DRBL - pxe client is stuck after load initrd.img

A partition and disk imaging/cloning program

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#174 DRBL - pxe client is stuck after load initrd.img

Milestone: clonezilla live stable

Status: open

Owner: Steven Shiau

Labels: None

Priority: 5

Updated: 2023-11-05

Created: 2023-10-26

Creator: Lion

Private: No

Hello Steven.
I try use DRBL live (last stable drbl-live-xfce-2.5.1-16-amd64.iso).
I run it in VBox virtual machine.
I had the same problem as here: https://sourceforge.net/p/clonezilla/support-requests/155/
PXE client is stuck after load initrd.img.
According to your advice, I replacing the folder /tftpboot/nib_img/ (from clonezilla-live-3.1.0-22-amd64.iso) in VM after run Server script and before run pxe client, and this allowed me to advance.
But I have new problem: after loading initrd.img, I get message include:

"If this fails, maybe the ethernet card is not supported by the kernel 6.1.0.8-amd64.
....
If-config: no response after 15 secs - giving up.
Boot failed:
This Live System images failed to boot."

Maybe not all files need to replace in folder /tftpboot/nib_img/ ?
Clonezilla Lite server (from clonezilla-live-3.1.0-22-amd64.iso) works properly, but I would like to also save images over the network, so I want to use DRBL.
Any help pleace and how I can save changes to ISO permanently?

Discussion

Lion - 2023-10-30

I discovered this link https://clonezilla.org/clonezilla-SE/use_clonezilla_live_in_drbl.php
And try use command "drbl-ocs-live-prep -i clonezilla-live-xxx.iso".
Before run script Clonezilla server, and after, but before run PXE client.
I get additional option "Clonezilla" in client menu, but both options not run properly.

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Steven Shiau - 2023-11-01

" I get additional option "Clonezilla" in client menu, but both options not run properly. " -> What were the messages shown on the client's screen? Please take some photos and share that.

Steven

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Lion - 2023-11-01

Thank you for your response.
When I select the newly appeared menu option "Clonezilla", the computer simply restarts without messages.

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Steven Shiau - 2023-11-02

Just restart... No idea actually.
Are you able to put that version of Clonezilla live in a USB stick and boot it in your client machine?

Steven

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Lion - 2023-11-02

I don't really have clear instructions on how to update the client part on a DRBL Live CD.
I can only hope I'm doing the right thing. Here are my steps:
-- I run virtual machine from DRBL-live image.
-- I run Clonezilla server and complete all steps to the end, including "save disk" and image name.
-- for update client kernel, I run command "sudo /tftpboot/node_root/drbl-ocs-live-prep -i /xxxxx/clonezilla-live-xxxxx.iso".
-- I run PXE client
It's right?

The same client version is easily running on the client with USB disk.
And here I understand the difference that PXE client after load Clonezilla-live-initrd run from RAM, not from disk.
I assume that to work from memory, still need to use a disk for temp.
On client, disk is LVM type and this prevents it from being used by the Clonezilla.
I think it leads to a freeze or restart.
I don't know what to do about it?

I prepared a server with replacement client version (as I wrote in paragraph 1) and used another client computer without LVM.
After load initrd, the client lastly has booted! But instead of Cloneailla started MemTest86 :-)
Why is this happening and where to look?
Thank you.

Last edit: Lion 2023-11-02
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Steven Shiau - 2023-11-03

Due to some technical issues, we do not update DRBL live for a long time.
It's recommended to use Clonezilla lite server if it meets your requirements.
For more info, please refer to this doc:
https://clonezilla.org//fine-print-live-doc.php?path=clonezilla-live/doc/11_lite_server
and
https://clonezilla.org//fine-print-live-doc.php?path=clonezilla-live/doc/12_lite_server_BT_from_dev

Steven

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Lion - 2023-11-03

In the first message, I wrote that I would also like to save images over the network.
I need it for headless machines (without monitor).
Clonezilla lite-server can't do that. Isn't it?
It's a pity there are no more updates DRBL live.
It's a dead end, but thank you for your time.

Last edit: Lion 2023-11-03

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Steven Shiau - 2023-11-04

Actually Clonezilla lite server you still can use that to save an image. Just you need to do something more in the PXE configuration.
In your case, I would suggest:
1. Choose "interactive-client" here:
https://clonezilla.org//clonezilla-live/doc/11_lite_server/images/ocs-08-5-massive-deployment.png
2. Enable ssh service by adding:
ocs_daemonon="ssh"
in the boot parameters of /tftpboot/nbi_img/pxelinux.cfg/default and /tftpboot/nbi_img/grub/grub.cfg.
3. Boot your clients via PXE/uEFI netboot.
With that, you will be able to ssh login into that client (the default password of user "user" is "live").
Then you can run:
sudo clonezilla
to start the interactive mode.
For more info, please refer to:
https://clonezilla.org//fine-print-live-doc.php?path=clonezilla-live/doc/11_lite_server
https://clonezilla.org//fine-print-live-doc.php?path=./clonezilla-live/doc/99_Misc/00_live-boot-parameters.doc#00_live-boot-parameters.doc
https://clonezilla.org//fine-print-live-doc.php?path=clonezilla-live/doc/05_Started_with_sshd_on_and_passwd_assigned
...

Steven

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1

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Lion - 2023-11-05

This is an interesting and creative method.
Also need to start the ssh on the server: sudo service ssh start.
I was able to save the image to the server.
It works. You did it! Thank you!

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1

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Steven Shiau - 2023-11-05

It's nice to know you have done that. Enjoy Clonezilla!

Steven

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