[mythtv-users] Installing Mythbuntu (backend) on a HP ProLiant MicroServer - N40L

[Leigh Anthony]

On 22/09/2012, at 9:07 PM, Mike Perkins wrote:

> On 22/09/12 11:36, Leigh Anthony wrote:
>> On 21/09/2012, at 9:12 PM, Mike Perkins wrote:
>> 
>>> On 21/09/12 11:15, Michael Watson wrote:
>>>> On 21/09/2012 7:28 PM, Damian wrote:
>>>>> Hello all,
>>>>> 
>>>>> I have never installed the 'server edition' of anything before, let
>>>>> alone owed a headless machine of any kind.
>>>>> 
>>>>> I have a HP ProLiant MicroServer - N40L on it's way to me and I want to
>>>>> put Ubuntu on there and the MythTV backend. It's also effectively going
>>>>> to be the NAS for my house and the music server (using Logitec Media
>>>>> Server .. Squeezebox Server).
>>>>> 
>>>>> How do you install an OS on a headless system? I know about and use
>>>>> VNC, but don't you need an OS first before you can install and use
>>>>> VNC?
>>>>> 
>>>>> Do I need to install the server edition of Ubuntu, or can I install
>>>>> the standard version? Does the server version of Ubuntu have a GUI or
>>>>> is it all text based? If it's all text based, can I install the
>>>>> Mythbuntu backend? I'm sure others have done this, so there must be a
>>>>> way.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on my next step into geekdom
>>>>> :-)
>>>>> 
>>>> Plug a keyboard / monitor in to install initial OS. With keyboard /
>>>> monitor still attached, log in, setup your static IP Address (all servers
>>>> should have a static IP address).  After you have got your static ip
>>>> address working, check that your internet is still working  and install
>>>> openssh and mythtv-backend using (on ubuntu).
>>>> 
>>>> sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get dist-upgrade sudo apt-get install
>>>> mythtv-backend-master openssh-server sudo reboot
>>>> 
>>>> This will install MythTV backend server, and all its required
>>>> dependents, including mysql server.
>>>> 
>>> Learned the hard way: *Before* you put it in the cupboard, test it to make
>>> sure that (i) it will run without a keyboard (Usually a BIOS option: Halt
>>> on all except keyboard) and (ii) it will run without a monitor attached!
>>> 
>>> I found that Intel video chipsets are particularly difficult in the second
>>> respect. What I have ended up doing is forcing the 'Vesa' driver in
>>> xorg.conf which gets round that problem. When it's in the cupboard, you
>>> won't want to connect directly to it with a screen and keyboard, will you?
>>> If you have to, for diagnostic reasons, the Vesa driver is perfecly
>>> adequate for use in any case.
>> 
>> You could also put in a serial port, though getting a mobile device with a
>> serial port these days is tricky.
>> 
>> Make sure you can attach a screen easily if you need to at a later date.  My
>> server is in the garage and taking a screen out there is a bit of a pain!
>> 
>> Most things (system admin) can be done from the command line, but if you have
>> an X11 (usually Linux or Mac but Windows can have software added to do it)
>> host with a screen you can run ssh.
>> 
>> "ssh user at host" will give you a commandline, but "ssh -X user at headlessHost"
>> will allow you to run graphical applications on the remote headless host but
>> with a local display, which is far better than vnc.
>> 
>> Just as a note, "putty" on windows will not give you graphical application
>> support - you need something like cygwin (free) or Reflection/X (not free).
>> 
>> 
> (Fixed top quoting)
> 
> The *entire* point of my note is that *none* of what you have suggested will work if the box won't boot, and it won't boot under certain conditions as I have described above.
> 
> My server boxes are all accessed via "ssh -Y user at headlesshost". First of all the box has to have booted up properly in the first place - without keyboard and screen.
> 
> -- 
> 
> Mike Perkins

--
You can do KVM over cat5 (see ebay) or try the HP remote management card.

From http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13716_na/13716_na.HTML

>Additional Options
>
>HP Remote Management	HP MicroServer Remote Access Card Kit	615095-B21

I assume the remote management card does what you want but its a bit short on documentation.

Leigh

--



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