Click to Install Linux

Edward Marsh

CSE 403

Operational Concepts

• Provide a way to seamlessly install Linux as a dual boot with Windows on client computers already running Windows.

• This seems scary! It is actually quite easy!• Process:

– Boot a Live-Linux kernel– Use 3rd-party Linux repartition/installation software– Put a Linux boot loader on the Windows partition and

use NTLDR to boot both OSs.

Operational Concepts

• Differentiators– Are there any other programs that really do this?

• Scope– We want to be reliable for a specific computer setup

(Windows XP Home edition SP2 for example) before we increase the scope of the customer base

– However, the scope is increased relatively easily by just making Pre/Post installers for different systems that have different methods for altering the boot sequence.

System Requirements

• The system has a server– Provides a http interface to which a user goes

to in order to start the process.– Maintains a database of currently occurring

installations and stores important files (references to) for the install. Accessed via a web service and Windows applications.

System Requirements

• The system has a series of clients which interact on the person’s computer.– PreInstaller- Downloaded via website and ran by user.

• Modifies boot.ini with path of a downloaded static boot loader.

• Adds PostInstaller to Windows Startup directory.• Reboots computer

– PostInstaller- Retrieved from website by PreInstaller.• Replaces static boot loader with the user specific boot loader

to run newly installed Linux.

Features

• What features are possible?– The ability to guarantee pause/resume install

in case of loss of power/internet <- This would be nice!

– A choice of Linux Kernel– A choice in size of Linux/swap partition– Show the user step by step what is happening

with text or pictures so that they can learn how it works

System and Software Architecture

• So how can we do these things?!• How do we get Windows to boot an un-installed

Linux kernel?– Answer: We boot from the network using GRUB (or

variant). We can load GRUB using the Windows boot loader and a file on NTFS/c:/

• How do we repartition the NTFS hard drive?– Linux programs already exist and are accessible to do

this.

Detailed Components Diagram

Web Service

Database

Website

Windows

Live LinuxWindows

PreInstaller

PostInstallerPartial

ReformatInstall

Lifecycle Process

• Who wants it?– People who want the advantages of Windows and

Linux on the same computer for free.– People who want a non-scary way to play with Linux-

Why not? It is cool!– How many people here have configured a dual boot

system?• How long did it take? Stressful?

– How many tutorials are there floating around the web for this?

• Why are they there?

Lifecycle Process

• There are talks between Hollywood and major commercial OS vendors about embedding content protection into OSs.

• If this occurs the demand for non-content protection OSs will be huge. Given that people will still want the compatibility benefits of Windows etc., the (free) dual boot system could become the most popular setup if it was easy to setup.

• Therefore, this project may have significant commercial value.

Development Timeline

Weeks• 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Approximation!

LCO

BootingLinux

RunningInstall after

booting

Web service& database Adding features

(as listed on feature page)

Inte

grat

ion

Pre

Inst

alle

r

Pos

tIns

talle

r

Web

site

Bet

a

Feasible Rational

• I have already spent a lot of time researching the best (safest/quickest/most reliable) method for performing this task.– Most risks I have already solved, these are

those risks:• Booting from the network• Reformatting the HD

Questions?

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