Audience: Everyone
CD Mode vs USB Mode
NeuralDrive's hybrid ISO image can be used in two distinct ways: as a live environment from a USB drive or as a read-only system from a CD/DVD. The choice of medium significantly impacts the features and persistence of the system.
USB Mode (Recommended)
When NeuralDrive is flashed to a USB drive, it creates a persistence partition that allows for the full suite of features. This is the intended deployment method for most users.
- Persistence: Models, system configurations, and user data are saved to the USB drive and survive reboots.
- Model Management: Downloading and updating models via the WebUI or command line is fully supported.
- Performance: USB 3.0+ provides acceptable I/O speeds for system operations.
CD Mode
If the ISO is burned to a CD or DVD, or booted in an environment where the boot medium is read-only, NeuralDrive operates in a restricted live mode.
- Read-Only System: All system changes are made to a
tmpfs(RAM-based filesystem) and are lost upon reboot. - Disabled Downloads: Since there is no persistent storage on the disc, model downloads are disabled. Users will see a warning: "Downloads disabled — connect external storage."
- Stateless Security: Every boot starts with a clean, known state, making it ideal for high-security environments where no data should remain on the hardware.
Booting to RAM
For CD mode, a specialized "Copy to RAM" (toram) boot option is available in the boot menu. This loads the entire image into system memory, which has several benefits:
- Speed: Operating purely from RAM is faster than reading from an optical drive.
- Drive Availability: Once loaded, the CD can be ejected, freeing the drive for other uses.
- Hardware Compatibility: Requires sufficient RAM (typically 16GB+) to hold both the system and the models.
Comparison and Use Cases
| Feature | USB Mode | CD Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Persistence | Full | None (lost on reboot) |
| Model Downloads | Enabled | Disabled (unless external storage added) |
| Encryption | Supported | Not applicable |
| Typical Use Case | Permanent local LLM server | Evaluation, high-security workstations |
When to Use Each
- USB: Best for regular use, developing with LLMs locally, or setting up a dedicated server for a small team.
- CD: Best for testing hardware compatibility, air-gapped security needs, or environments where the operating system must never be modified.
Tip: If using CD mode but still needing persistent model storage, you can connect a separate USB or SATA drive. NeuralDrive will automatically detect and mount it. For more, see External Storage.
For the initial setup process on either medium, refer to First Boot Setup.