From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 Return-Path: smntov@gmail.com Received: from krantz.zx2c4.com (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by krantz.zx2c4.com (ZX2C4 Mail Server) with ESMTP id 8d0c3ee0 for ; Wed, 25 Apr 2018 08:59:49 +0000 (UTC) Received: from mail-wm0-f47.google.com (mail-wm0-f47.google.com [74.125.82.47]) by krantz.zx2c4.com (ZX2C4 Mail Server) with ESMTP id 7b20c2b3 for ; Wed, 25 Apr 2018 08:59:49 +0000 (UTC) Received: by mail-wm0-f47.google.com with SMTP id o78so5420817wmg.0 for ; Wed, 25 Apr 2018 02:00:39 -0700 (PDT) Return-Path: Message-ID: <1524646833.21032.97.camel@gmail.com> Subject: Remote Debian installation assistance for newbies using WireGuard VPN From: ST To: debian-boot@lists.debian.org, WireGuard mailing list Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2018 12:00:33 +0300 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Mime-Version: 1.0 List-Id: Development discussion of WireGuard List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Hello Debian Install System Team, there used to be Linux install parties - a very cool event in itself and a way to bring new users into community. However it is not so easy to organize and it is somewhat limiting in time and space. Several weeks ago I learned about the kernel-space VPN - WireGuard [1] and was so positively shocked by the ease of it's configuration/use [2] so that I don't stop to think how it can be effectively utilized. Today I was thinking whether it would be possible to use this technology to enable an experienced Linux user to help a fellow newbie to install Debian on his Windows box?... The idea is to add an "Remote assistance mode" into win32-loader. Once toggled - it will preseed and run Debian Installer (after reboot) without any interaction until it: 1. creates a WG interface, 2. obtains an IP from a (not yet extent) Debian WireGuard VPN server [3] (the assisting Linux profi also should be part of this VPN so he can SSH to the newbie through NAT). 3. runs SSH server listening on that IP. 4. generates a short random password for the root user and displays it together with its IP from step #2 on the monitor of the newbie. This information (IP and root's password) are communicated by newbie to his Linux profi friend by phone/sms/etc.. >>From this point on the Linux profi can SSH to the box and continue the installation process in text mode. Is something like this possible? Thank you! [1]: https://www.wireguard.com/ [2]: https://linode.com/docs/networking/vpn/set-up-wireguard-vpn-on-ubuntu/ [3]: here is a short demo of how it could be done: https://git.zx2c4.com/WireGuard/tree/contrib/examples/ncat-client-server