
The access to the Plop Linux files can be with a Windows network share, TFTP, FTP or HTTP
Basic conditions for this example setup:
- Network type: 10.0.0.x Netmask 255.255.255.0
- Server IP: 10.0.0.1
- Client IP: received from the DHCP server
- TFTP root directory: c:\tftpboot
It works with other IP addresses too!
| 1. Setup |
| 1.1. Extract the Plop Linux files |
| 1.2. Setup the DHCP and TFTP server |
| 2. The network share |
| 2.1 Boot with Windows network share |
| 2.2 Boot the ISO over the Windows network share |
| 3. TFTP |
| 3.1 Boot with TFTP |
| 3.2 Boot the ISO over TFTP |
| 4. FTP |
| 4.1 Boot with FTP |
| 4.2 Boot the ISO over FTP |
| 5. HTTP |
| 5.1 Boot with HTTP |
| 5.2 Boot the ISO over HTTP |
| 6. Boot problems |
1. Setup
1.1. Extract the Plop Linux files
Extract the file ploplinux-pxeboot.zip to c:\
Now you have the basic directory structure and files in c:\tftpboot.
Extract the file ploplinux-4.2.2.zip
Copy the content of the directory ploplinux-4.2.2\ to c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\.
Now you should have the following directories and files
c:\tftpboot\
\ploplinux-netboot\
\boot.msg
\memtest
\menu.c32
\spash.png
\vesamenu.c32
\pxelinux.0
\ploplinux\
\bin\
\bin.sqfs
\etc.tgz
\lib.sqfs
\opt\
\ploplinux
\pxelinux.cfg\
\default
\syslinux\
\kernel\
\bzImage
\initramfs.gz
\plop\
\plpbt.bin
\plpinstc.com
When you copy the opt.sqfs to the ploplinux/opt/ directory, then you are able to run Gnome over the network and use Firefox and other tools.
1.2. Setup the DHCP and TFTP server
Use TFTPD32 from http://tftpd32.jounin.net/. This is a DHCP and TFTP server in one program.
TFTPD32 settings:
- Set base directory to c:\tftpboot
- Enable TFTP server
- Enable DHCP server
- If needed TFTP security none
- Enable Option negotiation
- Enable Translate Unix file names
Setup DHCP:
- IP pool address starting with 10.0.0.100
- Boot file \ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.0
2. Windows network share
2.1. Boot with Windows network share
Requirements are the DHPC and TFTP Server (Setup).
Share the directory c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot with the share name ploplinux-netboot.
Parameter: smbmount=//SERVER/SHARE:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD
SMBUSER: user to access the share. If the share permits access to all users then use "" for SMBUSER
SMBPASSWORD: password of the user to access the share. For an empty password use ""
Example: smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux:myuser:mypass
Example: smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux:myuser2:""
File name: c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\smb.conf
# Boot from Samba/Windows share
label linux-smb
menu label Plop Linux - Samba
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD
label linuxfb-smb
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - Samba
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD
smb.conf is loaded by c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/smb.conf to enable the loading of
smb.conf.
If the tftpd32 is running correct you should be able to boot Plop Linux via network.
If you copy the opt.sqfs to the ploplinux/opt/ directory, then you are able to run Gnome over the network and use Firefox and other tools.
2.2. Boot ISO over the Windows network share
You need the ISO ploplinux-4.2.2.iso, the directory structure and files of ploplinux-pxeboot.zip and the syslinux directory of ploplinux-4.2.2.zip. The DHCP and TFTP Server must work.
Requirements are the DHPC and TFTP Server (Setup).
Share the directory c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot with the share name ploplinux-netboot
Copy ploplinux-4.2.2.iso to c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\
Rename it to ploplinux.iso
Parameter smbmount=//SERVER/SHARE:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD iso_filename=ISOFILE
SMBUSER: user to access the share. If the share permits access to all users then use "" for SMBUSER
SMBPASSWORD: password of the user to access the share. For an empty password use ""
iso_filename=: ISO name relative to the share
Example: smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:myuser:mypass iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
Example: smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:myuser:"" iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
File name: c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\smb-iso.conf
# Boot from Samba/Windows share - ISO
label linux-smb-iso
menu label Plop Linux - Samba ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
label linuxfb-smb-iso
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - Samba ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
smb-iso.conf is loaded by c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/smb-iso.conf to enable the loading of
smb-iso.conf.
3. TFTP
3.1. Boot only with TFTP
Requirements are the DHPC and TFTP Server (Setup).
Create the file c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\filelist for TFTP boot that lists all Plop Linux files. You can use the program genfilelist.exe from the command line.
genfilelist c:\tftpboot ploplinux-netboot > c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\tftpfilelist
Example file: c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\tftpfilelist
Parameter: tftpboot=SERVER|FILELIST dir=PLOPLINUXDIRECTORY
Example: tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist dir=/ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux
File name: c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\tftp.conf
# boot from TFTP
label linux-tftp
menu label Plop Linux - TFTP
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist dir=/ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux
label linuxfb-tftp
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - TFTP
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist dir=/ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux
tftp.conf is loaded by c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/tftp.conf to enable the loading of
tftp.conf.
3.2. Boot ISO over TFTP
You need the ISO ploplinux-4.2.2.iso, the directory structure and files of ploplinux-pxeboot.zip and the syslinux directory of ploplinux-4.2.2.zip. The DHCP and TFTP Server must work.
Copy ploplinux-4.2.2.iso
to c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\
Rename it to ploplinux.iso
Create the file c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\filelist-iso for TFTP boot with the Plop Linux ISO file name. In the file the path has to use "/" instead of "\".
echo "ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux.iso" > c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\filelist-iso
Parameter: tftpboot=SERVER|FILELIST iso_filename=ISOFILE
Example: tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
File name: c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\tftp-iso.conf
# boot from TFTP - ISO
label linux-tftp-iso
menu label Plop Linux - TFTP ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
label linuxfb-tftp-iso
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - TFTP ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
tftp-iso.conf is loaded by c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/tftp-iso.conf to enable the loading of
tftp-iso.conf.
4. FTP
4.1. Boot with FTP
Requirements are the DHPC and TFTP Server (Setup) and a FTP Server.
The FTP root directory is in this example /tftpboot/.
Create the file c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\filelist for FTP boot that lists all Plop Linux files. You can use the program genfilelist.exe from the command line.
genfilelist c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot ploplinux > c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\ftpfilelist
Example file: c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\ftpfilelist
Parameter: url=ftp://FTPUSER:FTPPASSWORD@FTPSERVER/FTPDIRECTORY|FILELIST
Example: url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/ftpfilelist
File name: c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\ftp.conf
# boot from FTP
label linux-ftp
menu label Plop Linux - FTP
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/ftpfilelist
label linuxfb-ftp
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - FTP
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/ftpfilelist
ftp.conf is loaded by c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/ftp.conf to enable the loading of
ftp.conf.
4.2. Boot ISO over FTP
You need the ISO ploplinux-4.2.2.iso, the directory structure and files of ploplinux-pxeboot.zip and the syslinux directory of ploplinux-4.2.2.zip. The DHCP and TFTP Server must work. A FTP Server must be available.
The FTP root directory is in this example /tftpboot/.
Copy ploplinux-4.2.2.iso
to c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\
Rename it to ploplinux.iso
Create the file c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\filelist-iso for FTP boot with the Plop Linux ISO file name. In the file the path has to use "/" instead of "\".
echo "ploplinux.iso" > c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\filelist-iso
Parameter: url=ftp://FTPUSER:FTPPASSWORD@FTPSERVER/FTPDIRECTORY|FILELIST iso_filename=ISOFILE
Example: url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
File name: c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\ftp-iso.conf
# boot from FTP - ISO
label linux-ftp-iso
menu label Plop Linux - FTP ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
label linuxfb-ftp-iso
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - FTP ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
ftp-iso.conf is loaded by c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/ftp-iso.conf to enable the loading of
ftp-iso.conf.
5. HTTP
5.1. Boot with HTTP
Requirements are the DHPC and TFTP Server (Setup) and a WEB Server.
The Virtual Host root directory is in this example /tftpboot/.
Create the file c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\filelist for HTTP boot that lists all Plop Linux files. You can use the program genfilelist.exe from the command line.
genfilelist c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot ploplinux > c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\webfilelist
Example file: c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\webfilelist
Parameter: url=http://USER:PASS@WEBSERVER/WEBDIRECTORY|FILELIST
Example: url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist
Example: url=http://myuser:mypass@www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist
File name: c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\http.conf
# boot from HTTP
label linux-http
menu label Plop Linux - HTTP
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist
label linuxfb-http
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - HTTP
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist
http.conf is loaded by c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/http.conf to enable the loading of
http.conf.
5.2. Boot ISO over HTTP
You need the ISO ploplinux-4.2.2.iso, the directory structure and files of ploplinux-pxeboot.zip and the syslinux directory of ploplinux-4.2.2.zip. The DHCP and TFTP Server must work. A WEB Server must be available.
The Virtual Host root directory is in this example c:\tftpboot\.
Copy ploplinux-4.2.2.iso
to c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\
Rename it to ploplinux.iso
Create the file c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\filelist-iso for HTTP boot with the Plop Linux ISO file name. In the file the path has to use "/" instead of "\".
echo "ploplinux.iso" > c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\filelist-iso
Parameter: url=http://USER:PASS@WEBSERVER/WEBDIRECTORY|FILELIST iso_filename=ISOFILE
Example: url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
Example: url=http://myuser:mypass@www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
File name: c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\http-iso.conf
# boot from HTTP - ISO
label linux-http-iso
menu label Plop Linux - HTTP ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
label linuxfb-http-iso
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - HTTP ISO
kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/filelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
http-iso.conf is loaded by c:\tftpboot\ploplinux-netboot\pxelinux.cfg\default
Remove the # in the line with #include pxelinux.cfg/http-iso.conf to enable the loading of
http-iso.conf.
6. Boot problems
Maybe there is somewhere a wrong path. When you are in the boot menu, then press at the entry that you want to boot the tabulator key. Then add at the end of the line "debug". You will see more info's during booting.
NAS Server (FTP, NFS, Samba, SSHFS), Media Stream Server, Print Server, Wake On LAN
| Introduction |
| Add the NAS user |
| Mount the hard disk and test FTP access |
| NFS |
| Samba |
| SSHFS |
| Media Stream Server - ushare |
| Printer Server - cupsd |
| Wake on LAN |
| Restore all settings at bootup |
| Final words |
Introduction
This example shows how to setup a NAS Server (Network Attached Storage Server) and a few other Servers with the Live Plop Linux Version. You can run it from CD/USB or from the Network.
I think, for a NAS Server is the Plop Linux Developer Version better than the Live Version, but this example should show you that everything is possible with the Live Version.
Note: When you use the Plop Linux Developer Version, then few things are different to this example.
Add the NAS user
Run the following commands
groupadd nas useradd nas -d /home/nas -g nas mkdir /home/nas chown nas:nas /home/nas chmod 700 /home/nas passwd nas
Mount the hard disk and test FTP access
Example: mounting a FAT partition with nas user rw access
mount /dev/sda1 /home/nas -o uid=$(id -u nas)
Example: mounting an Ext partition
mount /dev/sda2 /home/nas
You can test the write access when you run
ftp localhost
Login as user nas. Create a directory with "mkdir nastest". Do a "ls" to list the files.
FTP config file: /etc/proftpd.conf
NFS
Edit the file /etc/exports. Change /mnt to /home/nas. You can also set the some security here.
For quick localhost test allow access from 127.0.0.1:
/home/nas 192.168.0.* 10.0.0.* 127.0.0.1(rw)
Reload the changes with exportfs -ra. You will see some info's.
Stop NFS: killall -9 nfsd rpc.statd rpc.mountd portmap
Restart NFS: startnfs
Test mount (example your server has the IP 10.0.0.200): mount 10.0.0.200:/home/nas /mnt
Do a "ls /mnt" to see the files.
Do a "umount /mnt" to unmount.
For NFS details see the NFS homepage.
Samba
Add the Samba user with "smbpassword -a nas"
Test mount: mount //localhost/nas /mnt -t smbfs -o username=nas
Do a "ls /mnt" to see the files.
Do a "umount /mnt" to unmount.
Samba config file: /etc/samba/smb.conf
SSHFS
I suggest that you generate your own keys with "sshkeygen.sh". You have to do that only once. The keys will be restored (with "Restore all settings at bootup").
To enable the connection as root set a password with "passwd"
Test mount: sshfs localhost:/ /mnt
Do a "ls /mnt" to see the files.
Do a "umount /mnt" to unmount.
Allow other users to connect with ssh/sshfs and other options see config file: /etc/ssh/sshd_config
Media Stream Server - ushare
To use ushare you need the opt.sqfs.
Start ushare (-x for Xbox support, -D for background start): ushare -x -c /home/nas -D
Printer Server - cupsd
To use cupsd you need the opt.sqfs.
To configure CUPS from the text mode use "lynx localhost:631".
When you start Gnome or Fluxbox, then you can configure CUPS with a graphical browser.
When you configured CUPS to allow access from your LAN, then you can login from the LAN with any browser and the URL http://SERVERIP:631
CUPS config files: /etc/opt/cups
Wake on LAN
To enable WOL (Wake on LAN) for eth0 run setwol.
The script is: /media/ploplinux/bin/setwol
To wake up the computer you need the MAC address. You get it with "ifconfig eth0". Its the HWaddr (ex. 00:2a:c9:d8:a3:a1). Wake up form another PC (I suggest to write that in a file to execute it easily): wol 00:2a:c9:d8:a3:a1
Restore all settings at bootup
This is not the smartest, but fastest way to store and restore the settings. When you want a cleaner solution then store only the related files.
Stop NFS: killall -9 nfsd rpc.statd rpc.mountd portmap
Unmount the hard disk: umount /home/nas
Store the settings: tar cfz /nas.tar.gz /etc /home/nas
Copy nas.tar.gz to the ploplinux/opt directory.
Create the script ploplinux/bin/startnas
#!/bin/sh echo Setup NAS Server tar xfz $PLOPLINUX_DIR/opt/nas.tar.gz -C / # mount the hard disk like described above mount /dev/sda1 /home/nas # restart nfs killall -9 nfsd rpc.statd rpc.mountd portmap exportfs -ra >& /dev/null startnfs # reload other daemon configs killall -HUP sshd killall -HUP proftpd killall -HUP smbd killall -HUP cupsd # start ushare ushare -x -c /home/nas -D # activate wol setwol
Add at the last line of ploplinux/bin/rc.local the line "sh startnas".
When you boot the Live Plop Linux, then your NAS Server is ready.
Final words
You see, it's easy to setup a NAS Server with the Live version of Plop Linux. You can also add iptables rules to use it as router and firewall. Plop Linux is very powerful and you can do anything you want. When you want to remove the USB drive or CD, then use the copy2ram option as kernel parameter (the line with "append") in the syslinux/syslinux.cfg file.
You should also read Plop Linux Developer Version as desktop installation.
Xorg, Gnome, Fluxbox, gparted and more
I created a opt.sqfs with Xorg, Gnome, Fluxbox, gparted, a picture viewer, firefox, mplayer and other programs. You simply have to download opt.sqfs and copy it to the ploplinux/opt/ directory. You can start Gnome with startx.
Security: Desktop sharing is active!
Fluxbox instead of Gnome: Use the command "usefluxbox" and then "startx".
opt-tiny.sqfs is a smaller version. To use it, copy the file to the ploplinux/opt/ directory and rename it to opt.sqfs.
Run Gnome at startup: Remove the "#" in front of autostartx in the file ploplinux/bin/rc.local. To use Fluxbox write usefluxbox above the line.
Use ~/.xmyinit and ~/.mygnome to start programs at startup.
Note: You can run Gnome and Fluxbox from the network too.
Download
Quick start: ploplinux-4.2.2-X.iso is a LiveCD. Program list
Alternative versions: see Download Page.
Flashplayer
Download the latest Adobe Flash Player from Adobe.
Choose the tar.gz version.
Extract the file and copy libflashplayer.so to the Plop Linux directory
OpenOffice / LibreOffice
See here.
Screenshot
|
Gnome 3 Zoom |
Gnome 3 Zoom |
|
Fluxbox Zoom |
||
Example: add Office and create a custom opt.sqfs
You can add LibreOffice and / or OpenOffice to opt.sqfs. Use the addoffice.sh script.
Parameters
First parameter: the office install-rpm-tar.gz file second parameter (required for LibreOffice, recommended for OpenOffice): the JRE install bin file
To create the new opt.sqfs you need
A linux file system (ext2/3/4). FAT or NTFS does not work!
About 4.5G free space to extract and compress the files temporary. The final opt.sqfs will be about 200MB bigger than the original opt.sqfs.
The Plop Linux opt.sqfs with X
For LibreOffice:
1. The install rpm tar gz file from the LibreOffice download page. Example name: LibO_3.4.2_Linux_x86_install-rpm_en-US.tar.gz
2. JRE rpm bin file from the Oracle java download page. Example name: jre-6u25-linux-i586-rpm.bin
For OpenOffice:
1. The linux install rpm tar gz file from the OpenOffice download page. Example name: OOo_3.3.0_Linux_x86_install-rpm-wJRE_en-US.tar.gz
2. JRE rpm bin file from the Oracle java download page. Example name: jre-6u25-linux-i586-rpm.bin
When you don't use Plop Linux to add office to the opt.sqfs then you need the programs mksquashfs, unsquashfs, rpm2targz, head, grep.
How to use addoffice.sh
Create in your home directory a new directory. For this example we use ploplinux_newopt.
Copy the following files to ploplinux_newopt:
- addoffice.sh
- jre-6u25-linux-i586-rpm.bin
- LibO_3.4.2_Linux_x86_install-rpm_en-US.tar.gz or OOo_3.3.0_Linux_x86_install-rpm-wJRE_en-US.tar.gz
- opt.sqfs
When you have all required programs then open a terminal, change to ploplinux_newopt and run for LibreOffice
sh addoffice.sh LibO_3.4.2_Linux_x86_install-rpm_en-US.tar.gz jre-6u25-linux-i586-rpm.bin
for OpenOffice
sh addoffice.sh OOo_3.3.0_Linux_x86_install-rpm-wJRE_en-US.tar.gz jre-6u25-linux-i586-rpm.bin
The script creates the file opt_new.sqfs. Replace it with the old opt.sqfs of Plop Linux.
Use addoffice.sh with Plop Linux
We assume you copied all required files to ploplinux_newopt.
-
Boot Plop Linux
Mount the Linux drive with the ploplinux_newopt directory. You can use the command automount to mount all drives to /mnt
-
Change to ploplinux_newopt. Use "mc /mnt" to walk quickly through the directories.
-
When you are in ploplinux_newopt then run for LibreOffice
sh addoffice.sh LibO_3.4.2_Linux_x86_install-rpm_en-US.tar.gz jre-6u25-linux-i586-rpm.bin
for OpenOffice
sh addoffice.sh OOo_3.3.0_Linux_x86_install-rpm-wJRE_en-US.tar.gz jre-6u25-linux-i586-rpm.bin
-
The script creates the file opt_new.sqfs. Replace it with the old opt.sqfs of Plop Linux.
x64 (64bit) version
ploplinux-4.2.2-x64.iso is the 64bit version of Plop Linux with the 32bit programs. The kernel has 32bit emulation activated. This means you are able to run all programs from the 32bit Plop Linux. This 64bit version can be used to run 64bit programs and its also possible to chroot to a 64bit Linux and run programs there.
A full 64bit Live Version is currently not available as download.
The 64bit Developer Version is currently not available as download.
Language settings
Add locale-archive.gz to the ploplinux/opt/ directory. Extract it with "gunzip locale-archive.gz".
Example to setup german settings: setlang-german.sh
setfont lat0-16 -m 8859-1
loadkeys de-latin1
echo export LANG=de_DE.UTF8 >> /etc/profile
Perl modules
Add perl5.tar.gz to the ploplinux/opt/ directory. Extract it with tar xfz perl5.tar.gz
Welcome text
Edit the file ploplinux/bin/welcome.txt to change the text.
Ext2/3 instead of FAT
If you want to use Ext2/3 on your USB drive then use extlinux instead of syslinux. The file syslinux.cfg must be renamed to extlinux.conf.
Splash screen
Replace the file syslinux/splash.png with your own image.
| Background image |  Zoom |
| Screenshot with menu | 
Zoom |
You find detailed info's with commands and colors and so on at the syslinux menu.c32 page.
If you want a text mode menu then use menu.c32 instead of vesamenu.c32.
Special commands
| eth | - | quick setup ip address for eth0 |
| dhclient | - | get ip address from dhcp server |
| pciprobe | - | load device modules |
| ntfs mount | - | mount -t ntfs-3g devicename mountpoint |
| setupfprot | - | extract fprot to use it |
| setupavast | - | extract avast to use it |
| setupavg | - | extract avg to use it |
Boot parameter
| copy2ram | - | copy the Linux files to the RAM |
| busybox | - | start Busybox |
| root= | - | required to force a boot device, ex. root=/dev/hda4 |
| vga= | - | set screen resolution / framebuffer |
| force_hd | - | do not scan cdrom drives |
| force_usb | - | do not scan ide hard disks |
| media_reverse_scan | - | scan drive from i to a |
| dir= | - | search Plop Linux in another directory than /ploplinux Example: dir=/test/ploplinux2 |
|
nfsmount= smbmount= tftpboot= url= | - | network boot |
| iso_filename | - | ISO file |
| debug | - | Debug output |
Support for blind / visually impaired users (brltty, Orca)
| 1. Introduction |
| 2. The startbrl script |
| 3. Orca Screen Reader |
| 3.1. Default Orca start |
| 3.2. Keep Orca configured |
1. Introduction
The opt.sqfs with Xorg, Gnome and so on, has the programs brltty and the screen reader Orca included. To automatically start brltty and Orca you have to uncomment the last line in the file "ploplinux/bin/rc.local". There is the command "#sh startbrl". Remove the "#" at the beginning of the line. The Plop Linux ISO file ploplinux-4.2.2-X-brl.iso is already configured to run startbrl during the boot process.
2. The startbrl script
You find the script in the ploplinux/bin/ directory. When Plop Linux is booted then the directory is /media/ploplinux/bin/.
The script starts the program brltty and creates a script that Orca automatically starts when Gnome is started. In the second line from the bottom of startbrl you will find the autostartx command. autostartx automatically starts Gnome when Plop Linux has been booted.
When startbrl finished executing, then you hear a beep sound. If you don't auto start Gnome, then you are at the command line when you hear the beep.
3. Orca Screen Reader
3.1. Default Orca start
Orca is not configured. When Gnome has been started, then you can do the initial Orca setup. The setup program is started automatically and opens the Orca Preferences Panel.
When you want to kill Gnome then press the keys CTRL ALT BACKSPACE at the same time. This will stop the X Server (and Gnome) and you are at the command line. To start Gnome again you have to run "startx".
3.2. Keep Orca configured
When you configured Orca (and other stuff) and you want to automatically restore these settings when you boot, then you have to save the settings with the following command:
tar cfz /root.tar.gz /root
When you booted from a writeable drive (USB drive, network share, ...) then copy the file /root.tar.gz to the /media/ploplinux/opt/ directory. startbrl will extract this file during the boot and all your settings will be restored.
When you booted from a write protected drive (DVD and so on) then you have save the file /root.tar.gz to a writeable drive. Later you have to create for example a new ISO with the root.tar.gz file in the ploplinux/opt/ directory.
Developer Version
The Plop Linux Developer Version is my Linux that I use for any purpose. It's used to create the Live Plop Linux. I use it for any kind of server and it's my Desktop Linux. When I need a Web or Mail Server or whatever, then I take the Plop Linux files and compile the software that I need. I do not use any common Linux Distribution on any PC. You can use Plop Linux as base Linux and extend it in any way you want. But you have to compile additional software by yourself. See the example Plop Linux Developer Version as desktop installation.
You find various /opt versions in /root/opt-files. For example one with Xorg 7.6 only.
root password is "root"
Example: Plop Linux Developer Version as desktop installation
You can download the Plop Linux Developer Version in the following formats
| ploplinux-developer-20120418.tar.gz | 1.8 GB | files tar gzip compressed |
| ploplinux-developer-20120418.fsa | 1.8 GB | fsarchiver file |
| ploplinux-developer-20120418.img.gz | 3.2 GB | gzip compressed raw hard disk image |
The 64 Bit Developer Version is currenlty not available as download.
Plop Linux Developer Version as desktop installation
Introduction
This example describes how to install the Plop Linux Developer Version and use it as desktop installation. You will see how to add an user, setup wlan and add software.
You will see different ways to install software and how to compile software.
The computer is an Asus Eee-PC 1215T. It has Windows installed and a data partition. The data partition will be used to install Plop Linux on it. The Plop Boot Manager is the default boot manager. The Windows partition will be still available to boot Windows (but who wants to do this?).
Partition Layout
| sda1 | Windows NTFS partition |
| sda2 | Recovery partition for Windows |
| sda3 | Data partition NTFS. This partition will be used for Plop Linux |
| sda4 | EFI partition |
Plop Boot Manager installation from USB
Boot from USB. (hotkey ESC and select the USB drive).
Choose the boot manager installer.
Set the destination drive to the internal hard disk. Press key "7" and then the key for 81h.
Use "1" to install the boot manager.
Reboot
Plop Boot Manager should be visible.
Go to SETUP / PROFILES / OS HARDDISK 1
Change the profile name to "windows".
Save with ESC.
Choose an empty profile
Set label to "plop linux"
Set "visible" to "yes"
Choose "linked partitions"
Press "b" at hda3
2x ESC and save
You can setup a timeout and other options in "Setup / Bootmanager".
Boot Plop Linux from USB with using the USB option in the Main Menu.
Install Plop Linux
Copy the tar gzipped Plop Linux Developer archive to a directory on the USB drive with your Live Plop Linux.
Boot Plop Linux from USB.
1. Remove the data partition
Run fdisk
Use p to list all partitions. You should see the 3rd partition as /dev/sda3 NTFS partition
Change the type to 0x83 with t, then 3 and then 83
When you want a swap partition, then you have to remove the 3rd partition and create an extended partition with 2 logical partitions. For example /sdev/sda5 became the swap with 2G and the rest is /dev/sda6 for Plop Linux
I don't use a swap partition in this example. When I use the Eee-PC I do nothing that the installed ram is not enough.
Write the changes with w
Format the partition with "mkfs.ext3 /dev/sda3".
2. Copy the files
Mount the partition with "mount /dev/sda3 /mnt".
Extract the Plop Linux Developer archive "tar xfvz [filename] -C /mnt". The USB drive is mounted to /media.
3. LILO
Start the midnight commander and auto change to /mnt "mc /mnt".
Change to the /mnt/etc directory.
Edit the file /mnt/etc/lilo.conf
We install LILO to the Plop Linux boot sector and set the kernel parameter to the Plop Linux partition. In this case it's /dev/sda3.
Change the line boot=/dev/hda1 to boot=/dev/sda3
Change the line append="root=/dev/hda1" to boot=/dev/sda3
Save lilo.conf
Copy the partition device node "cp -av /dev/sda3 /mnt/dev"
Install LILO with running "lilo -r /mnt"
When LILO complains about other /dev/ files, then copy them too.
When you read
Added ploplinux * Added memtestthen the install was successful and warnings can be ignored.
4. fstab
Edit the file /mnt/etc/fstab
Change the line with /dev/hda1 to /dev/sda3
5. Network
When you have no LAN cable connected, then edit the file /mnt/etc/rc.d/init.d/my and write a "#" at the beginning of the line with "dhclient".
For the Eee-PC we will use WLAN, so write the "#" at the beginning of the line.
6. First login
Reboot and choose "plop linux" in the boot manager
Login as root with the password "root"
Change root password with "passwd"
Generate new ssh key's with "sshkeygen.sh", overwrite config files
7. Setup the time zone
Run "mc"
Change to "/usr/share/zoneinfo" and search your zone file
Example how to set for the city vienna: ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/Europe/Vienna /etc/localtime
8. Auto load kernel modules
Change to "/etc/rc.d/init.d"
Edit the file "/etc/rc.d/init.d/my"
Above the line "exit 0" insert "pciprobe"
It's also possible to load single modules with "modprobe"
Add "modprobe powernow_k8" to be able to control the CPU speed of the EEE-PC. Other PC's can need another module for speed settings. Find the other modules in the kernel directory /lib/modules/[kernel]/kernel/drivers/cpufreq
WLAN WPA Setup
1. Create WLAN WPA config
Run "wpa_passphrase MYNETSSID MYPASS > /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf"
2. Auto start WLAN
Change to "/etc/rc.d/init.d"
Edit the file "/etc/rc.d/init.d/my"
Above the line "exit 0" insert
# wlan ifconfig eth0 down ifconfig wlan0 up wpa_supplicant -B -Dwext -i wlan0 -c/etc/wpa_supplicant.conf dhclient wlan0
Add Gnome
1. How to add Gnome
Change to "/root/opt-files"
Extract Gnome with "tar xfvz opt-gnome-3.3.91.tar.gz -C /"
Go up to the "/" directory
Delete the empty /opt directory
Rename the directory /opt-gnome-3.3.91 to /opt
Run "ldconfig"
2. Gnome start test
Exit from the Midnight Commander
Start the minimum required daemons with "dbus-daemon --system && console-kit-daemon"
Start Gnome with "startx"
Gnome should be up, ignore the fall back warning.
Quit Gnome with pressing the keys CTRL ALT BACKSPACE
3. Auto start the daemons
Start the Midnight Commander "mc"
Change to "/etc/rc.d/init.d"
Edit the file "/etc/rc.d/init.d/my"
Above the line "exit 0" insert
# gnome daemons rm -f /var/run/dbus/pid dbus-daemon --system acpid cupsd console-kit-daemon avahi-daemon -D
Hint: acpid is configured to turn of the pc by pressing the power key.
4. Optional: /etc/opt and /var
Currently opt is using /opt/etc and /opt/var. When you want to access the files in /etc/opt and /var then run
mv /opt/etc /etc/opt && ln -s /etc/opt /opt/etc
mv /opt/var / && ln -s /var /opt/var
5. Create your own user
The example user is called "tux"
Create a user group "groupadd user"
Create the user "useradd tux -d /home/tux -s /bin/bash -g user -G audio,video,usb,disk,tty"
Set the user password "passwd tux"
Create the home directory "cp -ar /home/skel /home/tux"
Set the home directory owner "chown tux:user /home/tux -R"
Set home directory permission "chmod 700 /home/tux"
Edit the file "/home/tux/.bash_profile" and replace the "SETUSERNAMEHERE" with the user name "tux"
The file "/home/tux/.zlogin" starts Gnome after 2 seconds when the user logs in at tty1
6. tux user tty1 auto login
Edit the file "/etc/inittab"
Change the line "1:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty --noclear tty1 9600" to
"1:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty --noclear -a tux tty1 9600"
Reboot and tux should automatically log in and start Gnome. After login you have the chance to press CTRL-C within 2 seconds to abort startx.
7. Customize Gnome
Open the Menu Applications / System Tools, Start System Settings, Open "Brightness and Lock", Set "Lock" to off.
Open the Menu Applications / Accessories, Start Advanced Settings, In Desktop set "Have file manager handle the desktop" to on. You can setup many other things with this program.
Press ALT and right mouse key on the panel to add things like the "Battery Charge Monitor"
8. Add printer
Open a web browser, go to http://localhost:631 and add a printer.
Install the Opera browser
Go to http://www.opera.com/browser/download/
Set "Select distribution and vendor" to "Other (TAR)".
Download Opera
Press ALT-F2 and enter gnome-terminal
Run "mc"
Hint: It's a good idea to disable function keys and other things in the gnome-terminal preferences
Extract the opera archive. "tar xfJ [tar.xz file]" or press enter on the archive and copy the files out
Run the program install in the opera directory. When you only have one user, then press always enter to accept the defaults.
To add the Desktop Icon go to ~/.local/share/applications and copy the file opera-browser.desktop to the ~/Desktop directory.
Double click the new white entry and set "Mark as Trusted".
When you restart the Gnome Desktop then you also find the Opera menu entry in the "Internet" menu.
Install the Flash Plugin
Go to http://www.adobe.com/downloads
Choose "Download Adobe Flash Player".
Select "tar.gz for other Linux". Download it.
Press ALT-F2 and enter gnome-terminal
Run "mc"
Hint: It's a good idea to disable function keys and other things in the gnome-terminal preferences
Press the Enter key at the file install_flash_player....tar.gz.
Copy the filelibflashplayer.so to the plugin directory of your browser. Maybe you have to create the plugin directory
Opera: ~/.local/lib/opera/plugins
Firefox: ~/.mozilla/plugins
Install Libre Office
Go to http://www.libreoffice.org/download/
Download the Main installer (150MB) version
Press ALT-F2 and enter gnome-terminal
Run "mc"
Hint: It's a good idea to disable function keys and other things in the gnome-terminal preferences
Extract Libre Office "tar xfz [tar.gz file]"
Change to the extracted directory. And then to the RPMS
Run "rpm2targz *.rpm".
Change to desktop-integration and run "rpm2targz *.rpm".
Go back on directory up.
Run "for i in $(find .|grep tar.gz); do tar xfvz $i; done".
Exit from the Midnight Commander
Run "su" to became root.
Run "cp -avr opt/* /opt".
Run "cp -avr usr/* /opt".
JRE: Download the Self Extracting Installer file from the Oracle java download page. Example name: jre-6u25-linux-i586.bin
When you are still root, the start the Midnight Commander
Make the file executable with "chmod 777 jre-6u25-linux-i586.bin".
Press enter at the file to start it. Now JRE RPM will be extracted.
Move the created jre1.6.0_25 directory to /opt.
Create a symlink in /opt with "ln -s jre1.6.0_25 jre"
When you restart the Gnome Desktop then you will find the office menu entries in the "Office" menu.
Install Gimp - compiling by yourself
I suggest to compile your programs with the /opt prefix to have a clean boot system and all additional stuff in /opt.
Go to http://www.gimp.org/downloads/
Download the latest Gimp 2.6.x source code
Press ALT-F2 and enter gnome-terminal
Hint: It's a good idea to disable function keys and other things in the gnome-terminal preferences
Change to the root user with "su"
Extract the Gimp files "tar xfj [tar.bz2 file]"
Change to the extracted directory.
To install run "./configure --prefix=/opt && make && make install".
You will see the error that the lib "babl" is not installed.
Download babl from http://gegl.org/babl/
Extract the babl files "tar xfj [tar.bz2 file]"
Change to the extracted directory.
To install run "./configure --prefix=/opt && make && make install".
When it compiled and installed without error then go back to the Gimp directory.
Run again "./configure --prefix=/opt && make && make install".
You will see the error that the lib "gegl" is not installed.
Download gegl from http://gegl.org/#_download
Extract the gegl files "tar xfj [tar.bz2 file]"
Change to the extracted directory.
Run "./configure --prefix=/opt --enable-introspection=no && make && make install".
Hint: See all configure options with "./configure --help".
There are more dependences, download the files:
http://ftp.gnome.org/pub/GNOME/sources/pygobject/2.28/pygobject-2.28.6.tar.bz2
http://ftp.gnome.org/pub/GNOME/sources/pygtk/2.24/pygtk-2.24.0.tar.gz
Extract the files
pygobject must be patched, download patch
Go into the extracted pygobject directory
Run "patch -p1 < ../pygobject-2.28.6.patch".
Run "myxconfigure" to install.
Hint: You can also use my scripts "myconfigure" and "myxconfigure".
myconfigure: compiles to /usr
myxconfigure: compiles to /opt
You can also pass parameters, example for gegl: myxconfigure --enable-introspection=no
Go into the extracted pygtk directory
Run "myxconfigure" to install.
Go back to the Gimp directory
Run "myxconfigure" to install.
When you get the error "Couldn't recognize the image file format for file ..." then run "gdk-pixbuf-query-loaders --update-cache" and compile again with "myxconfigure".
Gimp should work fine now.
Final words
You can do with Plop Linux everything that is possible with Linux. When you are a newbie to Linux then maybe it will be too difficult, but give it a try.
You have seen how to install a program with compiling by yourself. You will get more experience when you compile more programs. Some programs have no configure script and you only have to use "make && make install". When you don't know how to compile, then mostly you find a readme file with the install instructions. But basically you have to do always the same things. Some programs must be fixed or patched and sometimes it can be frustrating until everything works, but finally you will have a clean system that looks like you want.
You should also read NAS Server (FTP, NFS, Samba, SSHFS), Media Stream Server, Print Server, Wake On LAN.
History
My idea was to create a small and easy to use rescue Linux. However, over the years it became bigger and more powerful. Here is a short overview of important events.
2003 - First public release 1.0 / 1.x
After a few years of linux experience, I decided to make a own small linux distribution.
Boot: with a compiled linuxrc. I modified the linuxrc of Paul Hayter for my needs and how I thought in which way Plop Linux should boot.Kernel: compiled by myself
Boot from: ISO, Floppy, chain load USB
Programs: programs collected and compiled by myself with Redhat Linux, some binaries taken from Redhat Linux
Size: about 40MB
2004 - Version 2.x releases
Only updates for the public version
Non public: With the help of the Linux from Scratch project I created my own minimal Linux that has GCC. From that point I was free from Linux Distributions and able to do my own stuff. Before, I used a small Redhat installation as base for years and compiled all I needed by myself. Now, with the small base Linux it was no problem to do all by myself and live without distributions.
Non public version to boot from the XBOX
2005 - Version 3.0
Programs from myself compiled Linux.
Boot process converted from the static binary to my scripts to boot the Live Plop Linux.
Changed to squashfs 3.0
Separate archive for booting from USB.
Non public version to boot from the XBOX
2005 - Version 3.2.1
Last public version with booting from floppy
2006 - Version 3.3
Size: 69MB
2009 - Version 3.7.18
opt.sqfs with Fluxbox and Gnome
2009 - Version 4.x releases
changed to squashfs 4.0
See the Change Log for more info's.
FAQ's - Frequently asked questions
I want to run my scripts at start of Plop Linux without login
I modified rc.local and now I got the error message ": command not found"
I do not see files with 'umlauten' on a device mounted with ntfs-3g
-
On what distribution is Plop Linux based on?
Plop Linux is built from scratch, there is no other distribution. See Plop Linux Developer Version.
-
I want to run my scripts at start of Plop Linux without login
The file ploplinux/bin/rc.local starts before login. Add your scripts in this file.
-
I modified rc.local and now I got the error message ": command not found"
Mostly rc.local was edited with an editor in Microsoft Windows. Use another editor (ex. vim), or convert rc.local in linux with the command dos2unix.
-
I want to use DHCP
Run dhclient to receive the IP from a DHCP server. You can add it to ploplinux/bin/rc.local.
-
How can I restart Samba
Use the following command: killall -9 smbd nmbd; smbd; nmbd
-
I want to use my own smb.conf and other config files
Create your config files and store it in ploplinux/bin. Let update your files with ploplinux/bin/rc.local at every Plop Linux start.
Example rc.local for Samba#!/bin/sh # modify this script as you wish, it will be executed after # the plop linux init. path is already set here (/media/ploplinux/bin) killall -9 smbd nmbd cp /media/ploplinux/bin/smb.conf /etc/samba/smb.conf smbd nmbd
-
What's the samba password
The samba root password is "ploplinux".
-
How-to change the samba password
Use smbpasswd to change the password.
-
I don't want to set my samba password every time again
Change your password in Plop Linux with smbpasswd. Copy /etc/samba/private/smbpasswd away form Plop Linux. Create a new ISO image with the saved smbpasswd file in ploplinux/bin/ and modify rc.local.
rc.local
#!/bin/sh # modify this script as you wish, it will be executed after # the plop linux init. path is already set here (/media/ploplinux/bin) cp /media/ploplinux/opt/smbpasswd /etc/samba/private/smbpasswd
-
What's the ssh password
The ssh password is the same as the login password. There is no login password for root, so you have to set a password before the first ssh login.
As root: passwd
-
I don't want to set my password every time again
Change your password in Plop Linux with passwd. Copy /etc/shadow away form Plop Linux. Create a new ISO image with the saved shadow file in ploplinux/opt/ and modify rc.local.
rc.local
#!/bin/sh # modify this script as you wish, it will be executed after # the plop linux init. path is already set here (/media/ploplinux/bin) cp /media/ploplinux/opt/shadow /etc/shadow
-
I can't write to my NTFS Partition
In the most cases you forgot the mount parameter -t ntfs-3g.
Correct mount for a NTFS Partitions: mount -t ntfs-3g <device> <mountpoint>
-
ntfs-3g mount: Windows is hibernated. refused to mount
Writing to this partition is not allowed. Mount the partition with -t ntfs-3g -o ro. The partition will be mounted as read-only.
-
Change keyboard layout/map
Ex. german keyboard map
loadkeys de-latin1
You can add this to ploplinux/bin/rc.local
-
I do not see files with 'umlauten' on a device mounted with ntfs-3g
You have to add locale settings
mount -t ntfs-3g -o locale=de_DE.UTF-8 <device> <mountpoint>
-
I don't want auto login on terminal one
Remove the file ploplinux/bin/autologin
-
I want to use startx at startup
Uncomment in rc.local autostartx.
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How to disable monitor turn off
For the console use setterm -blank 0 add it to the rc.local.
For the X-Server (with gnome and fluxbox) use xset -dpms s off add it to the top of /root/.xinitrc
-
How to disable kernel messages
To disable the bootup kernel messages add to the append line in the isolinux.cfg (and similar) the parameter quiet
To disable the kernel messages on the console use setterm -msg off add it to the rc.local
© by Elmar Hanlhofer