FTP installation

[theggmanus]

I'm trying to install the SUSE distribution of Linux 8.0 via ftp. I installed the kernel but to get the rest I need to get my ethernet card working (so I can use my cable modem to access the ftp site). So I selected my ethernet card from the list of network modules that they have. Then a window popped up with a blank line and it asked me to give parameters. I don't know what they want. irq settings? I don't know.

HELP. PLEASE

[theggmanus]

oh and i'm using a 3com ethernet card

[Infrastructure]

Just leave the line blank and press enter, worked for me when I did my SUSE FTP install and loaded the natsemi module for my netgear card.

[rustskull]

balatant debian plug

the online install for debian works if you just get the bootfloppies. It will bring your nic up in a generic state and as long as everything is set on the gateway it will run out and grab everything. Assume dhcp. Debian asks if you want to find stuff via dhcp or bootp, this might be auto/default on other distros that install via ftp.

Another balatant debian plug

updating your system is simple with debian, too. They have a security patch ftp as well, you can do it all in one shot. I ask it to update my packages anytime I install/remove an item. If I don't have to change something for a month (yeah, right) then I just tell it to do it anyhow. As long as you're not trying to completely upgrade a distro in one shot, it's real quick. It will do it though.

I'm currently letting it auto-upgrade my linux box at work from 2.2(potato) to 3.0(woody) on my free time. I occasionally have to turn around and tell it yes or no or some such regarding location and purge of some conffiles, but it is very explicit about what it's doing and it's just plugging away changing everything as it goes.

I'm sure I'll mention something somewhere about how good it worked...I wonder if it will change me from wmaker to sawmill?

It's getting *real* close to plug n play...I didn't have to configure a single kernel module on any of my woody installs yet. The only one I will have to try is probably ntfs, but that is still a work in progress. Stinkin M$ intentionally non-compatible crap. Sun's already finding out the hard way that people, given the choice, will go with stuff that makes sense. I an gonna love to see what linux can do on the new sparc3 procs. Those SOB are hotrods...

as usual, more info than was needed or even asked for.

-rust