Gentoo Forums
Gentoo Forums
Gentoo Forums
Quick Search: in
How To - Remote Install Gentoo on a dedicated server.
View unanswered posts
View posts from last 24 hours

 
Reply to topic    Gentoo Forums Forum Index Documentation, Tips & Tricks
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
bilateral
n00b
n00b


Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 6

PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:40 am    Post subject: How To - Remote Install Gentoo on a dedicated server. Reply with quote

Have a dedicated server from a provider that doesn't offer the *nix distro
that you would like?

This is how I replaced a default Debian installation with Gentoo over SSH
without an extra hard drive, install CD, or KVM.

I had only ordered one hard drive, so using the swap partition as a
temporary install point was my only option.

The server that I ordered had ~100GB hard drive and was roughly
partitioned as follows:
/dev/sda1 /
/dev/sda2 extended
/dev/sda5 swap


These are the steps that I took to replace Debian with Gentoo:
1. Disabled swap
2. Deleted and repartitioned the swap space. Rebooted.
3. Proceeded to install Gentoo on the newly created partitions.
4. Installed a bootloader on one of the partitions that I had created.
5. Turned off the boot flag for the Debian install, and turned it on
where I had just installed my new boot loader.
6. Verified all settings, and set sshd to start at boot. Note that this
is kind of important if you want to get back into your box.
7. Rebooted into the new Gentoo installation.

Once back up and running, I then repartitioned the space used by the
original Debian installation, and moved my Gentoo installation over.

Conclusion: Yes, it can be done. All in all, a pretty simple work around.
But, you had better watch those fat-fingers, otherwise you'll be paying
for a reload, extra hardware, and/or KVM, anyway.


Last edited by bilateral on Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:07 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bones McCracker
Veteran
Veteran


Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 1611
Location: U.S.A.

PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Congratulations.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
zietbukuel
l33t
l33t


Joined: 30 Dec 2005
Posts: 607

PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 4:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice article, Thanks!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
jhunholz
Apprentice
Apprentice


Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 154
Location: Raleigh, NC

PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I did the same thing 2 years ago, and have done it again twice on different servers. Since so few providers offer Gentoo as an OS, that's really the best option to get a working Gentoo system.

Your summary is good, but for a more detailed guide, this is what I used: https://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic.php?t=8884
_________________
Member of the Gentoo Right Wing Conspiracy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Gentoo Forums Forum Index Documentation, Tips & Tricks All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum