Solaris 10 3/05 for x86: To Boot the Client Over the Network (CDs)

To install the system over the network, you must instruct the client system to boot over the network. Enable network boot on the client system by using the BIOS setup program in the system BIOS, the network adapter BIOS, or both. On some systems, you must also adjust the boot device priority list so that network boot is attempted before booting from other devices. See the manufacturer's documentation for each setup program, or watch for setup program instructions during boot.

Before You Begin

This procedure assumes that you have completed the following tasks.

• Set up an install server. For instructions about how to create an install server from CD media, see x86: Creating an x86 Install Server With CD Media.

• Set up a boot server or a DHCP server, if necessary. If the system you want to install is on a different subnet than the installation server, you must set up a boot server, or use a DHCP server. For instructions about how to set up a boot server, see Creating a Boot Server on a Subnet With a CD Image. For instructions about how to set up a DHCP server to support network installations, see Preconfiguring System Configuration Information With the DHCP Service (Tasks).

• Gathered or preconfigured the information you need to install. You can perform this task in one or more of the following ways.

  • Gather the information in Checklist for Installation.

  • Create a sysidcfg file if you use a sysidcfg file to preconfigure system information. For information about how to create a sysidcfg file, see Preconfiguring With the sysidcfg File.

  • Set up a name server if you use a name service to preconfigure system information. For information about how to preconfigure information with a name service, see Preconfiguring With the Name Service.

  • Create a profile in the JumpStart directory on the profile server if you are using the custom JumpStart installation method. For information about how to set up a custom JumpStart installation, see Chapter 6, Preparing Custom JumpStart Installations (Tasks), in Solaris 10 Installation Guide: Custom JumpStart and Advanced Installations.

This procedure also assumes that your system can boot from the network. If your system cannot boot from the network, you must create a boot diskette to install over the network. See Solaris 10 3/05 for x86: Copying the Boot Software to a Diskette for information about how to create a boot diskette.

Steps

1. Turn on the system.

2. Type the appropriate keystroke combination to enter the system BIOS.

   Some PXE-capable network adapters have a feature that enables PXE boot if you type a particular keystroke in response to a brief boot-time prompt.

3. In the system BIOS, instruct the system to boot from the network.

   See your hardware documentation for information about how to set the boot priority in the BIOS.

4. Exit the BIOS.

   The system boots from the network.

5. When prompted, select an installation type.

   • To install with the Solaris interactive installation GUI, type 1 and Enter.

   • To perform a custom JumpStart installation, type 2 and Enter.

   • To install with the Solaris interactive text installer in a desktop session, type 3 and Enter.

   • To install with the Solaris interactive text installer in a console session, type 4 and Enter.

   The installation program begins.

6. If you are prompted, answer the system configuration questions.

   • If you preconfigured all of the system information, the installation program does not prompt you to enter any configuration information. See Chapter 6, Preconfiguring System Configuration Information (Tasks) for more information.

   • If you did not preconfigure all the system information, use the Checklist for Installation to help you answer the configuration questions.

   If you are using the installation GUI, after you confirm the system configuration information, the Welcome to Solaris dialog box appears.

7. After the system boots and installs over the network, instruct the system to boot from the disk drive on subsequent boots.

See Also

For information about how to complete an interactive installation with the Solaris installation GUI, see To Install or Upgrade With the Solaris Installation Program in Solaris 10 Installation Guide: Basic Installations.