Install LiNomad

Disclaimer

This system is distributed free of charge, but without any guarantee of any kind.

The following instructions are for IT professionals only. Be aware that a mistake can lead to all your data being destroyed. Proceed only if you fully understand what you are doing.

In this context, installation refers to the creation of a bootable DVD or USB media.

Only USB devices allow for user data and configuration persistence.

Download

Download the latest system ISO image.

The provided ISO is generated by Live-System. This is reflected in the USB media partitioning scheme and install commands.

Password for linomad and root users is linomad.

Burn to a DVD

The ISO (9660) image can be burned to a DVD using a GUI or one of the following commands (replace /dev/sr0 with the actual optical drive) :

• using cdrecord (or its fork wodim — Debian):

cdrecord -v dev=/dev/sr0 blank=fast   #minimally blanks the disk (if needed)
cdrecord -v dev=/dev/sr0 *-linomad-*.iso

• using growisofs:

growisofs -dvd-compat -Z /dev/sr0=*-linomad-*.iso

• using xorriso:

xorriso -as cdrecord -v dev=/dev/sr0 -blank as_needed *-linomad-*.iso

The DVD media is capable of booting in both UEFI and legacy mode (also know as CSM or BIOS).

Transfer to an USB media

1. Prepare the USB media (replacing /dev/sdx with the appropriate USB device) — its data will be wiped irreversibly:

sudo su
sgdisk -Z /dev/sdx
sgdisk -o -n 1:0:+100M -t 1:ef00 -n 2:0:0 /dev/sdx
partprobe /dev/sdx
mkfs.vfat /dev/sdx1
mkfs.f2fs -f -l LiveSystem /dev/sdx

These commands will create the following structure:

2. Copy the system files — the same steps apply to upgrades as well:

mount --mkdir -o loop *-linomad-*.iso /mnt/iso

mount --mkdir /dev/sdx1 /mnt/live
cp -r /mnt/iso/efi /mnt/iso/linomad/{initrd.gz,vmlinuz} /mnt/live/
umount /mnt/live

mount /dev/sdx2 /mnt/live
mkdir -p /mnt/live/linomad
cp -r /mnt/iso/linomad/modules /mnt/live/linomad/
umount /mnt/live

umount /mnt/iso
rmdir /mnt/live /mnt/iso

Boot the live-system

1. At computer startup, hit the function key (likely , , , or — depending on manufacturer) to enter setup and disable secure boot or allow /efi/boot/bootx64.efi from the boot media.
2. Hit the function key to enter boot menu and choose boot media.

Password for linomad and root users is linomad.