Install from ISO without Media

[Nyefrothane]

Hi everybody,

I am new user of FreeBSD, I might stick a while with it, since I am a bit bored of linux. I have a fresh install on one my old machine, Now I would like to try it on my laptop but I need to install from ISO.

I read part of the handbook but I did not find anything about installing without media. Assume my machine has no CD/DVD readers and that I have no USB key. Is there any kind of hack allowing to install FreeBSD?

Please let me know every kind of such hack, I don't mind if it will take hours. I read somewhere that Grub won't be able to boot a FreeBSD ISO, is there any other boot loader that can do it?

Thanks.

 

[SirDice]

You can try to PXE boot the installer. There used to be an article about setting up a FreeBSD jumpserver but it's removed because it was too outdated.

Handbook: 32.8 PXE Booting with an NFS Root File System

 

[Beastie]

Or using a USB disk enclosure and a second machine that can boot a CD/DVD/USB pendrive.

 

[Nyefrothane]

Sorry for the missing "F".
Thanks for the answers and the link .
I will try the PXE method.
I am still interested if someone knows a solution with a
bootloader loading the iso.
Thanks !

 

[wblock@]

SYSLINUX can load a CD image into memory and boot from it. Grub maybe too, I don't know. This is effectively like the PXE install, but without setting up TFTP and NFS servers. Use the bootonly ISO image, it's the smallest.

Another way is to put the laptop drive in another machine, do a basic install, then switch it back.

A USB memory stick is much easier.

 

[Nyefrothane]

Well according to google ( I will try to find the link again ), grub won't boot a FreeBSD iso ... Obviously I tried and it did not worked. But if someone can do it I will be very happy to know how it can be done!