How to create a mini boot ISO

This document (7009943) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop

Legacy BIOS (non-UEFI)

Situation

How to create a mini boot ISO (for example, to start network-based installs).

Resolution

SLES11:

The following assumes 64-bit SLES 11 SP1 with the original CD1 mounted at /mnt, and an installation source at http://installserver.suse.com/SLES11SP1_64. Paths can be changed for other versions.

On an existing server:

Copy files from install media.
From a terminal session, run the following (from the # prompt):

# mkdir /iso/minicd
# cd /iso/minicd
# cp -a /mnt/boot/x86_64/loader/* .
Edit isolinux.cfg to add the network installation source

# install
label linux
kernel linux
append initrd=initrd splash=silent showopts install=http://installserver.suse.com/SLES11SP1_64
Create image
From a terminal session, run the following (from the # prompt):

# cd /iso
# mkisofs -o minicd.iso -b isolinux.bin -c boot.cat -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table ./minicd

The new ISO will be created in /iso/minicd.iso

SLES12:

The following assumes SLES 12 iso is mounted at /mnt , and an installation source at http://10.1.6.128/repo/slesga-x86_64 and an autoyast file of http://10.1.6.128/repo/files12ga/autoinst.xml . Paths can be changed for other environments.

Copy files from install media.
From a terminal session, run the following:

mkdir -p /tmp/minicd
cp -rp /mnt/boot /tmp/minicd/boot

rm /tmp/minicd/boot/x86_64/*
#ignore the errors, leaving the directories and their contents

chmod -R +w /tmp/minicd
cd /tmp/minicd
Edit isolinux.cfg to add the network installation source and autoyast file (if appropriate).

vi boot/x86_64/loader/isolinux.cfg

Modify this section accordingly:

#install
label Linux
kernel Linux
append initrd=initrd showopts netdevice=eth0 useDHCP=1 install=http://10.1.6.128/repo/sles12ga-x86_64 autoyast=http://10.1.6.128/repo/files12ga/autoinst.xml
Now build the ISO:

mkisofs -o /tmp/minicd.iso -b boot/x86_64/loader/isolinux.bin -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table /tmp/minicd

note: The catalog is missing (deprecated) so no -c parameter is needed.

Additional Information

Switches used by mkisofs (from man pages):

-o FILE, -output FILE       Set output file name
-b FILE, -eltorito-boot FILE
                              Set El Torito boot image name
-c FILE, -eltorito-catalog FILE
                              Set El Torito boot catalog name
-no-emul-boot               Boot image is 'no emulation' image
-boot-load-size #           Set numbers of load sectors
-boot-info-table            Patch boot image with info table

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.