Bootsplash patch for LTSP

Update

- 18 Jun 2008
This patch is no longer maintained.

- 21 Jun 2006
Finally some news! I have started working on a BootsplashKit^? which are going to replace the BootsplashPatch. It will allow users to modify the bootsplash image easily. Stay tuned.

- 06 Feb 2005
I now have a preliminary bootsplash patch ready which supports kernel 2.6. Kernel replacement package and kernel modules package are also available. Please add a note here if you have ideas or comments for the next update.

Introduction

This page is for my ltsp + bootsplash mini project. I've made a patch to the LBE that adds graphical boot (from bootsplash.org) to ltsp clients. Please read the emails linked below for details about the patch. The patches are made against todays cvs lbe (Nov. 15, 2004)

You can also download complete ready-to-use bootsplash enabled kernel and modules packages. If you are now using the LTSP supplied 2.4.26-ltsp-2 kernel you only need to download the kernel package. Unpack the kernel package somewhere in /tftpboot and modify /etc/dhcpd.conf accordingly. The default boot mode is text boot (the old way), but if you want graphical boot, you should

• Etherboot: Use the vmlinuz-splash-2.4.26-ltsp-2 kernel (i.e. change the filename parameter in dhcpd.conf)
• PXE: Change line 2 in 2.4.26-ltsp-2/pxelinux.cfg/default from 'linux' to 'linux-splash'

DISCLAIMER! Use this at your own risk.

Patches

• bootsplash-ltsp-2.6.9.patch, preliminary bootsplash patch for ltsp kernel 2.6.9
• bootsplash.v2.patch, version 2 (email)
• bootsplash.patch, version 1 (email)

Packages

Kernel drop-in replacement packages.

For kernel 2.6.9-ltsp-1:

• ltsp-kernel-bootsplash-1.4.0-i386.tgz: Preliminary bootsplash enabled LTSP kernel replacement package
• ltsp-modules-bootsplash-1.4.0-i386.tgz: Preliminary bootsplash enabled LTSP kernel modules replacement package

For kernel 2.4.26-ltsp-2:

• ltsp-kernel-1.4-0-i386.tgz: Bootsplash enabled LTSP kernel replacement package
• ltsp-modules-1.4-0-i386.tgz: LTSP kernel modules package

Screenshots

• The default (silent) image
• The verbose background image

Feedback

Do anyone find this patch/kernel package useful? Please add a note here if you like it (or if you don't). I would also like to hear if you have any problems or ideas for improvements.

• Useful thing: most common users need not the verbose messages. I've installed LTSP 4.1 from ISO-Image. Now there is a Kernel 2.4.26-ltsp-3. Does your package fit this kernel too?
  -- SvenERoth - 05 Oct 2005
• Wonderful Creation and implementation,Please Let us know How to Add the splash Screen While Booting Etherboot Clients ( Nice HOWTO) Thanks for the great Work
  -- DineshKarnad --09 July 2005
• 2.4.26 kernel package works perfectly for me. Now my users have something pretty to look at instead of complaining about the "strange messages scrolling by". Thanks for the great work!
  -- LloydHazlett - 03 Apr 2005
• 2.4.26-ltsp-2 kernel package also worked great for me. Good work!
  -- PhilippAffolter - 13 Apr 2005
• Nice job, Rasmus. Using the 'splash' utility, it's been quite easy to change the bootsplash image in your initrd!
  -- PierreBaco - 31 May 2005
• Thanks a lot, Rasmus! Question: May I change the pictures in your 2.4.26-ltsp-2 kernel package? How?
  -- SergeyMaznichenko - 31.01.2006

Best regards
Rasmus Ory Nielsen (rasmuson in #ltsp)

-- RasmusOryNielsen - 21 Jun 2006. Added news about the new BootsplashKit^?

-- RasmusOryNielsen - 31 Jan 2005

-- RasmusOryNielsen - 06 Feb 2005. Added update section

-- RasmusOryNielsen - 14 Feb 2005. Added feedback section