I'm wondering how to install this on a usb as stated on the project page.

Also, would there be a possibility of installing this on a partition, separate hard disk or a live usb? I'm asking because since this has almost everything I need it would be best to just run this OS on my host machine and work from there.

Comments

AlanO’s picture

AlanO commented

Okay, after spending days researching I found a really cool solution for being able to create an image(iso) copy of DrupalPro and install it on a hard drive and/or a live usb/cd. You can also use persistence when installing the image on a USB so your information could be saved while you play with it! I haven't tried the persistence part yet, but it works beautifully as just a live USB. It saved everything except for the things I didn't want to save(cache, old backups, etc.) and works great. I'm still able to use the development server and aliases etc.

I followed the directions from this blog post which uses the remastersys for creating "distributions" or copies of your linux machine.

http://debianhelp.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/how-to-install-and-use-remast...

I did this within the virtual environment of Drupal Pro 32bit and came out successful but it was a very slow and arduous process. I also tried this with my own Ubuntu 12.04 Precise 64bit OS which was installed along side Windows 7 and again came out successful. In fact, I am using it right now. I have to say this is some pretty awesome and powerful stuff. If the persistence part works, then you could just take this anywhere and develop and not have to worry about losing your data when you shut down. It runs so much quicker.

Also, an important note. Make sure you select "Backup" when you run Remastersys. I unfortunately ran "Distribution" previously and it just kept the installed programs and nothing else(saved data, folders, user data, etc.)

P.S.

I would really appreciate it if you could create a 64 bit image of DrupalPro. Especially using this technique. I'd be more than grateful. I'm also sure many other people would benefit from it as well. Thanks : )

mike stewart’s picture

mike stewart commented
Status: Active » Closed (fixed)

AlanO - ok, this is waaaay cool that you shared this tutorial to use remastersys to move an image onto a USB drive. I hadn't seen before, but way stinking cool and even better than what I had orginally considered -- as you don't even need virtualbox. hmm... I might really consider this, too.

I've been out of town the whole last week ... but will take a look at this ... I'm not sure it can be automated (easily) and if not, I'm unlikely to create images.

However, when I suggested that you could run this setup from a USB drive, I meant either mucking with virtualbox settings for the drupalpro image. I haven't done something like it recently ... I only know its possible -- and not automated. A quick search of the web and you'll find some examples, such as:

mike stewart’s picture

mike stewart commented
Status: Closed (fixed) » Fixed

oops, chose wrong status.

AlanO’s picture

AlanO commented

There is some more information I should probably share. I'm using the DrupalPro 32bit on a live USB right now and I honestly don't know anything about scripts or installing the server(except from online tutorials) etc. so don't expect much from me on configuring those.

1. The hosts file seems to reset every time I start the Live USB. I'm not sure if it's a problem with the remastersys configuration or if it can be resolved with a script. I did use virtualmin.sh file previously on my own x64bit Live USB to delete a website and I read a part that said it was reverting to a hosts backup. It did restore my hosts file and my other sites became available so maybe a script can be made for people who run on a USB.

2. If you are going to create an ISO through VirtualBox you'll have to create another user. I don't know why but somehow creating another user allowed the Backup option to work.

3. The Time doesn't show no matter what. I think that is default for a live USB...I could be wrong.

4. In Windows you can use a program that will install the ISO and an executable file for VirtualBox on your Live USB. Here's the program...Note, you're not allowed to use persistence within VirtualBox and I haven't tested this yet.
http://www.linuxliveusb.com/en/download

5. There is a difference in speed from the DrupalPro 32x than my own x64 Ubuntu live usb. I don't know how to calculate the benchmarks...it was just something I noticed.

Status: Fixed » Closed (fixed)

Automatically closed -- issue fixed for 2 weeks with no activity.

timwood’s picture

timwood
Primary language English
Location Rockville, Maryland
commented

You can workaround the hosts file being overwritten each time by placing a copy of DrupalPro's hosts file somewhere (I used /etc/hosts_drupalpro) then adding the following to /etc/rc.local

sudo cp /etc/hosts_drupalpro /etc/hosts

Source suggestion: http://www.remastersys.com/forums/index.php?topic=805.0;wap2

As written, this will overwrite the /etc/hosts file each time the bootable device is uses. Not a workable solution for something that uses/needs persistence.

Linux Live USB looks AWESOME by the way. Thanks for pointing that out.