Use an OS X Mac to install OSs on Intel machines

Dec 16, '05 05:25:00AM

Contributed by: pete_v

I often need to install OSs on Intel boxes, which frequently come without CDs or floppy these days. After some playing, here is how I use my PowerBook running OS X to do the job via pxeboot. The following example shows OpenBSD as the OS to install on the Intel box.

Read on for the step-by-step...

Here's what you need to do:

  1. Physically connect the two machines, via an Ethernet cable.

  2. Add a configuration for the Intel box. In the Apple menu, choose Location -> New:
  3. Add a configuration for the intel box client. In Applications/Utilities, open NetInfo Manager. Go to / -> Machines, and thenc click New to add one:
  4. Add the boot files for Intel client.. Copy pxeboot and bsd.rd from ftp.openbsd.org into /private/tftpboot (with global read permission).

  5. Start relevant services.
    $ sudo /sbin/service bootps start
    $ sudo /sbin/service tftp start
  6. Boot up the client Intel machine, and monitor via:
    $ tail -f /var/log/system.log
    Sample output (line breaks added to narrow display):
    Nov 29 14:40:53 utopia bootpd[26471]:
      interface en0: ip 10.20.30.1 mask 255.255.255.0
    Nov 29 14:40:53 utopia bootpd[26471]:
      ni_pathsearch '/config/dhcp' failed: No such directory
    Nov 29 14:40:53 utopia bootpd[26471]: 
      server name utopia
    Nov 29 14:40:53 utopia bootpd[26471]: 
      subnets init using domain . failed: No such directory
    Nov 29 14:40:57 utopia bootpd[26471]:
    dd  BOOTP request [en0]: xyz requested file ''
    Nov 29 14:40:57 utopia bootpd[26471]:
      reply sent xyz 10.20.30.2 pktsize 300
  7. At boot> prompt on Intel client, type boot bsd.rd
The PowerBook has now served up enough files to boot the Intel client, and could also provide files for complete OS install via FTP (ftpd) if required.

[robg adds: I haven't tested this one...]

Comments (10)


Mac OS X Hints
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20051211132553405