Jailbreaking a Google Search Appliance

gistfile1.txt

These are my notes from my abandoned project to wipe and reuse a Google Search Appliance:


Dell PowerEdge 2950 (model EMS01)

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/pe2950/en/hom/html/index.htm

Disable BIOS Password

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/pe2950/en/hom/html/jumpers.htm#wp1054535

Flash the BIOS

http://davehope.co.uk/Blog/turn-an-old-google-appliance-into-an-esx-server
http://davehope.co.uk/Blog/install-esx-from-usb-drive

Make a bootable USB key
http://www.bay-wolf.com/usbmemstick.htm
run usbmemkeyboot/SP27608.exe
select files in win98boot
Download BIOS 2.6.1 from dell (6/30/2009)
copy PE2950-020601C.exe to the USB key
Set the option to boot from front USB ports
    press power
    hold F2 to enter System Setup
    set option
Boot from DOS USB key
    run command: PE2950-020601C.exe
    update will give an error saying can’t be installed to google appliance
    run command: 020601 /forcetype
    system should reboot
Get VMware vSphere Hypervisor (based on EXSi)
    https://www.vmware.com/tryvmware/index.php?p=free-esxi&lp=1


CentOS 5.2 Installation

http://www.centos.org/docs/5/html/5.2/Installation_Guide/
(5.5: http://www.centos.org/docs/5/html/5.5/Release_Notes/installation.html)

OTHER USEFUL STUFF

Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) 

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/pe2950/en/hom/html/syssetup.htm#wp1056468

enables configuring, monitoring, and recovery of systems remotely.

To remotely access the BMC through the integrated NIC, you must connect the network connection to integrated NIC1.

Entering the BMC Setup Module: 1. Turn on or restart your system. 2. Press <Ctrl-E> when prompted after POST.  ** If your operating system begins to load before you press <Crtl-E>, allow the system to finish booting, and then restart your system and try again.

CentOS USB Key Install

http://wiki.centos.org/HowTos/InstallFromUSBkey