Include a ftp client in initrd

[Kushal Koolwal-2]

Hi,

I am using Debian Lenny with the default 2.6.26-2-686 kernel and the default initrd image.

My aim is to just boot the kernel and initrd image. I don't want to mount the "real" filesystem from the hard drive or any other storage device.

I know how to mount an initrd and make changes in it and then zip and compress back again. However I need your help with the following question:

I want to include a ftp client program in the initrd image and write a shell script in the initrd image that will execute the ftp program.

What is the best way to do this?

[deloptes]

Kushal Koolwal wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I am using Debian Lenny with the default 2.6.26-2-686 kernel and the
> default initrd image.
>
> My aim is to just boot the kernel and initrd image. I don't want to mount
> the "real" filesystem from the hard drive or any other storage device.
>
> I know how to mount an initrd and make changes in it and then zip and
> compress back again. However I need your help with the following question:
>
> I want to include a ftp client program in the initrd image and write a
> shell script in the initrd image that will execute the ftp program.
>
> What is the best way to do this?

do you need a client or server?

there are good howtos about diskless systems and also about busybox or
rtlinux.

if you would like you could unzip your initrd and do whatever you want there
and zip it again.

i.e
mkdir test ; cd test
gunzip -c /boot/initrd-2.6.31.6eko2 | cpio -Hnewc -i
38550 blocks
maistor:/tmp/test# ls
bin  conf  etc  init  lib  sbin  scripts  usr

do whatever you want

find . ! -name *~ | cpio -H newc --create | gzip -9 > /tmp/test-initrd.gz

regards

regards



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[Kushal Koolwal]

Some parts of this message have been removed. Learn more about Nabble's security policy.

I just need a client program.

Also I figured that just copying an ftp program would not be sufficient. I will need to copy the shared libraries also. I was wondering what is the best way to find out the shared libraries. Just doing:

# ldd ftp

should be sufficient?

Alternatively, I can compile the ftp program statically but I am not sure what is the best way to do that in Debian.

Thanks

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[Tzafrir Cohen]

On Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 11:02:52AM -0800, Kushal Koolwal wrote:

>
> I just need a client program.
>
> Also I figured that just copying an ftp program would not be sufficient. I will need to copy the shared libraries also. I was wondering what is the best way to find out the shared libraries. Just doing:
>
> # ldd ftp
>
> should be sufficient?
>
> Alternatively, I can compile the ftp program statically but I am not sure what is the best way to do that in Debian.

Why not use a more complete busybox?

Anyway, why would you need an FTP client in the initrd?

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[Kushal Koolwal-2]

> Why not use a more complete busybox?
I don't think busybox has ftp client in it. It has ftpget.

[Tzafrir Cohen]

On Tue, Nov 17, 2009 at 12:31:09AM -0800, Tech Geek wrote:
> > Why not use a more complete busybox?
> I don't think busybox has ftp client in it. It has ftpget.

And ftpput. What else do you actually need.

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[deloptes]

Kushal Koolwal wrote:

>
> I just need a client program.
>
> Also I figured that just copying an ftp program would not be sufficient. I
> will need to copy the shared libraries also. I was wondering what is the
> best way to find out the shared libraries. Just doing:
>
> # ldd ftp
>
> should be sufficient?

yes, exactly, not sure if it is recursive though

>
> Alternatively, I can compile the ftp program statically but I am not sure
> what is the best way to do that in Debian.

The best way is what you decide is the best.

regards


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