3.2. First steps: building an ISO image

The following sequence of helper commands, provided by live-helper, will create a basic ISO image containing just the Debian standard system without X.org. It is suitable for burning to CD or DVD media.

First, we run the lh config helper command which will create a "config/" hierarchy in the current directory for use by other helper commands:

$ lh config

By passing no parameters to lh config we indicated that we wish to use the defaults. This will create an image of type binary (see Section 4.1.1, “The lh config helper”).

Now that we have a "config/" hierarchy, we may build the image with the lh build helper command:

# lh build

This process can take a while, depending on the speed of your network connection (see Section 4.1.2, “The lh build helper”).

3.2.1. Testing an ISO image with Qemu

Testing an ISO is simple:

# apt-get install qemu $ qemu -cdrom binary.iso

3.2.2. Testing an ISO image with virtualbox-ose

In order to test the ISO with virtualbox-ose:

# apt-get install virtualbox-ose
and either install
  • the modules package for a stock kernel eg virtualbox-ose-modules-2.6.26-1-486 or

  • the modules package compiled for your kernel using module-assistant from the package virtualbox-ose-source

Run Virtualbox:

For example, in Gnome

{{{Applications -> System Tools -> VirtualBox OSE }}}

Create a virtual machine from your Live ISO

To create a virtual machine "mylive" from A CDROM ISO "binary.iso" in VirtualBox:

{{{Machine -> New }}}

In the Wizard: FIXME

3.2.3. Testing an ISO image with VMware Workstation

In order to test the ISO with VMware Workstation:

Run VMware Workstation:

Click on Edit virtual machine settings in the VM summary page.

Then, click on the CD-ROM device and select Use ISO image. Remeber to connect the CD-ROM device at power on and remeber to adjust the boot order in the bios.

3.2.4. Burning an ISO image to a physical medium

Burning an ISO image is easy:

# apt-get install wodim $ wodim binary.iso