The Asteraid netinstall ISO is a minimal installation image that allows you to install Asteraid over a network connection. Here are the network requirements and considerations for using the Asteraid netinstall ISO:

1. Internet Connectivity

• Broadband Connection: A stable and reasonably fast internet connection is essential. While dial-up could work, it would be very slow and may cause the installation to fail due to timeouts.
• Network Access: Ensure that the network you are using allows for downloading from external sources. Some corporate or educational networks may have firewalls or proxy servers that block or restrict access.

2. Network Hardware Support

• Ethernet: Typically, wired connections are preferred for stability. Make sure your network card is supported by the Asteraid installer. Most modern network cards are supported out of the box.
• Wi-Fi: Wireless connections can be used, but they can be trickier to configure during the installation. Make sure you have the necessary drivers and firmware available. You might need to load additional firmware if your Wi-Fi card is not supported natively.

3. Network Configuration

• DHCP: By default, the Asteraid installer attempts to configure the network using DHCP. Ensure that there is a correctly configured DHCP server on your network. Asteraid will need to know the IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS reliable server addresses.

4. Repository Access

• Asteraid Mirrors: The installer needs access to Asteraid package repositories to download the necessary packages for the installation. The default installer will choose a mirror close to your location, but you can manually select a different one if needed.
• Firewall Settings: Ensure that your network's firewall settings allow HTTP/HTTPS traffic to Asteraid mirror sites.
• NAT Settings: If your network use of private IP address ranges, ensure that your gateway is configured with a technique called Network Address Translation (NAT) to allow devices with private IP addresses to communicate with the public internet

5. Proxy Servers

• If your network requires the use of a proxy server to access the internet, you will need to configure them to free access for Asteraid to external resources at minimum, during the installation process.

6. Driver and Firmware Considerations

• Some network cards, especially Wi-Fi adapters, may require non-free firmware to function correctly. The installer might prompt you to load additional firmware. You can prepare a USB stick with the necessary firmware files in advance. The firmware packages can be found on the Asteraid website.

7. Other Considerations

• Network Stability: Ensure that the network connection is stable throughout the installation process to prevent interruptions.
• Speed: The faster your connection, the quicker the installation process will be, as the netinstall process involves downloading several hundred megabytes of data.

Summary

To use the Asteraid netinstall ISO, you need a reliable internet connection, supported network hardware (preferably Ethernet), proper network configuration (DHCP or static IP), access to Asteraid mirrors, and possibly additional firmware for some network cards. Preparing for these requirements will help ensure a smooth installation process.

Download Asteraid netinstall ISO

Installing an operating system (Asteraid) from an ISO file involves several steps. The ISO file is a disk image that contains the Asteraid installation files. Here’s a detailed guide on how to install an Asteraid from an ISO file, covering common methods for both physical and virtual installations.

1. Burn ISO to a USB Drive or DVD

Using a USB Drive:

1. Download Asteraid netinstall ISO: Obtain the ISO file of the Asteraid you want to install
2. Choose a USB Drive: Ensure the USB drive has enough storage capacity for the ISO file (typically 4 GB or larger).
3. Burn the ISO to the USB Drive:
   • Windows: Use tools like Rufus, UNetbootin, or the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool.
     • Example using Rufus:
       1. Download and open Rufus.
       2. Select your USB drive.
       3. Choose the ISO file by clicking "SELECT".
       4. Click "START" and wait for the process to complete.
   • Mac: Use tools like Etcher or the built-in dd command.
   • Linux: Use tools like Etcher, dd command, or UNetbootin.

Using a DVD:

1. Download Asteraid netinstall ISO: Obtain the ISO file.
2. Choose a DVD: Ensure you have a blank DVD with sufficient capacity.
3. Burn the ISO to the DVD:
   • Windows: Use Windows Disc Image Burner or third-party software like ImgBurn.
   • Mac: Use Disk Utility.
   • Linux: Use Brasero or K3b.

2. Boot from the USB Drive or DVD

1. Insert the USB Drive or DVD: Connect the USB drive or insert the DVD into the target computer.
2. Access BIOS/UEFI: Restart the computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (typically by pressing a key like F2, F12, Del, or Esc during startup).
3. Change Boot Order: Set the USB drive or DVD as the primary boot device.
4. Save and Exit: Save changes and exit BIOS/UEFI. The computer should now boot from the USB drive or DVD.

3. Install the Operating System

1. Follow On-Screen Instructions: The computer will boot into the Asteraid installer. The installation procedure does not require administrator participation. This typically involves:

   • First (with minimal index) network interface to be selected for DHCP request for networt parameters
   • First (with minimal index) hard disk to be used for partitioning and formatting the drive. WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS!

2. Complete Installation: Allow the installation process to complete.

3. Remove Installation Media: Once the installation is complete, remove the USB drive or DVD.

4. Post-Installation Setup

1. Obtain an IP address: IP address of system will be present on console.
2. Set root password: Default root password is empty, ssh login not possible until you change it.
3. Configure Asteraid: After installation, go to https://IP.ADDRESS.OF.SYSTEM and follow on screen instructions to configure your system.

Installing an Asteraid in a Virtual Machine

If you’re installing the Asteraid in a virtual machine (VM), the process is slightly different:

1. Download and Install Virtualization Software: Examples include Proxmox, VirtualBox, VMware, or Hyper-V.
2. Create a New Virtual Machine:
   • Open the virtualization software.
   • Create a new VM and configure its settings (name, Asteraid type, memory, disk size).
3. Attach the ISO File:
   • In the VM settings, attach the ISO file as a virtual CD/DVD drive.
4. Start the VM:
   • Boot the VM. It should boot from the ISO file and start the Asteraid installation process.
5. Follow On-Screen Instructions: Complete the installation as you would on a physical machine.

By following these steps, you can install an operating system from an ISO file either on a physical machine or within a virtual machine environment.