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Running Porteus off of USB to load .VHD files from Network

Posted: 25 Aug 2011, 17:40
by KenF3TG
I will appologise in advance because I know the format that i post this in will inevitably be incorrect in some shape or manner (even after having read the how to post faq).

My background: I just started using linux based platforms about two days ago. Porteus is my first platform.

My Situation: I want to load .vhd files that were created from Microsoft Hyper-V within Porteus. I have successfully installed Porteus and booted it from a USB drive. I can connect to network storage locations and locate my .vhd files. Will Porteus support running an application using virtualization to load these .vhd files?

Edit: Trying to download and use VirtualBox but very open to suggestions for compatible applications

Re: Running Porteus off of USB to load .VHD files from Netwo

Posted: 25 Aug 2011, 17:46
by Hamza
Do you want to use VBox Disk from Another Network Place ?
What is the protocol used to locate the file? I think, it is Samba (CIFS)

Please post more information.

Re: Running Porteus off of USB to load .VHD files from Netwo

Posted: 25 Aug 2011, 18:09
by KenF3TG
I want to be able to run VBox within Porteus to load a .vhd (virtual machine from hyper-V) that is stored on a server on my network. All I am doing to access the network storage is going to home, then typing "\\#.#.#.#\" (my server's ip address) in the address bar and it pulls it right up. Let me look up how to find out what protocol is being used and I'll get back to you with that information. As far as more information, I am still learning what information is available for me to give you, so please forgive my ignorance at this point, I'm teaching myself linux as we speak.

Posted after 10 minutes 39 seconds:
Re: Running Porteus off of USB to load .VHD files from Network
I can only assume Samba SMB/CIFS, it seems to be the default protocol for linux destros. And yes, the .vhd files are located on the network, so all I would need is proteus on the usb drive (done) and Vbox on the usb drive (not done, server keeps timing out on download). Then I would just be accessing the network for the file locations. hmm...(to myself)but without a physical nic emulating a virtual switch, the virtual machines wouldn't have network access due to a lack of a virtual nic. I wonder if Vbox would take care of that, if not...this whole line of questioning is obsolete.
(back to you) What information can I give you that would help you out?

Re: Running Porteus off of USB to load .VHD files from Netwo

Posted: 25 Aug 2011, 18:24
by Hamza
You are using Samba Server. So, you will need to write a script to mount a CIFS to point to your server.

Code: Select all

#!/bin/bash

if [ "`whoami`" != "root" ]; then
echo "You must execute `basename $0` as root"
exit 1
fi

mkdir /mnt/remote_server
IP=x.x.x.x ### COMPLETE THIS
RPTH=/path/to/remote_path ### COMPLETE THIS
USER=XXX ### COMPLETE THIS
PASS=XXX ### COMPLETE THIS
DOMAIN=XXX ### COMPLETE THIS

/sbin/mount.cifs //$IP/$RPTH /mnt/remote_server -o user=$USER;password=$PASS;domain=$DOMAIN

if [ "$?" == "0" ]; then
echo "The remote filesystem has been mounted as '/mnt/remote_server'"
else
echo "It appear that something wrong."
rm -Rf /mnt/remote_server
fi
Try this script, complete the login's information and remote path before to run it.

Enjoy!

I did not tested it.

Update : I fixed an error with synthax on mount.cifs line.

Re: Running Porteus off of USB to load .VHD files from Netwo

Posted: 25 Aug 2011, 18:31
by KenF3TG
thank you Hamza, you have been very helpful.

Re: Running Porteus off of USB to load .VHD files from Netwo

Posted: 25 Aug 2011, 18:39
by Hamza
You're welcome. Did you tested the previous script ?

Re: Running Porteus off of USB to load .VHD files from Netwo

Posted: 27 Aug 2011, 17:07
by brokenman
Welcome to linux ... and porteus. I hope you enjoy your ride.

You can download vbox from the porteus server. You should have no troubles using a remote vhd. Vbox will take care of networking.