Custom Gentoo LiveCD

Fraggle · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 2:35 pm Post subject: Custom Gentoo LiveCD

Ok. This might end up me starting a whole new project, but I first want to make sure there isn't already a current way to do what I am asking.

I really like the LiveCD process, especially since it is gentoo based. I have booted up gnoppix and knoppix, and although they are nice, they are not gentoo (and they don't seem easily customizable). I want to be able to create a custom LiveCD for a client. The requirements are:

1) Has to be able to run on the cdrom only. MUST NOT use any hard disk.
2) I have to be able to easily patch the cd. Current patches will most likely be very important.
3) Has to run a GUI. I would prefer Gnome.
4) Have to be able to easily install new packages. Such as an ircd, or others.
5) Must also be able to autodetect hardware, and load the correct modules ( Yes, LiveCD can already do that ).

I have already emerged 'livecd-ng', but I haven't really mucked with it all that much. Not to mention, I cannot find any documentation for it.

Here is how I imagine it will work.

I will create a 'blank' livecd, and chroot into that 'environment'. From there I should be able to emerge any packages I want into it. Is that correct? Tell me if I am crazy.

Thanks for any input or help. I will be willing to help lead up such a project if it is needed.

Thanks,
Paul

Fraggle · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 3:46 pm Post subject:

Looking more into, it looks like when I build the image it is going to try to compile xfree and gnome all the way through. Is there a way to force it to use binary packages instead?

The Mountain Man · l33t Joined: 03 Sep 2003 Posts: 643

I don't know much about Linux or Gentoo, but you might try looking for binary files in Portage, if they exist. They usually have a "-bin" tag on the end, so the binary of Gnome would be "gnome-bin". If they don't exist, you may have to compile them from scratch, or you may be able to find generic binaries somewhere other than Portage.
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rodrigrj · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2003 5:46 pm Post subject:

there's a way you can get binary packages online... you have to specify a web address in make.conf with PORTAGE_BINHOST and then run emerge with '-g' flag.... if you already have the binaries, move them to
(whatever folder you chroot to)/usr/portage/packages/All and then run emerge with '-k' flag.

also, as a side note, make sure you get a hold of the cloop module so you can compress the image you build in order to get it to fit on a cd