Single-user mode w/network & sshd

[mdecheser]

Hello everyone, this is my first post to the community, and I’m hoping to not rehash an already answered question.

I want to have the ability to run Applejack on a remote server via SSH without being at the console.

I know how to set the server to restart in single-user mode:

nvram boot-args="-s"

I’d love to be able to SSH to the server and kick off the Applejack script. I have succeeded in getting the server to start networking, obtain a DHCP IP address (or even claim the IP it’s manually configured to claim) and even SSH out of the server, but I’m unable to SSH *to* the server. I have been using the following home-rolled script to perform these functions:

#/bin/bash
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.kextd.plist
sleep 5
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.notifyd.plist
sleep 3
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.configd.plist
sleep 2
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist
sleep 2
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchAgents/org.openbsd.ssh-agent.plist
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ssh.plist

In addition to the fact that I’m not able to SSH to the server after running this script, I receive a persistent error sent to stdout at the console:

kextd_watch_volumes: couldn't set up diskarb sessions

Eventually, the server will seize.

My assumption is that I’ll need a script that will, at a minimum, perform fsck -fy, mount -uw /, start network services and SSHD. As long as the box is reachable, I can conceivably fire off Applejack manually, then reset NVRAM setting to boot back to Normal mode. I’m assuming everyone here knows that Applejack will only run in single user mode.

I have considered use of a LoginHook to script the fsck/mount/start services steps. I believe those only function when booting into aqua. I have also been researching SystemStarter, but my initial attempts to use this have been so far unsuccessful.

Notes: This server is brand new hardware, reinstalled OSX 10.5.6 from DVD out of the box. For now, the hardware is local, but I am establishing exactly how much hands-on support I’ll need when this server is racked in a remote location.

Can someone shed some light on this? Is single user mode with SSHD even possible?

Thanks in advance!

[mdecheser]

Perhaps I can ask the question in a different way.

I know it’s possible to start networking in single user mode.

Is it possible to start sshd for root-only inbound connections? Or does the very use of sshd imply multi-user?

I know many people have been reading this thread. Any enlightenment would be most appreciated. 🙂

[Author]

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