Wednesday 30 January 2008

pupterm - linux terminal booting off USB inside 50 seconds

I've set up puppy linux as a terminal client - pupterm.

This OS will run on a PC that can boot from usb stick (min 64MB USB stick). 256MB RAM is needed.
No hard disk is needed on the PC.
The pupterm PC will boot within 1 minute and automatically log in to a terminal (if desired)
Uses:
1. virtualising the desktop
2. remote access of another windows xp pro machine
3. remoting digital signage

Here's how to make it happen:

First get yourself a 64MB usb stick (yes only 64MB) loaded with puppy barebones.

1. Delete any pup save file from the usb stick (i used windows to do this)
2. boot the usb stick - and use the up down arrow keys to select yout keyboard type
3. select the screen resolution (i choose 0x011B which is 1280 x 1024 for my monitor)
4. set the screen background color to your favourite shade of blue
5. conect the network and go through the network config
6. test the connection by running your terminal command, e.g.

rdesktop -f 182.168.0.6 -a 24 -u User -p Password

choose start disconnect to get back to your puppy desktop

7. make the terminal command run automatically on boot

from a console type the following command:
geany /root/.xinitrc

press the ctrl-end key combination to move to the end of the file and in the blank space above the exec $CURRENTWM line, type the following:

rdesktop -f 182.168.0.6 -a 24 -u User -p Password&

note the & at the end of the line
also, you will need to replace 182.168.0.6 with your remote machine address
Choose File Save, then File Quit from the file editor (geany) menu

8. shut down the computer - from the puppy linux menu, choose Shut down, Power off computer

You will be prompted to save your settings - choose and
The settings should be written to the USB stick ( sda 1 if you don't have any other drives attached)


9. enjoy this lightning fast booting terminal linux, pupterm

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