Passive USB hub? Does the rack server have sound? If so you could install Debian from the net install CD image written to a flash drive. Or, even if the server does not have sound, you could insert a USB sound dongle. Again, by using a USB hub to expand the number of USB ports. You could install something else as well, such as Ubuntu. But if it is a server only, there is no reason to install a desktop. The Debian net install allows you to install only the cli, and no GUI. I would not try installing Linux on another machine and then moving it across, unless it's an identical machine. I assume lots of drivers will be selected during the install which would not be appropriate for the eventual host. On 11/07/2021 11:49, Rob Hudson wrote: > Tried this on another list, got no answer, so trying here. I've got a Cisco rackmount that needs an OS. It's only got 2 usb ports, so I can't hook up a keyboard, a braille display and a linux flash drive. I'm given to understand the CIMC interface is inaccessible, and I have no idea how to set up a PXE server. Is my only option for installing an OS to connect a hard drive to another computer, install linux on there and then put it in the server? > -- Michael A. Ray Analyst/Programmer Witley, Surrey, South-east UK "Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." -- A. de Saint-Exupery
