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Obsolete Releases => SME 7.x Contribs => Topic started by: edform on October 08, 2008, 06:37:29 PM

Title: True Headless Install
Post by: edform on October 08, 2008, 06:37:29 PM

Has anyone successfully wriggled SME onto a truly headless server?

There is a new line of small servers available in the UK with extremely low power consumption, but they have no capability to connect any video or input peripherals whatsoever - the problem is that the initial configuration after the install phase can only be done at the server console and the machine has no network setup until the console based initial install is run, after which all management is browser based.

I wondered if I could get round this by dumping all of the correct configuration information into the system from a customised installation CD. Has anyone any ideas?

Ed Form

Title: Re: True Headless Install
Post by: arne on October 08, 2008, 09:56:15 PM

The method I have used before when installing on "impossible hardware" has been to remove the harddisk, the Compact flash, or what it might be, and than installed an image or how the software might be, while the memry unit is installed in another PC. Then after the software/operating system has been installed, the unit is transfered over to its original hardware, and booting have used to work ok. I have not tested this procedure for a headless system. Just an idea.

Title: Re: True Headless Install
Post by: edform on October 08, 2008, 10:18:19 PM

Quote from: arne on October 08, 2008, 09:56:15 PM

The method I have used before when installing on "impossible hardware" has been to remove the harddisk, the Compact flash, or what it might be, and than installed an image or how the software might be, while the memry unit is installed in another PC. Then after the software/operating system has been installed, the unit is transfered over to its original hardware, and booting have used to work ok. I have not tested this procedure for a headless system. Just an idea.

Thank's Arne,

I've done that as well, but this system has a highly integrated motherboard so I expect it will be a pig to get the installed software to talk to the unusual hardware if I have installed on another motherboard.

Ed Form

Title: Re: True Headless Install
Post by: dave simmons on October 09, 2008, 04:42:54 PM

I would be also interested in this.  Have a few RAQ4's lying here unused, and it would be great to be able to get SME installed.

I use Strongbolt on a couple, but I still prefer SME. 

Title: Re: True Headless Install
Post by: edform on October 09, 2008, 06:07:00 PM

Quote from: dave simmons on October 09, 2008, 04:42:54 PM

I would be also interested in this.  Have a few RAQ4's lying here unused, and it would be great to be able to get SME installed.

I've been thinking about this and the answer seems pretty obvious - Can I bypass the post-install configuration and add a set of default configuration options instead, so that the machine can be contacted remotely? I can then run the configuration admin console in a putty session and change things to what I want.

Any suggestions for how that might be done?

Ed Form

Title: Re: True Headless Install
Post by: william_syd on October 12, 2008, 05:15:42 AM

Quote from: edform on October 08, 2008, 06:37:29 PM

There is a new line of small servers available in the UK with extremely low power consumption,

Do you have a url for these devices?

Title: Re: True Headless Install
Post by: edform on October 13, 2008, 10:26:46 AM

I have absolutely no commercial connection to the company, but this is the object in question...

http://www.tranquilpc-shop.co.uk/acatalog/T7-HSG.html#a132

Ed Form