How to install Ubuntu Server on a USB 3.0 stick and boot that stick

This instruction describes how to install Ubuntu Server (in my case 11.04) onto a USB 3.0 stick and make it boot from that stick.

What you will need:

1. A working Linux system
2. gparted – Gnome Partition Editor
3. unetbootin – the universal netboot installer
4. The Ubuntu Server ISO image
5. A USB 2.0 stick with at least 800 MB free space
6. A USB 3.0 stick to install the system onto

1. Installation

1. Use gparted to make a 1 GB FAT16 partition on the USB 2.0 stick
2. Use unetbootin to copy the system ISO to that partition
3. Attach both, the USB 2.0 and the USB 3.0 stick to the computer you want to boot via USB 3.0
   Attach both sticks to USB 2.0 ports!
4. Boot the USB 2.0 stick
5. Select Install Ubuntu Server from the unetbootin menu and press TAB
6. Add the following to the boot options (before the quiet entry):
   
cdrom-detect/try-usb=true

7. Follow the installer’s instructions until the partitioner
8. Create a swap partition and a system partition on the USB 3.0 stick
9. Follow the installer’s instructions
10. After installation is complete, remove the USB 2.0 stick

2. Configuration

1. Keep the USB 3.0 stick attached to the USB 2.0 port and boot that stick
2. Login to the system and open a terminal
3. Type
   
$ sudo nano /etc/initramfs-tools/modules

   and add the following lines
   
xhci_hcd
usbhid
hid
usb_storage

4. Save the file and create a new initrd with
   
$ sudo update-initramfs -u

5. Shut the system down, attach the USB 3.0 stick to a USB 3.0 port and boot