Remote OS installation

[Chilly]

OK, here is the deal:

I need to reinstall the OS on my server, sitting in one of the redbus DCs in docklands.

I have:
KVM over IP access to the machine (which effectively gives me the keyboard+mouse of my server).

I do not have: the ability to put CD/DVD/floppy/any media into the machine

I have the feeling it can be done via some funky net install procedure, but without being able to stick a bootup disk in I'm a bit stumped for ideas.

Any thoughts?

cheers,


Chilly

 

[phlash]

Depends on the O/S, but here's some ideas...

[1] If Linux / FreeBSD: You should be able to perform a new install to a separate partition (or HD) directly from the internet using the supplied tools (eg: YaST, RPM, DPKG, etc.)

[2] If Windows: how about putting the install set (eg; \i386\*) on the server, FTP'ed from your own machine, then installing from the local HD?

Phil.

 

[Chilly]

sorry, should have been more specific - linux is the target OS. It is running on linux at the moment.

 

[strangely brown]

Which flavour of Linux are you running?

If it's Mandriva (nee Mandrake) then you should be able to update it relatively easily through a terminal (e.g. a putty/telnet session) using urpmi.

Regards,
SB

 

[Chilly]

Well I found the ebst solution. Get an engineer to stick a net install CD in the drive for you and take it from there.

 

[Draylor]

Hey thats cheating!

 

[Chilly]

pfft, sticking to the rules is for girls