Installing SUSE Enterprise Server without a DVD-ROM

Last week I had a problem. I was tasked with installing SUSE Enterprise Server but the server we were to install the OS on did not have a DVD-ROM and would not boot via USB. I tried to resolve this issue by using CD media or a mini iso/network install, but I found that Novell has decided to no longer support these options with the enterprise version of their distro. Strangely they still offer these options if you use OpenSUSE.

First I tried using the OpenSUSE network install (mini iso) media, but it would not allow me to use the SUSE Enterprise Server network installation source. Eventually, I came up with a working solution. I figured I post it here for anyone else who needs it. Please note these instructions assume you are using linux.

1. Copy the SUSE Enterprise DVD contents to a ftp, http, or other location. You can use a a few methods to do this. The easiest way to do this is to have a pre-existing SUSE Server. YAST has an option to create a Installation Server. Follow the wizard and it is self explanatory.
2. Next mount the install media somewhere and create a temp folder to use for the creation of the new iso.

   mkdir /tmp/minicd
   cd /tmp/minicd

3. Now we are going to copy over the files needed for the mini iso.

   cp -a /mnt/SLES_DVD/boot/i386/loader/* .

4. Finally create the iso.

   cd /tmp
   mkisofs -o minicd.iso -b isolinux.bin -c boot.cat -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table ./minicd

5. Burn the ISO and boot it.
6. At the GRUB Prompt use the following options to boot. (Assuming you setup your server to use HTTP)

   install=http://ServerIP/path/to/installer

   You could also edit the isolinux.cfg to always use this option if you require multiple installs.

   # net install
   label Network Install
   kernel linux
   append initrd=initrd splash=silent showopts install=http://ServerIP/path/to/installer

There you have it. I hope this helps out anyone else who finds themselves in my situation.

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