Bootloader Assignment
For this assignment, you will install Alpine Linux operating systems in two separate virtual machines and customize the bootloaders (Syslinux and GRUB, respectively) on each machine.
Background Material
We will be using Alpine Linux for this assignment. You will need to install Alpine Linux twice in two separate QEMU virtual machines. The first virtual machine will boot using legacy BIOS, while the second virtual machine will boot using UEFI. On the legacy BIOS virtual machine, you will use the Syslinux (more precisely, EXTLINUX) bootloader; the UEFI virtual machine will use the GRUB bootloader. The primary objectives of this assignment are to get Alpine Linux installed on both virtual machines and to customize the bootloader menus for both Syslinux (EXTLINUX) and GRUB.
To begin, you might want to review Using QEMU to see how the virtual machines are created. Alternatively, you may use a different virtualization system, such as Oracle VirtualBox, but you’ll need to read the documentation to figure out how to configure the legacy and UEFI boot modes.
Obtaining Alpine Linux
For this assignment, you can download the x86_64 “Virtual” ISO file.
Reference Material
- Using QEMU
- Notes About Alpine Linux - Note that you only need the x86_64 section of the GRUB notes
- Alpine User Handbook
- Package management
Requirements
Prepare a video presentation in MP4 or WEBM format with the following information:
- Record the startup process for your first virtual machine. Show that you have customized the Syslinux (EXTLINUX) boot menu with different colors and your name somewhere on the menu screen (in the title or as dummy entries). You may make this menu as fancy as you’d like.
- Demonstrate that you can boot the first virtual machine into a working installation of Alpine Linux.
- Record the startup process for your second virtual machine. Show that you have customized the GRUB boot menu with different colors and your name somewhere on the menu screen (in the title or as dummy entries). You may make this menu as fancy as you’d like.
- Demonstrate that you can boot the second virtual machine into a working installation of Alpine Linux.
Upload your completed video presentation as the submission for this assignment.
Grading
Please review the Bootloader Rubric before submitting this assignment to Moodle.
