Debian Install : Netboot from USB Flash Drive

This is the best way to install Debian.  Netboot from USB w/ local approx proxy.  It probably works for Ubuntu, also,

USB Flash Drive

#-----------------------start copy-----------------------------
#1. Insert the USB stick, but do not mount it, yet.  That will
#come soon enough...
#2. Get the sid install files (even if you install etch):
wget ftp.us.debian.org:/debian/dists/sid/main/installer-i386/\
current/images/netboot/debian-installer/i386/linux
wget ftp.us.debian.org:/debian/dists/sid/main/installer-i386/\
current/images/netboot/debian-installer/i386/initrd.gz
wget ftp.us.debian.org:/debian/dists/sid/main/installer-i386/\
current/images/netboot/mini.iso

#3. Insure these packages are installed on your machine:
apt-get install mbr syslinux mtools -y

#4. Apply the following commands, replaceing sdb with the propper dev
#name of your device.  (You can always tail syslog or dmesg for a hint...)

install-mbr /dev/sdb
syslinux /dev/sdb1
mount /dev/sdb1 /media/usb
cp linux initrd.gz mini.iso /media/usb
echo -e "default linux\nappend priority=low vga=normal "\
  "initrd=initrd.gz ramdisk_size=12000 root=/dev/ram rw"\
  > /media/usb/syslinux.cfg
umount /dev/sdb1

#------------------------------end copy----------------------------------------------

OK!!  You are done prepping the flash drive.

Stick it in the target machine, boot form the flash device (usually a USB setting, I think Dell's let you hit F12 for a menu).  Install as normal...\  Very easy, trust me.

If your have an approx server up and running, you can speed subsequent installs by following these steps:
1. When the initial boot: prompt comes up, type expert.
2. On the mirror selection page, go to the very top... the choice is "select your own", "custom", or msome such.  Select it.
3. Type the IP of your approx server, followed by the colon and the approx port (eg. "192.168.100.3:9999").

SB