How to install Fedora 1* on a running Fedora 7 server, over the internet

[Vector]

Ok, so here's the deal, i've got a webserver from GoDaddy, but they only offer Fedora 7 (i won't use CentOS). I've been thinking of upgrading to fully dedicated, so that i can have the hpet timer needed to run a conference bridge, but i also need a later version of fedora to get some important packages needed for various things. They don't offer another version of Fedora, but i know that there are ways to install it over the network.

I've briefly done some reading into PXE installs, but it seems that you have to be installing from a LOCAL network (because you need dhcp, etc to determine the install media's location). So i need to know if there is a way that i can ssh into my Fedora 7 server, and via the ssh only, install Fedora 10 or 12 over the internet. The location of the install media isn't important (it could even be my own local development/home server (i have a big bandwidth connection @ home)).

Is this possible? I will google this more later, when i get more time, but i just wonder if someone HERE has done it before.


--- As a side note, i'm also curious if anyone here has ever setup a mail server and dns server via ssh (no control panel or gui). I've read about how to do DNS for a while now, and i understood a lot of what i read about DNS, but i'd be afraid to break my box when trying to change the email and dns configs. DNS and Email server setups are the only 2 things that i have left to figure out before i can completely get rid of my "Simple Control Panel", and do everything over ssh. I hate these control panels because they change WHAT the config files are (names), and they change WHERE they are on the file system. I know enough about web servers and voip servers to override the panel configs with my own, but not for the DNS and Email configs. If i could find a guru, i might be interested in paying them to walk me through it.


Thanks.

[assen]

Hi,

Haven't done exactly this, but two (random)ideas came up as read your question:

- You can run a current Fedora in a VM on your VPS

- If you have DS (that is, can boot physically a machine), a kind of "L3-enabled" PXE is the boot.fedoraproject.org (BFO) project, which allows you to boot Fedora from an Internet server: http://boot.fedoraproject.org/

Regarding setting up mail/DNS over SSH the answer is: 'many times" :-) It is safe and easy as long as you commit to reading documentation and lose fear from console tools like vim.

WWell,

[bodhi.zazen]

If you are running a VPS you could try using preupgrade , you may be able to go from F7 to a higher version, I am not sure.

http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/PreUpgrade

But, IMO, on a VPS, you are better off backing up your data and asking godaddy for a new VPS, flavor of your choice.

IMHO I would use either Debian (runs quite well, very stable as a VPS) or Centos over Fedora. I know you are biased about Centos, but, the main advantage of Centos or Debian is the stability (less breakage, less need to upgrade the entire VPS).

[Vector]

Thanx @ both. The reason that i dont use anything other than fedora is because i hate the way they're administrated (eg, sudo). I also like knowing that there are a lot of packages that can be yummed, and not built.

I'm going to read into the BFO. I've read about that PreUpgrade / Upgrade option before, but if i could get a clean install, then i'd opt for that.

Thanx again

@assen
I'll pm you my email/phone for the other issue.

[Vector]

Hey guys, i have looked at more options, including the BFO, but it seems that you'd have to have physical access to the machine for these (to insert a CD, or, in the case of BFO, to select options at the boot menu, etc). So, it looks like there may be no way to do this ENTIRELY over ssh...

Thanks

[Vector]

Ok, so i was chatting with a rep of "The Planet", and they said this:

Austin: We did for a while and then stopped earlier this year due to lack of interest. I recommend adding KVM over IP for $30/month and then cancelling it after the first month. With this option you can manually install whatever linux distro you want.
Austin: Basically, you remotely mount the image
Austin: And then boot the server with KVM
Austin: And then install it as if you were sitting in front of it
Austin: Or you could just have us put the disk in the server if your provide an image
Austin: And then remotely install it with KVM over IP
Austin: Its like having a local keyboard and mouse.

So, has anyone every tried this before? I guess i could just get a server for a month, and if it doesn't work, screw it; but if it does: great.

[yungblood]

Running a remote kvm is very easy. It takes a little coordination with the hosting company, but it's just like installing at home. You just have to have them put the disc in, and remove it at the appropriate times.
-Kevin