This is by way of being a suggestion for an addition to the Guide and a transfer/removal of some other content. Two patches are attached.
Section 4.3.1 mentions the mini.iso as being suitable to be written to a USB stick. A second partition is automatically created on the stick and a footnote describes how firmware can be put on this second partition. This idea can be extended to any USB stick which has had an isohybrid image written to it so it might be useful to document it in section 6.4.1 and incorporate the information in the footnote in the same place. I've done this by adding an extra paragraph to section 6.4.1 and deleting the present footnote [5] in section 4.3.1. Regards, Brian.
--- manual/en/install-methods/boot-usb-files.xml 2012-10-15 17:12:34.000000000 +0100 +++ manual/en/install-methods/boot-usb-files-new.xml 2012-10-15 18:25:18.000000000 +0100 @@ -41,29 +41,6 @@ for very small USB sticks, only a few megabytes in size, you can download the <filename>mini.iso</filename> image from the <filename>netboot</filename> directory (at the location mentioned in <xref linkend="where-files"/>). -<footnote> - -<para arch="not-s390"> - -A special method can be used to add firmware to the -<filename>mini.iso</filename>. First, write the -<filename>mini.iso</filename> to the USB stick. -Next obtain the necessary firmware files. -See <xref linkend="loading-firmware"/> for more information about firmware. -Now unplug and replug the USB stick, and two partitions should now be visible on it. -You should mount the second of the two partitions, and unpack the firmware onto it. - -<informalexample><screen> -# mount /dev/<replaceable>sdX2</replaceable> /mnt -# cd /mnt -# tar zxvf <replaceable>/path/to/</replaceable>firmware.tar.gz -# cd / -# umount -</screen></informalexample> - -</para> - -</footnote> </para><para>
--- manual/en/using-d-i/loading-firmware.xml 2012-10-11 12:59:51.000000000 +0100 +++ manual/en/using-d-i/loading-firmware-new.xml 2012-10-15 17:25:12.000000000 +0100 @@ -55,6 +55,35 @@ </para><para> +If you have prepared a USB stick using a hybrid CD or DVD image as recommended +in <xref linkend="boot-usb-files"/>, then it is worth considering having the +firmware files or packages on the same stick. This could be useful if you have +only one stick or just want to keep everything you need on one device. The +installer will automatically find the firmware, so you will not be prompted to +provide it. + +</para><para> + +Create a second, FAT partition on the stick, mount the partition +and copy or unpack the firmware onto it. For example: + +<informalexample><screen> +# mount /dev/<replaceable>sdX2</replaceable> /mnt +# cd /mnt +# tar zxvf <replaceable>/path/to/</replaceable>firmware.tar.gz +# cd / +# umount +</screen></informalexample> + +</para><para> + +You might have written the netboot mini.iso to the USB stick. In this +case the second partition doesn't have to be created as it will already +be present. Unplugging and replugging the USB stick should make the two +partitions visible. + +</para><para> + Tarballs and zip files containing current packages for the most common firmware are available from:
