Boot official live-cds

Live-cds are great for using as rescue systems. Our tftp server will offer the kernel and first initrd image, then root fs wil be mounted by NFS.

Debian livecd

Ubuntu livecd

Create your custom live-cds

Official livecds are good, but aren't optimized for NFS root. When shutting down Debian, for example, systemd turns off the network and computer hangs at this final step. So it isn't totally off unless you unplug it. To fix this issue it's possible to build your own livecd. In this way, it will be optimized for your needs too.

You can also modify /etc/fstab to mount /home folder via NFS and use them as a persistent live-cds.

Debian

I've written two scripts to automatize the process: createdebian and insidedebian. It's possible to just download and execute them. Don't do it blindly, read them carefully before executing. Never trust someone else's scripts.

mkdir -p /home/tftp/livesystems/customdebian
cd /home/tftp/livesystems/customdebian
wget https://github.com/cesetxeberria/pxeserver/blob/master/createdebian.sh
wget https://github.com/cesetxeberria/pxeserver/blob/master/insidedebian.sh
sh createdebian.sh

There's also a howto build a custom Debian livecd step by step guide.

Ubuntu

I've written two scripts to automatize the process: createubuntu and insideubuntu. It's possible to just download and execute them. Don't do it blindly, read them carefully before executing. Never trust someone else's scripts.

mkdir -p /home/tftp/livesystems/customubuntu
cd /home/tftp/livesystems/customubuntu
wget https://github.com/cesetxeberria/pxeserver/blob/master/createubuntu.sh
wget https://github.com/cesetxeberria/pxeserver/blob/master/insideubuntu.sh
sh createubuntu.sh

There's also a howto build a custom Ubuntu livecd step by step guide