Friday 17 April 2020

Using 'isorespin.sh' to create a server ISO from an Ubuntu desktop ISO


To simplify the creation of a server ISO by respinning an Ubuntu desktop ISO I've added a new option '--server'. This option is compatible with existing options so you can create a server ISO that works on both 32-bit and 64-bit bootloaders found on various low cost Intel Atom mini PCs or one that works on the more recent Apollo and Gemini Lake mini PCs.

Invocation is as simple as adding '--server' to your 'isorespin.sh' command. For example to create a 'vanilla' server ISO from an Ubuntu 18.04.4 desktop ISO enter:
isorespin.sh -i ubuntu/ubuntu-18.04.4-desktop-amd64.iso --server
Here is a (speeded up) video showing this example in action:



The '--server' option is only supported with Ubuntu 18.04 and 20.04 desktop ISOs at the moment. This is because whilst removing the 'ubuntu-desktop' task essentially creates the base for a server ISO, it still leaves a small number of residual packages that need purging. This new option removes the bulk of these and those that are left are really insignificant.

The option now creates 'ubuntu' as the default user without a password, similar to how the standard desktop ISO works. It also downloads the latest version of 'linservin.sh' to '/usr/local/bin' for convenience when installing.

The latest version of 'isorespin.sh' can be downloaded from here.

You can install the server ISO using the 'linservin.sh' which I've also updated. Now rather than having to enter 'c' to 'change to the detected value' you simply hit enter to accept the default or enter your own value if required:


The script also now creates a swap file which is adjusted in size to be appropriate for the device's disk and memory sizes.

An updated 'installation' video can be seen here:


which again is speeded up in parts to make it more watchable.

The latest version of 'linservin.sh' can be downloaded from here.

Please donate if you find the scripts useful using the following link http://goo.gl/nXWSGf as everything helps with development costs.












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