How to create a mini boot ISO

This document (7009943) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop
Legacy BIOS (non-UEFI)

Situation

How to create a mini boot ISO (for example, to start network-based installs).

Resolution

SLES11:
The following assumes 64-bit SLES 11 SP1 with the original CD1 mounted at /mnt, and an installation source at http://installserver.suse.com/SLES11SP1_64.  Paths can be changed for other versions.

On an existing server:
  1. Copy files from install media.
    From a terminal session, run the following (from the # prompt):

    # mkdir /iso/minicd
    # cd /iso/minicd
    # cp -a /mnt/boot/x86_64/loader/* .

  2. Edit isolinux.cfg to add the network installation source

    # install
    label linux
      kernel linux
      append initrd=initrd splash=silent showopts install=http://installserver.suse.com/SLES11SP1_64

  3. Create image
    From a terminal session, run the following (from the # prompt):

    # cd /iso
    # mkisofs -o minicd.iso -b isolinux.bin -c boot.cat -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table ./minicd

    The new ISO will be created in /iso/minicd.iso
SLES12:
The following assumes SLES 12 iso is mounted at /mnt , and an installation source at http://10.1.6.128/repo/slesga-x86_64 and an autoyast file of http://10.1.6.128/repo/files12ga/autoinst.xml .  Paths can be changed for other environments.
  1. Copy files from install media.
    From a terminal session, run the following:

    mkdir -p /tmp/minicd
    cp -rp /mnt/boot /tmp/minicd/boot

    rm /tmp/minicd/boot/x86_64/*
         #ignore the errors, leaving the directories and their contents

    chmod -R +w /tmp/minicd
    cd /tmp/minicd

  2. Edit isolinux.cfg to add the network installation source and autoyast file (if appropriate).

    vi boot/x86_64/loader/isolinux.cfg


    Modify this section accordingly:

    #install
    label Linux
      kernel Linux
      append initrd=initrd showopts netdevice=eth0 useDHCP=1 install=http://10.1.6.128/repo/sles12ga-x86_64 autoyast=http://10.1.6.128/repo/files12ga/autoinst.xml

  3. Now build the ISO:

    mkisofs -o /tmp/minicd.iso -b boot/x86_64/loader/isolinux.bin -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table /tmp/minicd


    note: The catalog is missing (deprecated) so no -c parameter is needed.

Additional Information

Switches used by mkisofs (from man pages):

  -o FILE, -output FILE       Set output file name
  -b FILE, -eltorito-boot FILE
                              Set El Torito boot image name
  -c FILE, -eltorito-catalog FILE
                              Set El Torito boot catalog name
  -no-emul-boot               Boot image is 'no emulation' image
  -boot-load-size #           Set numbers of load sectors
  -boot-info-table            Patch boot image with info table

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

  • Document ID:7009943
  • Creation Date: 03-Jan-2012
  • Modified Date:03-Mar-2020
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

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