Install Ubuntu Server edition remotely?

**peterlauri** · January 2nd, 2009

Hi,

Is it possible to install Ubuntu remotely somehow? I have a server in US that now have Fedora C8 installed but want to replace it with Ubuntu Server Edition.

I guess it is not possible as I need to reboot etc

/Peter

**BenAshton24** · January 2nd, 2009

If your server is run by a company then why not just give them a call and ask them to do it... if they say no then you could always try saying that perhaps you will be considering a more helpful provider

**paris_alex** · January 3rd, 2009

wow.. sounds like something crazy.. hehe.. but i'd be interested to know if it's possible... do update if u somehow manage to do it ya...

*** warning: instructions below are purely my imagination on how this would work (but it does not) ***
- create an ubuntu ISO with automated installation scripts
- create a new blank partition on the remote server
- copy the ubuntu ISO to this new partition
- configure grub to read that new ISO partition as the default 'boot partition' during startup
- restart the remote computer...and pray!

anyway, good luck!

**paris_alex** · January 3rd, 2009

wow.. sounds like something crazy.. hehe.. but i'd be interested to know if it's possible... do update if u somehow manage to do it ya...

*** warning: instructions below are purely my imagination on how this would work (but it does not) ***
- create an ubuntu ISO with automated installation scripts
- create a new blank partition on the remote server
- copy the ubuntu ISO to this new partition
- configure grub to read that new ISO partition as the default 'boot partition' during startup
- restart the remote computer...and pray!

anyway, good luck!

**handydan918** · January 3rd, 2009

I'm betting this is not so tough. Assuming you have remote access, like ssh, then you should be able to download an iso, (debian netinstall comes to mind)and use a boot-time fromiso option to boot from the .iso.

Seems like you could test the theory on a somewhat less remote server...

**albinootje** · January 3rd, 2009

Originally Posted by peterlauri

Hi,

Is it possible to install Ubuntu remotely somehow? I have a server in US that now have Fedora C8 installed but want to replace it with Ubuntu Server Edition.

I read about this approach years ago already, although I didn't try it myself yet :

Here's a howto for Debian :
http://www.underhanded.org/papers/de...remotedeb.html

And, for black humor entertainment, here for FreeBSD :
http://www.daemonology.net/depenguinator/

Greetings from a Debian/Ubuntu/FreeBSD fan