[Leaplist] DVD/CD Emulator

[Bryan J. Smith]

Tom Parker wrote:  

> The problem with grub is that I cannot specify an ISO file as a boot image.

The problem you have is not with GRUB, but the underlying limitations
of the PC BIOS and El Torrito.  To implement the software to load an
ISO9660 Yellow Book (data) track (aka "iso file") is not simple.

Although the SYSLinux project can do it, with caveats.  
http://syslinux.zytor.com/wiki/index.php/Boot_an_Iso_image  

I'd investigate using SYSLinux plus one of the COM32 modules to load
an ISO and boot from it.  Not ISOLinux itself, but SYSLinux (or PXELinux
if booting over a network).

Many of my largest clients with thousands of Solaris and Windows x86
servers utilize such an infrastructure for deployment, although typically
via PXELinux.  But there's no reason why you can't use SYSLinux on a
FAT32 formatted USB stick.

"MEMDISK" is the legacy COM32 module that can emulate a floppy,
and was used early on for CD boot (with El Torito in floppy emulation
mode).  You can still use this to load a Boot/Root Linux disk, which then
can load CD support.

The continuing problem here is that most ISO9660 Yellow Book tracks
that boot have a boot system that assumes they have direct access to
the El Torito extensions of PC BIOS Int13h disk services.  Emulating that
is difficulty, especially for the "hand off."

So there is no "generic" way that I know of.  You're basically taking a
boot that emulates a disk for ISO and then emulating an ISO back to
disk, full circle, and then trying to ensure the "hand off" from 16-bit
PC BIOS Int13h services to the 32/64-bit OS and support is flawless.

Not going to happen.


-- 
Bryan J  Smith           Professional, Technical Annoyance 
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