Welcome to the Compact Flash Builder
Tutorial
for IBM NetVista Thin Client with TurboLinux
This document will walk you through the process of building a custom compact
flash image with CFBuilder. If you have not already started CFBuilder, open a
terminal , change to the CFBuilder directory,
(/IBM/CFBuilder_2.5)
and execute the CFBuilder file. Note: To do this, you must be root user.
- cd /IBM/CFBuilder_2.5
- ./CFBuilder
The following is a step-by-step walk through of building an image with
BaseOS, FVWM2, and the Netscape Browser.
- Intro Screenshot
-
- This screen is an introduction to the Compact Flash Builder.
- Please read the introduction and click Next when you are finished.
- Building Packages Screenshot
-
- The Build Package screen allows you to build the Software Packages. The following packages are supported:
- BaseOS (Basic operating system required to boot Linux on a compact flash)
- Citrix ICA Client (Metaframe server client for Linux)
- Netscape (Internet browser for Linux)
- FTP Client
- Telnet Client
- FVWM2 Window Manager
- You need to select the components you want to build. Once you have built these packages
you will not need to build them again. By building the packages you make them available
for selection when choosing what to include on your compact flash. We will need to
select BaseOS, FVWM2, and Netscape_4.61 so we can add them to our image later.
NOTE: BaseOS and FVWM2 must be built to have a working flash.
- Choose BaseOS, FVWM2, and Netscape
-
- Clicking the "->" button will add the selected component to the build list on the right.
- If you have added a component in error, you can click the "<-" to remove it from the list on the right.
- To find out more about any component, select it and then click on Help This will open
- the information document. Select Netscape and click on Info.
- Help File Dialog Screenshot
-
- The Help button will open a document with information about the component.
- Click on Done to close the information window, then click on Build to build the packages in the list on the right.
- Building the BaseOS Package
-
- After clicking on Build, CFBuilder will go through the build process for each component you
- selected. Some components require the RPMs from the Linux CD. You will be prompted for the
- path to the particular RPMs required in that component. The file names of the RPMS required are listed in the
information document for each component. BaseOS does not require any RPMS.
- Find Netscape File Screenshot
-
- During the build process for Netscape, you will be prompted with a dialog to
- supply the location of the required RPMs. Click on Browse.
- Browse Dialog Screenshot
-
- Clicking on Browse will open a FileOpen Dialog.
- Change the Directory to the location where the Netscape RPM's are stored.
- Select the file the package requires and click Open.
- After Clicking on Open
-
- Clicking Open returns the file name you selected.
- Click Done when you have located all the required RPMs for that component.
- Unpacking and Installing
-
- CFBuilder will now build the Netscape package.
- The package will be saved to the Packages directory
in the CFBuilder directory for future use. Building may take some time; please be patient.
You may, at any time remove these tars, but once deleted, you will have
to build them again. Repeat this process for FVWM2.
- When the process is complete, you will see this screen:
- Finished Building
-
- This screen appears after a successful package build.
- Repeat the process for each package you wish to install. Once you have finished building, click Next to continue.
- Initializing the Compact Flash
-
- This page will initalize your compact flash. You must have your compact flash
already in your thin client. If it is not, you must turn your thin client off
by turning the switch off in the back (2800) or unplugging the cord, (2200). It is
important to remember to turn the power completely off. Once the power is off, you can
insert your compact flash, and then power the machine on. Choose the operations
you want to perform on your compact flash. If you are unsure,leave the default settings
and click INITIALIZE.
- Note: After initializing the flash, all data will be gone. This operation is not reversible.
- Confirm Initialization
-
- You will be asked to confirm whether you really want to initialize your compact flash.
- The program will initialize the device /dev/hda. Once the initialization is
complete click Next to continue to Image Creation screen.
- Mounting the Flash
-
- When the Image Creation page is started, it will mount your compact flash to /mnt/hd1.
Note: The "Installing to:" field can be use to be create the image in a directory instead of
onto a compact flash.
- Reading package size
-
- Then it will look for all packages in /IBM/CFBuilder_2.5/Packages. It will then determine the size of each package and store that value. Large packages can take some time; please be patient.
- Selecting packages for a new Compact Flash Image
-
- On this page, you may select which packages you want to install on your compact flash.
- Only the packages that you have built in the Build Packages page will be available for selection.
- To add your own customized package, use the Add button. This action will open a box with a browse button in which you will need to supply the path to the file you wish to add to your image. At this time RPM, TAR, and GZIP files are supported.
- You can select which hardware (2800, 2200) that you wish to support in this image.
- Clicking New Image determines whether you want to initialize a new compact flash or update a working flash with a new package.
- To install the image to a directory on the server, use the "Installing to:" field. This option allows for the packages you selected to be installed to the server instead of the compact flash.
- Image too big
-
- The "Image Size:" label represents the size (in kilobytes) your selections require, and the amount of space (in kilobytes) left on the compact flash.
- If you attempt to add more packages than you have space for, the Add and the "->" buttons will be disabled until you reduce the size of the image. You can remove packages by selecting items and clicking the "<-" button. Once you have reduced the size required to below the amount available, the Add and "->" buttons will be enabled.
- For our tutorial image, you will need to select BaseOS, Netscape, and FVWM2 and then click the "->" button to add them to the list on the right.
- Select the hardware you wish to support and make sure New Image is selected. Now click on Build.
- Adding Packages
-
- To add a customized package, click on the Add button. CFBuilder supports: .tar, .tar.gz, .tgz, .z, .rpm
NOTE: BaseOS and FVWM2 must be selected to have a working flash.
- Adding a custom file
-
- You will be prompted for the location of your customized package.
- Once you located the package you want to add, click Done. The package you selected will be added
to the install list on the right. Once you have made your selections, click Build.
- Custom File added
-
- Installing packages
-
- CFBuilder will install the selected packages to the compact flash. This process may take a while so please be patient.
- Installing Custom File
-
- CFBuilder will determine what type the custom file is and how to install it.
- When installation is complete you may continue.
- Installation is Complete
-
- Installation is complete. When all the selected packages are installed, click Next to continue.
- Configuring your Compact Flash Image
-
- On this page you can set your Screen Size (640x480, 800x600 ... )
and your color depth, (8bit, 16bit), as well as your default sound level,
and also your management server IP address. Click each button on the left
(Display, Sound, or Management) to bring up the configuration screen.
- Display Resolutions and Color Depth Configuration
-
- Clicking Display will bring up the resolution and color depth selection. Select your resolution and depth.
Then click on one of the other configuration options or click Save.
- Sound Level Configuration
-
- Set the desired sound level by clicking Sound. Move the slider to set the volume level. Click Save or another configuration option.
- Configure Management Server
-
- Clicking Management will bring up the management screen. Select the Enable Management box and enter the IP address of the management server if you wish to have your client use the management server.
- Saving your configuration
-
- After configuration, click Save to store the values.
You may now boot your thin client from the compact flash you created.
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