How to create a custom Debian ISO

[Marvin Renich]

Hello
1. I want to add a custom kernel that supports my Hardware.
2. I want to add my own Apt repo which hosts various software packages to support my hardware.
I am not able to get any good documentation for the same. Please help.

[Redirecting to debian-user, dropping -project, M-F-T set to debian-user only]

First, please don't double-post the same message within a few minutes.
Give your message at least a half hour to show up before you decide it
wasn't received.

Second, neither debian-devel nor debian-project are appropriate lists
for this question. You should use debian-***@lists.debian.org or some
other user-oriented forum. Also, posting a question to multiple lists
at once (called cross-posting) is considered rude in most situations.

To give a possible answer to your question, look at the Debian Live
project: https://www.debian.org/devel/debian-live/

The package live-build from the Debian Live project might help you do
what you want.

...Marvin

[Thomas Schmitt]

Hi,

Post by Marvin Renich

1. I want to add a custom kernel that supports my Hardware.
2. I want to add my own Apt repo which hosts various software packages to

support my hardware.

Post by Marvin Renich

I am not able to get any good documentation for the same. Please help.

The package live-build from the Debian Live project might help you do
what you want.

Indeed the live-build package seems to be in use outside Debian's own
ISO production. Mailing list is
debian-***@lists.debian.org
There exists a manual
https://live-team.pages.debian.net/live-manual/html/live-manual/index.en.html

Installation ISOs are made by package debian-cd, of which i am not aware
that it would have have users outside the official ISO production.i
Mailing list is
debian-***@lists.debian.org
Your impression about lack of documentation is not wrong as far as this
project is concerned. :))


Nevertheless the production step of packing up the ISO from a prepared
file tree is documented together with methods to use a Debian installation
ISO as base for the preparation:
https://wiki.debian.org/RepackBootableISO

Packages may probably be added at the appropriate place in the directory
tree under /pool. (Managing a Debian repo is not my turf. Sorry for
being vague here.)

Changing the content of a Debian ISO might need some follow-up work in
administrative files of the ISO.
When merging Debian ISOs, my script
https://dev.lovelyhq.com/libburnia/libisoburn/raw/branch/master/test/merge_debian_isos
manipulates:
/README.txt
/dists/*/Release
and merges the files listed in /dists/*/Release.
You would have to explore whether these files are affected by your
changes.


Have a nice day :)

Thomas

[Thomas Schmitt]

Hi,

I would prefer making the ISO as similar to the official Debian ISO and just
replace the Debian kernel with the customised kernel.

In that case, i'd go along
https://wiki.debian.org/RepackBootableISO
Either by using the xorrisofs options in /.disk/mkisofs of the ISO :

https://wiki.debian.org/RepackBootableISO#Learn_about_the_actually_used_ISO_production_command

or by relying on the capability of xorriso to determine the commands
which will reproduce the boot equipmemt of the loaded ISO :

https://wiki.debian.org/RepackBootableISO#In_xorriso_load_ISO_tree_and_write_modified_new_ISO

If you need help with finding the appropriate xorriso commands, ask me
in private or in public at bug-***@gnu.org .


What remains is to find out whether this works out of the box or whether
the kernel has to be announced in some files of the ISO or even
cryptographically signed in some way.

------

Just in case your adventure goes beyond replacing the kernel and possibly
the boot loader menu files, i warn of a bug in xorriso-1.5.6 and older:
Don't overwrite the El Torito boot image files in a xorriso run that uses
-boot_image "any" "replay"
The boot image files in Debian amd64 ISOs are /isolinux/isolinux.bin
and /boot/grub/efi.img .
If you need to replace them, then we have to talk.


Have a nice day :)

Thomas

[t***@tuxteam.de]

Post by Thomas Schmitt
Hi,

I would prefer making the ISO as similar to the official Debian ISO and just
replace the Debian kernel with the customised kernel.

In that case, i'd go along

[...]

Not the OP, but thanks, Thomas. Your posts are always
a trove. And pleasant, on top!

Cheers

[Thomas Schmitt]

Hi,

Post by t***@tuxteam.de
Not the OP, but thanks, Thomas.

Well, ISO 9660 is known to be my hobby. So i can hardly resist trying
to acquire new users for xorriso.


Have a nice day :)

Thomas

[Thomas Schmitt]

Hi,

This one is gonna be interesting.
Wish me luck.

Fingers are crossed ...

(But everything in the procedure is supposed to be deterministic. So there
is few room for luck, good or bad. We rather have to navigate the chaos.)


Have a nice day :)

Thomas