: Alternate diskless operation : Configuration : Server Setup
Previous: Configuration
Next: Common File Setup

1.2.1. Server Setup

The server (aka. HOST_NAME) need not be a FreeBSD machine. It must provide tftp, bootp & NFS services, as well as diskspace for the files and swapspace used by each DISKLESS node to be installed.

Files must be created for use by tftp (Trivial File Transport Protocol) and bootp (Boot Protocol):.

# mkdir /tftpboot
# chmod 755 /tftpboot
	  

You then must create a file named bootptab and place it into /etc. When the boot protocal daemon starts it reads this file for information needed during the initial boot stages. You can use bootptab.sample as a starting point.

The file /etc/inetd.conf should be edited to contain the following 2 lines. Note that the first line may be present, but commented out:


tftp  dgram   udp     wait    nobody  /usr/libexec/tftpd      tftpd -l /tftpboot
bootps        dgram   udp     wait    root    /usr/libexec/bootpd     bootpd
	  

This diff output shows the differences

The inetd process must now be told to reread /etc/inetd.conf, ie, enable tftpd & bootpd. From the command line type:

# ps -ax | grep inetd
	  

This should print a line showing the PID (Process ID) of the inetd process. Typing the following line will cause inetd to reread /etc/inetd.conf:

# kill -HUP {INETD_PID}
	  


: Alternate diskless operation : Configuration : Server Setup
Previous: Configuration
Next: Common File Setup