Automating Network Startup

Using the "pump" example from the Tutorial, we add the pump command to PLAC.go as follows:

• Boot up with the floppy out: Remove the floppy, place the CD in the CD drive, and boot the computer.

• Mount the floppy: Place the floppy in the floppy drive and type:

  mount /dev/fd0 /mnt/floppy

• Update PLAC.go on the floppy: Add the pump command to the end of the PLAC.go file as follows:

  echo "pump" >> /mnt/floppy/PLAC.go
  

• Sync and reboot: Type:

  sync
  

  Wait for this program to finish, then reboot. When they system comes up, and from then on, as long as the floppy is inserted, the system will try to come up under DHCP at bootup.

  Network startup can take some time with DHCP, so be prepared to wait. If it's allright not to wait (even though the network is not yet fully up), substitute this command for the 'echo' command:

  echo "pump&" >> /mnt/floppy/PLAC.go
  

For fixed IP addresses, use the script from the normal IP address startup instead, as follows, substituting the proper IP addresses and other parameters as needed. Just drop in these two lines (properly modified for your network) above in place of the 'echo "pump...' line

echo "ifconfig eth0 10.0.0.17 up" >> /mnt/floppy/PLAC.go
echo "route add default gw 10.0.0.1" >> /mnt/floppy/PLAC.go