В Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:47:23 +0200
okordy
Hi,
I want to take part in GSOC working for opensuse, so I have posted my ideas here: http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-project/2013-04/msg00057.html
Someone answered me, that I should discuss it here and call for mentors.
My idea: external boot selection sources for Grub2 (windows; serial port)
This is rather cross-distribution topic, but may require creating distribution-specific tools (which could be incorporated to grub project, if they wants to).
Problem scenario #1: I'm working (at the moment) on Windows, installed an system update and want to reboot. So, I click "reboot" and go to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. When I come back, linux is started, because it was default selection and grub booted into it.
Problem scenario #2: My PC is shut down and I want to boot into Windows. I press "power" and wait for system to boot. BIOS takes some time to check the hardware, grub waits 3 seconds for OS selection and... I'm late for selecting Windows, because I was disturbed for a moment by something else.
Problem scenario #3: I want to boot my PC remotely to Windows, using Ethernet card boot feature. I have to boot into default system (linux) first, then reboot into Windows.
Common problem: I have to stare at monitor during boot process, to not overlook Grub menu - if I miss it, I waste lots of time to wait for reboot to correct OS.
Suggested solution: I wanted to implement simple-to-use tools to make it possible to:
- select "reboot to" OS directly from Windows (like it's currently done in opensuse) - this would include preparing configuration tool for linux (to setup grub, or windows app, if needed), patching grub itself (also, if needed) and implementing Windows application, which would let select next boot-once OS for Grub and reboot PC. Such Windows tool would be splitted into at least two components: pure command-line tool just to set boot-once setting and GUI app to easily use it.
grub2 can be built for Cygwin at least so you can just use standard grub-reboot tool. The challenge it to get access to grub.cfg and grubenv which are likely located on Linux filesystem (and at least grub.cfg can be on encrypted filesystem). It would be useful to develop framework to place what is now in grubenv outside of any filesystem at all (you may call it "patching grub").
- (optional) make it possible to control grub via physical device (connected, for example, via serial port). It would make it possible for user to build a simple-as-possible switch, which would let him select OS *before* powering on or rebooting PC
- (optional, I'm not sure if it's possible to do it during GSoC, or won't require too much dependencies) make it possible to select OS when booting from Ethernet card
Just boot grub2 using PXE and point it to grub.cfg which boots Windows by default. Everything should work today. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-factory+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, e-mail: opensuse-factory+owner@opensuse.org