Re: etherboot & NFS problem - part of the problem solved

[Christoph Plattner <christoph.plattner@dot.at>]

This problem never should occur. The libraries `/sbin/init' needs, are
libc.so.6 and ld-linux.so.2. Both libraries are in /lib and have to
be on the root file system, which is mounted ! To be sure, copy the
/etc/ld.so.cache file to your client path (/tftpboot/rajeshpc/root/etc,
or whatever). Or you can use the ldconfig tool, which is able (in
newer versions, check man page) to configure on an alternate root.
If, for example, /tftpboot/rajeshpc/root is the path of the root file
system, then run 
	ldconfig -r /tftpboot/rajeshpc/root
so it sets up the paths
	/tftpboot/rajeshpc/root/lib
and
	/tftpboot/rajeshpc/root/etc/ld.so.cache

I hope this helps.

Another important point !

Check if the network configuration for the client is correct. On my
first netboot attempts (one year ago), I had a small copied root
file system from the server for the client. The problem was, that 
the setup for the ethernet was wrong (setup from server not from 
client !!). So the client was configured well over BOOTP, but 
when the system comes up via init, it also (re)initialized the
ethernet wit the "wrong" setting and suddenly the client looses
the contact to the server. The first reaction was the missed 
libraries, then blocking for file access and finally the error
NFS error 111, which means `no access to server'.

So here are some items to check again !


Rajesh Fowkar wrote:
> 
> Hi Chris,
> 
> Initially I had copied the kernel in /tftpboot and the Diskless client was booting the kernel and than giving -13 error.
> 
> Now I thought of copying the kernel to the actual workstation directory /tftpboot/rajeshpc and changed the dhcpd.conf file to point to /tftpboot/rajeshpc/kernel.
> 
> Now the root filesystem is getting mounted but the init part gives error since the init is I think dynamically linked. The diskless node gives a list of errors like
> 
> killing process getty
> killing process init etc.
> error in mounting shared libraries etc.
> 
> I am not getting the login prompt. All these error are reapeating on the screen.
> 
> How can I solve this problem to get the login prompt on the Diskless client.
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> Warm Regards
> 
> Rajesh
> 
> >
> >First of all test the mount point on your local linux server:
> >
> >       bash# mount -t nfs your_server:/tftpboot/xxxxxx /mnt/tmp
> >
> >(Of course, you must have a /mnt/tmp directory !)
> >
> >Further try following to nfs root for the diskless client:
> >2 ways:
> >
> >ONE:   Use bootloader GNU Grub. Compile it with network support
> >       (uses etherboot network drivers !!)
> >       Install boot loader to disk and boot from disk (on client)
> >       Now you are at the GRUB prompt:
> >
> >       grub> bootp
> >
> >       (Now you see the server and client address)
> >
> >       grub> root (nd)
> >
> >       (Use the network connction as root for the boot loader (not linux !)
> >
> >       grub> kernel /tftpboot/xxxxxx/vmlinuz root=/dev/nfs
> >                       nfsroot=ip_of_server:/tftpboot/xxxx/root ip=........
> >
> >       (All in one line, then the command ...)
> >
> >       grub> boot
> >
> >The advantage here is to try the kernel without any image and to use the
> >kernel parameter line for the boot (no bootp or any automatic for the
> >first test (see /usr/src/linux/Documentation/nfsroot.txt,
> >       /usr/doc/HOWTO/mini/NFS-Root, /usr/doc/HOWTO/BootPrompt-HOWTO).
> >
> >The second way is to boot via ldlinux.sys (syslinux.cfg), like on the
> >RedHat boot disk (!). Here in syslinux.cfg the kernel parameter line can
> >also be added.
> >
> >I prefer GRUB for all those experiements. I added support for diskless
> >boot of GRUB itself. So the boot image is nbgrub, and you never had to
> >use mknbi(-linux) any more !!!
> >With the use of the grub config file (menu.lst) you can also
> >automatcally
> >boot the linux, everything diskless !! (I use this at home !)
> >
> >With friendly regards
> >
> >       Christoph plattner
> >
> 
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> Rajesh Fowkar <Mail@dempos.com>
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